Spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and interaction effects of carbon storage and habitat quality in Hutuo River Basin under fragmentation

Abstract

[Objective] Clarifying the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of carbon storage and habitat quality in the context of ecological land fragmentation, as well as their interaction effects, is crucial for regional ecosystem protection and management.[Methods]Taking the Hutuo River Basin as the research object, the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of habitat quality and carbon storage were quantitatively analyzed and their correlation with the comprehensive landscape fragmentation index of ecological land was explored by using the land use dynamic rate, land use transfer matrix, comprehensive landscape fragmentation index, In VEST model, FRAGSTATS 4. 2 software, and geographically and temporally weighted regression( GTWR) model. [Results] The result showed that:(1) from 2000 to 2020, the area of ecological land in the river basin showed a decreasing trend, while the mean value of the comprehensive landscape fragmentation index for ecological land increased with fluctuations.(2) The habitat quality in the Hutuo River Basin exhibited a declining trend, dropping from 0. 42 in 2000 to 0. 38 in 2020. Regions with relatively high habitat quality were mainly concentrated in the central part, northwestern edge, and southeastern part of the study area.(3) Carbon storage in the Hutuo River Basin showed a gradual decreasing trend, falling from 320. 23×10⁶ t in 2000 to 313. 81×10⁶ t in 2020.(4) The fragmentation of ecological land had a negative effect on both habitat quality and carbon storage. The interaction between habitat quality and carbon storage exhibited significant regional differences, with an overall positive correlation but variations in the intensity and pattern of the interaction. [Conclusion] The findings can provide theoretical guidance for ecological land protection, habitat quality improvement, and ecosystem restoration in similar river basins.

Keywords

crushing / habitat quality / carbon storage / ecological land use / landscape index / ecological restoration / GTWR model / influencing factors