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Spatial Heterogeneous of Ecological Vulnerability in Arid and Semi-Arid Area: A Case of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China

Author

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  • Rong Li

    (College of the Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Rui Han

    (College of the Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Qianru Yu

    (College of the Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

  • Shuang Qi

    (Department of Geography, National University of Singapore; Singapore 117570, Singapore)

  • Luo Guo

    (College of the Life and Environmental Science, Minzu University of China, Beijing 100081, China)

Abstract

Ecological vulnerability, as an important evaluation method reflecting regional ecological status and the degree of stability, is the key content in global change and sustainable development. Most studies mainly focus on changes of ecological vulnerability concerning the temporal trend, but rarely take arid and semi-arid areas into consideration to explore the spatial heterogeneity of the ecological vulnerability index (EVI) there. In this study, we selected the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on the Loess Plateau of China, a typical arid and semi-arid area, as a case to investigate the spatial heterogeneity of the EVI every five years, from 1990 to 2015. Based on remote sensing data, meteorological data, and economic statistical data, this study first evaluated the temporal‒spatial change of ecological vulnerability in the study area by Geo-information Tupu. Further, we explored the spatial heterogeneity of the ecological vulnerability using Getis-Ord Gi*. Results show that: (1) the regions with high ecological vulnerability are mainly concentrated in the north of the study area, which has high levels of economic growth, while the regions with low ecological vulnerability are mainly distributed in the relatively poor regions in the south of the study area. (2) From 1990 to 2015, ecological vulnerability showed an increasing trend in the study area. Additionally, there is significant transformation between different grades of the EVI, where the area of transformation between a slight vulnerability level and a light vulnerability level accounts for 41.56% of the transformation area. (3) Hot-spot areas of the EVI are mainly concentrated in the north of the study area, and cold-spot areas are mainly concentrated in the center and south of the study area. Spatial heterogeneity of ecological vulnerability is significant in the central and southern areas but insignificant in the north of the study area. (4) The grassland area is the main driving factor of the change in ecological vulnerability, which is also affected by both arid and semi-arid climates and ecological projects. This study can provide theoretical references for sustainable development to present feasible suggestions on protection measures and management modes in arid and semi-arid areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Rong Li & Rui Han & Qianru Yu & Shuang Qi & Luo Guo, 2020. "Spatial Heterogeneous of Ecological Vulnerability in Arid and Semi-Arid Area: A Case of the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:11:p:4401-:d:363879
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhengyuan Zhao & Yunlong Zhang & Siqi Sun & Ting Li & Yihe Lü & Wei Jiang & Xing Wu, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Variations in Grassland Vulnerability on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Based on a Comprehensive Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Han Li & Wei Song, 2021. "Spatiotemporal Distribution and Influencing Factors of Ecosystem Vulnerability on Qinghai-Tibet Plateau," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-21, June.
    3. Xiufen Li & Lining Song & Zunbo Xie & Tian Gao & Tingting Wang & Xiao Zheng & Jiang Liu & Limin Liu, 2021. "Assessment of Ecological Vulnerability on Northern Sand Prevention Belt of China Based on the Ecological Pressure–Sensibility–Resilience Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-15, May.
    4. Dong Li & Chongyang Huan & Jun Yang & Hanlong Gu, 2022. "Temporal and Spatial Distribution Changes, Driving Force Analysis and Simulation Prediction of Ecological Vulnerability in Liaoning Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-25, July.
    5. Szymon Szewrański & Jan K. Kazak, 2020. "Socio-Environmental Vulnerability Assessment for Sustainable Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-5, September.
    6. Hao Liu & Haiguang Hao & Lihui Sun & Tingting Zhou, 2022. "Spatial–Temporal Evolution Characteristics of Landscape Ecological Risk in the Agro-Pastoral Region in Western China: A Case Study of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, October.

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