Analysis of spatial and temporal evolution of ecological environment quality and driving force in Taohe River Basin

Abstract

[Objective] The accurate analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution of watershed ecological environmental quality and its driving factors can provide scientific support for the comprehensive management and high-quality development of the watershed. [Methods] Using the Tao River Basin as an example, a Remote Sensing Ecological Index(RSEI) was constructed by coupling indices of greenness, humidity, temperature, and dryness to evaluate the ecological environmental quality of the basin. The spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of the ecological environmental quality in the Tao River Basin from 1990 to 2020 were then analyzed. On this basis, geographic detectors and structural equation models were introduced to explore the direct and indirect responses of the basin's ecological environmental quality to natural and human factors. [Results] The results show that the average RSEI in the study area first decreased and then increased over time. The ecological environmental quality levels in the watershed transitioned from large areas of poor and very poor to large areas of medium and good. Climate and terrain have a positive influence on the distribution of RSEI, while urbanization has a negative influence. The impact of land use types on RSEI first showed a negative and then positive relationship. The positive impact of climate gradually weakened, while the negative impact of urbanization gradually intensified. [Conclusion] The ecological environmental quality of the Tao River Basin has generally improved over time. The analysis of spatial pattern changes and driving factors can provide scientific support and practical guidance for comprehensive watershed management.

Keywords

ecological environment quality / remote sensing ecological index / geodetector / structural equation modeling / Taohe River Basin / influencing factors / climate change / human acticities