Ecological Indicators (Oct 2023)
Comprehensive assessment of ecological risks of Island destinations — A case of Mount Putuo Island, China
Abstract
Comprehensive assessment of the ecological risks of oceanic island destinations is conducive to determining the characteristics and rules of ecological risks brought by oceanic island tourism development. The purpose of this study is to scientifically examine and study the ecological risks of oceanic island destinations and seek for sustainable development, taking Mount Putuo Island of Zhoushan in China as a case. Based on the landscape ecological risk (ERI) assessment results, pressure-state-response (PSR) ecological risks assessment results of tourism development, and the overlay function of ArcGIS, we carried out a study about comprehensive assessment of ecological risks of oceanic island destinations. The results showed that: (1) From 2010 to 2019, the areas of low-level and medium–low-level ERIs on Mount Putuo Island decreased, whereas the areas of medium-level and medium–high-level ERIs increased year by year, with growth rates of 6.038% and 8.99%, respectively. (2) The results of ecological risks of tourism development showed that the construction of risk tourist attractions, tourism service facilities, tourism accommodations, and commercial facilities is critical to promoting the gradual increase in medium-level and medium–high-level areas. (3) The analysis of comprehensive ecological risks revealed that from 2010 to 2019, the areas of low ecological risks regions decreased significantly, whereas the areas of medium and high ecological risks regions spread from south to north in a concentrated way mainly near the tourist attractions of Mount Putuo Island, with significant hierarchical characteristics and spatial effects. The research results can provide theoretical basis and decision-making reference for the management and monitoring of the ecological security of oceanic island destinations.
