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Authors
Affiliations
1 School of Earth and Environment, Anhui University of Science & Technology, Huainan 232001, CN
2 Environment and Surveying Engineering College, Suzhou University, Suzhou 234000, CN
Source
Nature Environment and Pollution Technology, Vol 16, No 4 (2017), Pagination: 1303-1312
Abstract
With the growth of global population and intense land use changes, the problem of ecological vulnerability has become prominent. Assessment of ecological vulnerability bears significance in protection and restoration of the ecological environment. Assessment results for a given area can reveal regional characteristic differences in system vulnerability and provide basis for the rational use and protection of the natural environment. To analyse the ecological vulnerability in Fuzhou district in China and its causes, systematic assessment and zoning of ecosystem vulnerability were proposed. Using the remote sensing and geographic information system technologies, ecological vulnerability was spatially, explicitly, and comprehensively assessed. Results showed that the most vulnerable areas of Fuzhou district include Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Area, Fuqing City, Fuzhou City and Changle City. Counties of Yongtai, Minhou and Minqing feature good vegetation coverages and low ecological vulnerability. In Fuzhou City, three zones, namely, Taijiang, Gulou and Cangshan Zones, feature high or extremely high percentage vulnerability. The other two zones comprise better ecosystems. Analysis of correlation coefficients between vulnerability value and various indices showed distinct factors of ecological vulnerability for each region. The main factors affecting the ecosystems in Fuqing, Jin’an Zone, and Changle City include climate, vegetation and soil, respectively, whereas the factors that simultaneously affect the ecosystem in Cangshan Zone consist of soil, land use, topography and vegetation. The key challenge in improving ecological vulnerability of these areas is optimization and coordination of land use/coverage under natural conditions. The results can provide basis and reference for future research and relevant formulation, such as the mode of selection of resource utilization and environmental protection, and improvement of key factors.
Keywords
Vulnerability Assessment, Ecological Threats, AHP Method, Remote Sensing, GIS.
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