Integrated Assessment and Restoration Pathways for Holistic Ecosystem Health in Anxi County, China

Tianyuan Zhu, Shuming Zhang, Yubo Wang, Cuiping Wang and Haowei Wang ()
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Tianyuan Zhu: Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China
Shuming Zhang: Anxi Natural Resources Administration, Quanzhou 362400, China
Yubo Wang: School of Big Data and Software Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, China
Cuiping Wang: College of Harbour and Coastal Engineering, Jimei University, Xiamen 361021, China
Haowei Wang: Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-22

Abstract: Different types of ecosystems form a complex community of life. Hence, ecosystem protection and restoration should not focus solely on a single ecosystem. Ecosystem health assessments should consider the integrity and systematicity of interrelated ecosystems to inform rational environmental planning and management. In this study, the key characteristic indicators of major ecosystems (mountain, water, forest, and cropland) and ecosystem service capacity indicators in Anxi County, China, were selected to construct an integrated assessment system of ecosystem health that led to integrated ecosystem restoration pathways that addressed the county’s ecological problems. The results revealed that ecosystem health was higher in the western and lower in the eastern parts of the county. Throughout the county, “medium” and “poor” ecosystem health levels predominated, revealing that overall ecosystem sustainability was weak. Ecosystem restoration programmes should be tailored to each health level. Where there was “excellent” and “good” ecosystem health ratings, those healthy ecosystem functions should be strengthened and maintained. In the “medium” health areas, the control and prevention of ecological problems should be strengthened. “Poor” health areas require immediate integrated ecological restoration projects that ensure the connectivity and coordination of restoration tasks in fragile ecosystems. This then will enhance holistic ecosystem stability and sustainability.

Keywords: ecosystem health; ecosystem community; ecological conservation and restoration; ecosystem services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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