Long-Term Analysis of Spatial–Temporal Variation in Ecological Space Quality within Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River

Ruijiao Zhang, Zhengxiang Wang (), Lifei Wei, Mingda Zhang, Qikai Lu and Bangqing Chen
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Ruijiao Zhang: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Zhengxiang Wang: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Lifei Wei: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Mingda Zhang: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Qikai Lu: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Bangqing Chen: Dalaoling Nature Reserve Administration of Yichang Three Gorges, Yichang 443000, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-22

Abstract: The assessment of ecological space quality (ESQ) and its spatio-temporal change monitoring are crucial for regional ecological management and sustainable development. However, there are few studies on how to construct a comprehensive ESQ assessment system to reveal the spatial and temporal change patterns of ESQ over a long time series. Therefore, this study constructs an ESQ evaluation model with comprehensive ecological characteristics to quantitatively assess the spatio-temporal dynamics of ESQ from 2001 to 2020 based on policy objectives and public demands, using the urban agglomeration in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River as an example. The results show that, in the past 20 years, the mean value of ESQ in urban agglomeration has decreased (−0.179·year −1 ), and the overall ESQ is dominated by a good level. The ESQ has shifted from improvement (2001–2010) to deterioration (2010–2020) and shows the spatial distribution characteristics of “high in the periphery and center, low in the interior”. From the trend of change, the degraded area of ESQ is greater than the improved area, and the degraded area of ESQ will increase in the future compared with the trend of 2001–2020. The distribution of ESQ has a significant spatial agglomeration and scale effect. The hot spots of ESQ at the town scale are mainly concentrated in the central part of urban agglomeration and mountainous areas in the periphery. The cold spots are mainly concentrated in the surrounding areas of central cities (Wuhan, Changsha, and Nanchang). The proposed assessment framework can be used to quantify spatial and temporal changes in ESQ and identify potential ecological space management issues, providing basic information for implementing ecological space protection, restoration, and developing adaptive ESQ management measures. The research results are of significant importance for ecosystem restoration and long-term development in the Yangtze River Basin.

Keywords: ecological space; ecological space quality; spatial–temporal changes; long-term analysis; urbanization; urban agglomeration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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