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Impacts of Large Hydropower Projects on the Ecological Environment of Watersheds: A Case Study of Ertan Reservoir Area

Author

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  • Yixian Xiao

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Li He

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Xin Chen

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Zhengwei He

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Yangqi Lai

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Fang Luo

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Yuxin Cen

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Dan Li

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

  • Run Jin

    (State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
    College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China)

Abstract

Ertan Hydroelectric Power Station was the first large-scale water conservancy facility in western China, and with its completion, the ecological pattern of the reservoir area has changed dramatically; however, the changes in habitat quality before and after the completion of the reservoir have not yet been systematically monitored and evaluated. In this study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal characteristics of the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI), used CA-Markov model and GeoDetector, evaluated the ecological environment of the Ertan Reservoir area in each five-year period from 1995 to 2020, simulated the ecological quality of the Ertan Reservoir area in 2025, and revealed the nine drivers and their interactions affecting ecological quality of the watershed from a geologic point of view, and finally put forward reasonable planning and targeted protection suggestions. Finally, rational planning and targeted protection recommendations were proposed. The main results were as follows: (1) After the completion of the Ertan Hydropower Station, the spatial distribution of the RSEI in the reservoir area varied significantly, with a trend of “rising-declining-rising” in time, and the area share of “good” area increased the most, by 19.83%. (2) The degree of grading of each driving factor had different degrees of influence on the size of the RSEI value, and its interaction enhanced the spatial differentiation of the RSEI. (3) The average value of the RSEI is 0.66 in 2025, and the ecological environment quality will show a steady improvement in five years. The results of the study can provide a reference for constructing RSEI indicators for large hydropower facilities.

Suggested Citation

  • Yixian Xiao & Li He & Xin Chen & Zhengwei He & Yangqi Lai & Fang Luo & Yuxin Cen & Dan Li & Run Jin, 2024. "Impacts of Large Hydropower Projects on the Ecological Environment of Watersheds: A Case Study of Ertan Reservoir Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-23, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:20:p:9125-:d:1503334
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yizhuo Liu & Tinggang Zhou & Wenping Yu, 2024. "Analysis of Changes in Ecological Environment Quality and Influencing Factors in Chongqing Based on a Remote-Sensing Ecological Index Mode," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Alistair W. R. Seddon & Marc Macias-Fauria & Peter R. Long & David Benz & Kathy J. Willis, 2016. "Sensitivity of global terrestrial ecosystems to climate variability," Nature, Nature, vol. 531(7593), pages 229-232, March.
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