Remote Sensing-Based Assessment of Eco-Environmental Quality Dynamics and Driving Forces in the Anhui Section of the Yangtze-to-Huaihe Water Diversion Project (2015–2024)

Xiaoming Qi (), Qian Li, Qiang Han, Bowen Li, Le Liu, Zhikong Shi, Yuanchao Ou and Dejian Wang
Additional contact information
Xiaoming Qi: College of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu 233000, China
Qian Li: College of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu 233000, China
Qiang Han: College of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu 233000, China
Bowen Li: College of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu 233000, China
Le Liu: Anhui Provincial Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Hefei 230000, China
Zhikong Shi: Anhui Provincial Institute of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Hefei 230000, China
Yuanchao Ou: College of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu 233000, China
Dejian Wang: College of Civil and Hydraulic Engineering, Bengbu University, Bengbu 233000, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-19

Abstract: The water source protection areas of the Yangtze-to-Huaihe Water Diversion Project (YHWDP) in Anhui Province serve as crucial ecological barriers to water quality protection. Quantifying their eco-environmental quality (EEQ) dynamics and driving mechanisms is critical for sustainable management. This paper calculated the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) for the study area using Landsat satellite data (2015–2024). Temporal and spatial variation characteristics were analyzed using the Theil–Sen estimator, Mann–Kendall test, and coefficient of variation. Future trends were predicted using the Hurst exponent. Finally, the Geodetector model was applied to assess the impact of driving factors. EEQ exhibited a declining trend ( p < 0.05), with significant intra-regional heterogeneity. Mean RSEI values ranked as follows: (1) Yangtze River–Huaihe River Connection < Yangtze River Water Northward Conveyance < Yangtze River–Chaohu Lake Water Diversion. (2) From 2015 to 2024, eco-environmental quality improved significantly, showing a spatial pattern of “south > north, east > west.” (3) Overall EEQ changes were characterized by slight to moderate fluctuations. Stability rankings: Yangtze River–Huaihe River Connection > Yangtze River–Chaohu Lake Water Diversion > Yangtze River Water Northward Conveyance. (4) Geodetector analysis identified precipitation, impervious area, and vegetation coverage as the primary factors influencing EEQ in the YHWDP’s water source protection areas. This study reveals ecological changes in the YHWDP region and validates the effectiveness of the comprehensive evaluation method. The findings provide actionable insights for ecological protection in large-scale water diversion projects.

Keywords: eco-environmental quality; Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI); Geodetector; Yangtze-to-Huaihe Water Diversion Project (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7329/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/16/7329/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:16:p:7329-:d:1723877

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().