Evaluation on the Change Characteristics of Ecosystem Service Function in the Northern Xinjiang Based on Land Use Change

Yang Wang, Remina Shataer, Tingting Xia, Xueer Chang, Hui Zhen and Zhi Li
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Yang Wang: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Western Arid Region Grassland Resources and Ecology, College of Grassland Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
Remina Shataer: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Western Arid Region Grassland Resources and Ecology, College of Grassland Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
Tingting Xia: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Western Arid Region Grassland Resources and Ecology, College of Grassland Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
Xueer Chang: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Western Arid Region Grassland Resources and Ecology, College of Grassland Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
Hui Zhen: Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Western Arid Region Grassland Resources and Ecology, College of Grassland Science, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
Zhi Li: State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 17, 1-17

Abstract: Monitoring the interannual changes in land use and the temporal and spatial characteristics of the ecosystem services value (ESV) can help to comprehensively and objectively understand the distribution of regional ecological patterns. The mountain–oasis–desert transition zone in the northern Tianshan Mountain region of Xinjiang, China, is a geographically unique area with a highly sensitive ecosystem. As a data source, the study uses Landsat TM images from 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2018 along with GIS-extracted data to calculate the dynamic degree of land use. As well, the spatial and temporal patterns of land use change and ESV are quantitatively analyzed by using the equivalent factor method, sensitivity index, and spatial correlation studies. The results reveal the following: (1) From 1990 to 2018, the land use changes in the northern Tianshans are relatively drastic, mainly due to the increase in cultivated land, grassland and construction land, and the decrease in forest land, water, and unused land. (2) The ESV increases and then decreases, for a total loss of about 271.63 × 10 8 yuan. The largest decrease is in forest value, and the largest increase (around 129.94%) is in construction land. (3) The spatial distribution pattern of ESV in the northern Tianshans is apparent, showing high in the north and southwest, and low in the central and southeast portions of the study area. Additionally, there is a visible spatial correlation and aggregation in ESV. The present research can provide theoretical support for the environmental protection of the ecologically vulnerable area of the northern Tianshans as well as for further construction across the region.

Keywords: land use; ecosystem service value; spatial correlation; the northern Tianshans (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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