Journal of Ecology and Rural Environment ›› 2020, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (8): 1026-1035.doi: 10.19741/j.issn.1673-4831.2019.0931

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Ecological Vulnerability Assessment and Its Temporal and Spatial Changes in Wutai Mountain Area

ZHANG Hui-lin, WU Pan-sheng, HOU Yan-jun   

  1. Department of Geography, Xinzhou Teachers University, Xinzhou 034000, China
  • Received:2019-11-22 Online:2020-08-25 Published:2020-08-21

Abstract: To perform the ecological vulnerability assessment of Wutai Mountain Area,the "ecological sensitivity-ecological resilience-ecological stress" model was used with 11 comprehensively selected indicators. GIS technique, assisted by spatial principal component analysis, gravity center model, and differential analysis, were used to evaluate the ecological vulnerability of Wutai Mountain Area in 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. Furthermore, the temporal and spatial changes were analyzed along with the ecological vulnerability characteristics. The results show that: (1)The average ecological vulnerability index in Wutai Mountain from 2000 to 2015 was 4.83, described as moderately fragile. There were changes in area of each class, but the overall area was within mild and moderate vulnerability levels. Severe vulnerability was present in the north and northeast area. (2)From 2000 to 2015, the gravity center of ecological vulnerability index was within the Fanshi County, and the gravity center shifts were negligible. (3)Ecological vulnerability of three countries within Wutai Mountain Area was moderately fragile during 2000-2015. The Ecological vulnerability index of Fanshi County, Wutai County and Daixian County were in descending order. (4)The ecological vulnerability varied considerably for different land use types. The ecological vulnerability of cultivated land, unused land, urban and rural built up area was relatively high, within a moderately fragile level. Forest and grassland had relatively low ecological vulnerability index, within a mild vulnerability level. This paper aims to quantitatively assess the ecological vulnerability of the Wutai Mountain Area from 2000 to 2015. The results of the research would be helpful to the correctly understanding of the degree of ecological vulnerability in this region and comprehend its spatial differences for further management of eco-fragile areas, promotion of more efficient utilization of resources and maintaining the sustainable development of the ecosystem.

Key words: Wutai Mountain Area, ecological vulnerability, spatial principal component analysis, SPR model, temporal and spatial changes

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