Forest Fragmentation and Driving Forces in Yingkou, Northeastern China

Lei Zhang, Yanfang Liu and Xiaojian Wei
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Lei Zhang: School of Resource and Environment Sciences, Wuhan University, 129 Luoyu Road, Wuhan 430079, China
Yanfang Liu: School of Resource and Environment Sciences, Wuhan University, 129 Luoyu Road, Wuhan 430079, China
Xiaojian Wei: Key Laboratory of Watershed Ecology and Geographical Environment Monitoring, National Administration of Surveying, Mapping and Geoinformation, Nanchang 330013, China

Sustainability, 2017, vol. 9, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: Forest fragmentation, the process of changing original large and intact forest patches into smaller and isolated areas, significantly influences the balance of surface physical environment, biodiversity, and species richness. Sufficient knowledge of forest fragmentation is necessary to maintain ecological balance and promote sustainable resource utilization. This study combines remote sensing, geographical information systems, and landscape metrics to assess forest fragmentation at landscape and pixel levels during different time periods (2000–2005, 2005–2010, and 2010–2015) in the Yingkou region. Spatial statistical analysis is also used to analyze the relationship between forest landscape fragmentation and its determinants (e.g., natural factors, socioeconomic factors, and proximity factors). Results show that forest patches became smaller, subdivided, and isolated during 2010–2015 at the total landscape level. Local changes occurred in the southwest of the study region or around the development area. Our data also indicate that shrinkage and subdivision were the main forest fragmentation processes during three times, and attrition became the main forest fragmentation process from 2010 to 2015. These changes were significantly influenced by natural factors (e.g., elevation and slope), proximity factors (e.g., distance to city and distance to province roads), and socioeconomic factors (e.g., gross domestic product). Results presented in this study provide valuable insights into the pattern and processes of forest fragmentation and present direct implications for the protection and reasonable utilization of forest resources.

Keywords: land-use change; forest fragmentation; driving forces; forest protection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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