Impacts of multi-scenario land use change on ecosystem services and ecological security pattern: A case study of the Yellow River Delta

The Yellow River Delta(YRD), a critical economic zone along China's eastern coast, also functions as a vital ecological reserve in the lower Yellow River. Amidst rapid industrialization and urbanization, the region has witnessed significant land use/cover changes(LUCC), impacting ecosystem services(ES) and ecological security patterns(ESP). Investigating LUCC's effects on ES and ESP in the YRD is crucial for ecological security and sustainable development. This study utilized the PLUS model to simulate 2030 land use scenarios, including natural development(NDS), economic development(EDS), and ecological protection scenarios(EPS). Subsequently, the InVEST model and circuit theory were applied to assess ES and ESP under varying LUCC scenarios from 2010 to 2030. Findings indicate:(1) Notable LUCC from 2010 to 2030, marked by decreasing cropland and increasing construction land and water bodies.(2) From 2010 to 2020, improvements were observed in carbon storage,water yield, soil retention, and habitat quality, whereas 2020–2030 saw increases in water yield and soil retention but declines in habitat quality and carbon storage. Among the scenarios, EPS showed superior performance in all four ES.(3) Between 2010 and 2030, ecological sources, corridors, and pinchpoints expanded, displaying significant spatial heterogeneity. The EPS scenario yielded the most substantial increases in ecological sources,corridors, and pinchpoints, totaling 582.89 km^(2), 645.03 km^(2),and 64.43 km^(2), respectively. This study highlights the importance of EPS, offering insightful scientific guidance for the YRD's sustainable development.

Factors Influencing the Thermal Conductivity of Silt in the Yellow River Delta

The thermal conductivity of marine sediments is an important thermophysical parameter in the study of seafloor heat flow and marine engineering construction.Understanding the effect of thermal conductivity of marine sediments in the environment has a major engineering value and theoretical significance.In this work,a modified test method was used to measure the thermal conductivity of silt in the Yellow River Delta under different void ratios,moisture contents,temperatures,and salinities.Results showed that the thermal conductivity of silt in the Yellow River Delta decreased with the increase in the void ratio and increased with the water content.Compared with sand and clay,silt in the Yellow River Delta was the least affected by the void ratio and moisture content.Under low temperatures,the heat transfer of soil was controlled by the average velocity of the phonons;therefore,the thermal conductivity of silt in the Yellow River Estuary increased with temperature.The thermal conductivity of pore water decreased with increasing salinity.Moreover,certain salinity levels resulted in a phenomenon known as the‘compressing twin electrical layer’,which led to an increase in the contact area between soil particles.With the increase in salinity,the thermal conductivity of silt in the Yellow River Delta experiences an initial decline and a subsequent increase.The proposed thermal conductivity test method is more accurate than the existing technique,and the findings provide a basis for further study on the thermal characteristics of submarine sediments.

Spatial differentiation and dynamic mechanism of micro-geomorphology based on acoustic spectrum data of the Huanghe(Yellow)River Delta

Submarine micro-geomorphology is a geo-morphological type occurring in shallow and surface areas of seabed.The combined relationships and distribution of the micro-geomorphology indirectly reflect coupling relationships among the sediment deposition,dynamic environment,and geomorphologic evolution.Spatial differentiation and dynamic changes in micro-geomorphology were studied based on acoustic data interpretation from a wide range(3200 km^(2))of the Huanghe(Yellow)River delta(HRD).The combination of the sub-bottom profiler and the side-scan sonar methods allowed for the identification of submarine shallow micro-geomorphologic types,as well as their scale and spatial distributions.There were seven typical micro-geomorphologic features in the shallow and surface areas of the HRD,including buried ancient channels,stratigraphic disturbances,scour troughs,sand waves,pits,erosional remnants,and sand spots.The coupling and superposition of the sediment,sediment characteristics,seabed scouring and silting,and hydrodynamic conditions of the Huanghe River had combined effects on the patterns of micro-geomorphologic types,characteristics,and ranges.From the perspective of acoustic profile interpretations,the scale,range,and spatial locations of the microgeomorphology in the HRD revealed seasonal variation characteristics,and the spatial distributions displayed significant regional differentiation characteristics.In addition,strong stratigraphic disturbances and areas with densely distributed buried ancient channels reflected the activity and instability of the submarine shallow strata.Through the interpretation of the sub-bottom profile detection data,the diversion processes of the flow paths in the lower reaches of the Huanghe River were obtained for a certain historical period in the coastal waters of the HRD.This study further clarified the relationships between the micro-geomorphologic features and spatial combinations,which is important for research on micro-geomorphologic features and their dynamic mechanisms.

