Evaluation of Landscape Ecological Integrity in the Yulin Region, China

Yuqiong Shi, Ninglian Wang, Tuansheng Li, Han Wang, Huanhuan Kang and Xiaohui Shi
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Yuqiong Shi: College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu 030801, China
Ninglian Wang: College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi’an 710124, China
Tuansheng Li: College of Earth Science and Resources, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, China
Han Wang: College of Earth Science and Resources, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, China
Huanhuan Kang: College of Earth Science and Resources, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710054, China
Xiaohui Shi: Key Laboratory of Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity in Shaanxi Province, Xi’an 710124, China

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-13

Abstract: We developed a framework and an index to evaluate landscape ecological integrity. The framework was applied to the Yulin region (Shaanxi Province, China) to evaluate its overall ecological integrity and the effect of the Grain for Green Project on landscape ecological integrity. Landscape ecological integrity (LEI) is the ability of an ecosystem to maintain its self-organization capacity, stability, and diversity in structure and function. A landscape having high ecological integrity has three major characteristics: complex structure, high self-organization capacity, and a high level of stability. The LEI can be evaluated using five indicators: landscape fragmentation, connectance, ecological sensitivity, diversity, and vegetation productivity. The results indicate that the LEI in the Yulin region was relatively low during the period from 2000 to 2015. From 2000 to 2005, areas of very low and low LEI decreased, and areas of moderate and high LEI increased. From 2005 to 2010, areas of low and high LEI decreased, and areas of moderate LEI increased. Furthermore, from 2010 to 2015, areas of very low and low LEI increased, and areas of moderate and high LEI decreased. Overall, the LEI of the region was low, but increased between 2000 and 2010, and decreased between 2010 and 2015. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that the Grain for Green Project in the Yulin region has been successful in improving regional LEI.

Keywords: landscape fragmentation; landscape connectance; landscape ecological sensitivity; landscape diversity; vegetation productivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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