Comprehensive Evaluation of the Importance of Ecological Land in Arid Hilly Cities in Northwest China: A Case Study of the Core Urban Area of Lanzhou

Yiping Liu, Chengpeng Lu, Jinhuang Mao, Jiaxing Pang, Zhiliang Liu and Muchen Hou
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Yiping Liu: Institute of County Economic Development & Rural Revitalization Strategy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Chengpeng Lu: Institute of County Economic Development & Rural Revitalization Strategy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Jinhuang Mao: Institute of County Economic Development & Rural Revitalization Strategy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Jiaxing Pang: College of Earth and Environment Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Zhiliang Liu: Institute of County Economic Development & Rural Revitalization Strategy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China
Muchen Hou: Institute of County Economic Development & Rural Revitalization Strategy, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-18

Abstract: Cities in hilly arid areas of northwest China have generally experienced a low level of economic development; they also have unique natural characteristics such as climate, soil, terrain, environment, and surface cover. High quality ecological lands are those that provide humans and the environment with relatively high levels of ecological services including soil, water, and air purification, adsorbing pollutants, or providing water or nutrients needed by plants. In this study, ecological lands were classified as woodland, grassland, water area, and bare land. The present study constructed an ecological land model designed to evaluate the importance of such land from the perspective of ecological service function and ecological demand intensity. Results revealed that: (1) This model can help researchers to better analyze the structure and spatial characteristics of ecological land in cities and also meet the needs of ecological protection and urban management in highly urbanized areas. (2) In terms of ecological service function and ecological demand intensity, the most important ecological land is mostly distributed in densely populated and urbanized areas, and the spread of urbanization is conducive to the improvement of land ecological value for the arid hilly area of northwest China. (3) Among all types of ecological land, the water area had the highest ecological value in the study area, while the grassland had the most potential for improvement, as careful planning and use can allow grassland to function as an ecological barrier while providing good, aesthetically pleasing space for leisure activities for the general public. (4) Qilihe and Xigu districts have more generally important graded areas of forest, grassland, and bare land, although the current ecological value of these lands is limited, though they have great potential for ecological improvement.

Keywords: ecological land; ecological function; ecological demand; comprehensive evaluation; northwest China; Lanzhou city (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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