Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Landscape Pattern and Vegetation Ecological Quality in Sanjiangyuan National Park

Xiangbin Peng, Ruomei Tang (), Junjie Li, Huanchen Tang and Zixi Guo
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Xiangbin Peng: College of Art & Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Ruomei Tang: College of Art & Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
Junjie Li: College of Fashion and Design, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
Huanchen Tang: College of Fashion and Design, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
Zixi Guo: College of Art & Design, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China

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

Abstract: As one of China’s largest national parks, Sanjiangyuan National Park (SNP) plays a crucial role in preserving ecological security and biodiversity. Conducting a scientific evaluation of dynamic changes in vegetation ecological quality and landscape patterns within the park is essential for ensuring its sustainable development and conservation as a national ecological security barrier. This study analyzed the spatial and temporal dynamics of vegetation ecological quality index (VEQI) and Landscape Pattern Metrics (LPM) in SNP using the VEQI model and Fragstats 4.2.1, along with spatial correlation analyses spanning from 2007 to 2022. The findings indicated an overall upward trend in VEQI, with a notable increase of approximately 38.88% over the 15-year period. Particularly in the Yangtze River Source Park, VEQI exhibited the most significant increase, reaching 48.99%. Furthermore, forest and shrub cover types displayed higher VEQI values and demonstrated an increasing trend, signifying significant ecological improvement in these ecosystems. Regarding landscape patterns, patch density (PD) and landscape shape index (LSI) demonstrated an increasing trend, while average patch area and edge density (ED) gradually decreased, indicating a rising level of landscape fragmentation. High values of the largest patch index (LPI) were primarily concentrated in the Lancangjiang source park, the Yellow River source park, and the southern part of the Yangtze River source, suggesting greater ecological connectivity in these regions. Spatial autocorrelation analysis between VEQI and LPM revealed significant spatial heterogeneity. Specifically, VEQI exhibited positive correlations with LPI and mean patch area, while showing negative correlations with PD, ED, PR, TE, NP, and mean shape index. This indicates that areas with lower vegetation ecological quality tend to exhibit higher landscape fragmentation and complexity. The study’s findings highlight the increasing trend in VEQI and changing landscape fragmentation within SNP, offering a scientific foundation for ecological protection policy formulation and sustainable park development.

Keywords: landscape pattern; national park; land use changes; spatiotemporal change; vegetation quality (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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