Ecological Indicators (Oct 2023)
How to prevent landscape ecological risk with a land use optimal allocation system: An empirical study of the Yellow River Delta in China
Abstract
Irrational land use is a key factor in triggering regional landscape ecological risk (LER). Existing studies have focused on the relationship between land use change and LER, but it is still unclear how to prevent the risk through the land use optimal allocation (LUOA). To fill these gaps, this study innovatively designs a research framework that follows the logic of “risk assessment – suitability assessment – potential identification – optimal allocation – risk avoidance”. Using methods such as LER index, land use suitability (LUS) evaluation model and spatial overlay analysis, this study investigates the path and feasibility of LER prevention from the perspective of LUOA. The Yellow River Delta (YRD) with frequent interactions between society and ecosystem is taken as a case study. The results are as follows: (1) There was an inverse relationship between LER and comprehensive LUS in the YRD. In inland areas of the YRD, LER was relatively stable, while the comprehensive LUS was characterized by multi-suitability. In the coastal areas of the YRD, the level of LER was generally high, while the comprehensive LUS was characterized by single suitability and unsuitability; (2) The land use comprehensive development potential (LUCDP) was significant in the YRD, with a spatial distribution trend that increased from the coastal to the inland areas. This pattern reflects different orientations of the positive interaction between nature and society and land use support areas; and (3) After conducting LUOA, cultivated land, forest land, and grassland increased by 395 km2, 196 km2, and 174 km2, respectively. The wetlands, construction land, and unused land increased by 32 km2, 248 km2, and 319 km2, respectively. After recalculation, the above scheme can prevent the regional LER. In summary, the present study offered a new approach for achieving a mutually beneficial outcome between landscape ecological risk management and land use optimization, which is significant for the ecological management of river estuary areas in China and in the world.
