Arid Zone Research ›› 2022, Vol. 39 ›› Issue (1): 258-269.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2022.01.25

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Spatio-temporal variation of ecological vulnerability in Xinjiang and driving force analysis

SUN Guili1,2(),LU Haiyan1,ZHENG Jiaxiang1,LIU Yanyan1,RAN Yajun1   

  1. 1. College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China
    2. Key Laboratory of Forestry Ecology and Industrial Technology in Arid Areas, Urumqi 830052, Xinjiang, China
  • Received:2020-12-21 Revised:2021-02-16 Online:2022-01-15 Published:2022-01-24

Abstract:

Ecological vulnerability assessment is an important way to understand regional ecological conditions. There are great significance for regional ecological protection and construction. This study establishes ecological vulnerability evaluation index system based on the SRP model, analyze the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and driving forces of ecological vulnerability in Xinjiang from 2000 to 2018. The main conclusions are as follows: (1) From 2000 to 2018, the ecological sensitivity index was generally at moderate sensitivity, showing high in the southeast and low in the northwest, and it was greatly affected by landscape fragmentation and soil erosion. The ecological resilience index was mainly affected by vegetation coverage, high in northwest and low in southeast, and it was relatively stable, mainly low-recovery states. The ecological stress index was mainly influenced by per capita GDP, agricultural dependence, and population density. It was high in the northern, southern mountainous areas and central Oasis and mountainous, and low in the southeast. (2) Ecological vulnerability was overall moderate to severely fragile level from 2000 to 2018 in Xinjiang. In north and south of Xinjiang, there are low vegetation coverage, low rainfall, and high aridity, so higher ecological fragility was observed. In contrast, the high-altitude areas dominated by woodlands and grasslands in central area are rich in biodiversity, and so ecological vulnerability was relatively low. Overall, the comprehensive index of ecological vulnerability showed an initial increasing trend, followed by a decrease. (3) Drivers of ecological vulnerability in Xinjiang, agricultural dependence, population density, and land reclamation rate of anthropogenic factors and habitat quality index, landscape fragmentation, landscape resilience index, and annual average precipitation of natural environmental factors are mainly single factors. The interaction of these factors, including habitat quality index, landscape resilience index, landscape fragmentation index, vegetation coverage, and regional human activities are the main driving forces.

Key words: SRP model, ecological vulnerability, spatiotemporal distribution, driving force, Xinjiang