Dynamic Changes in the Wetland Landscape Pattern of the Yellow River Delta from 1976 to 2016 Based on Satellite Data

The Yellow River Delta wetland is the youngest wetland ecosystem in China's warm temperate zone. To better understand how its landscape pattern has changed over time and the underlying factors responsible, this study analyzed the dynamic changes of wetlands using five Landsat series of images, namely MSS(Mulri Spectral Scanner), TM(Thematic Mapper), and OLI(Operational Land Imager) sensors in 1976, 1986, 1996, 2006, and 2016. Object-oriented classification and the combination of spatial and spectral features and both the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI) and Normalized Difference Water Index(NDWI), as well as brightness characteristic indices, were used to classify the images in eCognition software. Landscape pattern changes in the Yellow River Delta over the past 40 years were then delineated using transition matrix and landscape index methods. Results show that: 1) from1976 to 2016, the total area of wetlands in the study area decreased from 2594.76 to 2491.79 km^2, while that of natural wetlands decreased by 954.03 km^2 whereas human-made wetlands increased by 851.06 km^2. 2) The transformation of natural wetlands was extensive: 31.34% of those covered by Suaeda heteropteras were transformed into reservoirs and ponds, and 24.71% with Phragmites australis coverage were transformed into dry farmland. Some human-made wetlands were transformed into non-wetlands types: 1.55% of reservoirs and ponds became construction land, and likewise 21.27% were transformed into dry farmland. 3) From 1976 to 2016, as the intensity of human activities increased, the number of landscape types in the study area continuously increased. Patches were scattered and more fragmented. The whole landscape became more complex. In short, over the past 40 years, the wetlands of the Yellow River Delta have been degraded, with the area of natural wetlands substantially reduced. Human activities were the dominant forces driving these changes in the Yellow River Delta.

Response of delta sedimentary system to variation of water and sediment in the Yellow River over past six decades

In order to find out the variation process of water-sediment and its effect on the Yellow River Delta, the water discharge and sediment load at Lijin from 1950 to 2007 and the decrease of water discharge and sediment load in the Yellow River Basin caused by human disturbances were analyzed by means of statistics. It was shown that the water discharge and sediment load into the sea were decreasing from 1950 to 2007 with serious fluctuation. The human activities were the main cause for decrease of water discharge and sediment load into the sea. From 1950 to 2005, the average annual reduction of water discharge and sediment load by means of water-soil conservation practices were 2.02×10^9 m^3 and 3.41×10^8 t respectively, and the average annual volume by water abstraction for industry and agriculture were 2.52×10^10 m^3 and 2.42×10^8 t respectively. The average sediment trapped by Sanmenxia Reservoir was 1.45×10^8 t from 1960 to 2007, and the average sediment retention of Xiaolangdi Reservoir was 2.398×10^8t from 1997 to 2007. Compared to the data records at Huanyuankou, the water discharge and sediment load into the sea decreased with siltation in the lower reaches and increased with scouring in the lower reaches. The coastline near river mouth extended and the delta area increased when the ratio of accumulative sediment load and accumulative water discharge into the sea （SSCT） is 25.4-26.0 kg/m^3 in different time periods. However, the sharp decrease of water discharge and sediment load into the sea in recent years, especially the Yellow River into the sea at Qing 8, the entire Yellow River Delta has turned into erosion from siltation, and the time for a reversal of the state was about 1997.

Spatiotemporal Variation of Plant Diversity Under a Unique Estuarine Wetland Gradient System in the Yellow River Delta, China

Multiple natural and human factors in estuarine wetlands result in complicated land surface characteristics with distinct spatial and temporal heterogeneities,thereby contributing to the difficulty in identifying spatiotemporal variations and influencing factors of plant diversity.A unique estuarine wetland gradient system(UEWGS)consisting of soil,vegetation,heat,distance,landscape,and anthropogenic gradients was established based on the ecological features of estuarine wetland through remote sensing and field investigation methods.It resolved the complicated land surface characteristics,covered all aspects of factors influencing plant diversity,and possessed distinct spatiotemporal heterogeneities.The Yellow River Delta,the largest estuarine wetland in the northern China,was selected as the study area to demonstrate UEWGS in four seasons in 2017.A total of 123 species were recorded with considerable seasonal difference.Phragmites australis,Suaeda salsa,and Tamarix chinensis were the dominant species,and crop species also played important roles.In single effect,all aspects of gradients exerted significant influences,yet only vegetation gradient possessed significant influences in all seasons.In comprehensive effect,soil,vegetation,heat,and distance gradients showed significant gross influences.Moisture content in soil gradient and net primary productivity in vegetation gradient possessed significant net influences in all seasons and can be considered as the main driving factor and indicator,respectively,of plant diversity.The results validated the significance of UEWGS in revealing the plant diversity spatiotemporal characteristics and influencing factors,and UEWGS possessed universal applicability in the spatiotemporal analysis of plant diversity in estuarine areas.

Causes of Wetland Degradation and Ecological Restoration in the Yellow River Delta Region

Yellow River delta （YRD） is one of the biggest deltas that there is a large area of wetland in the world. Thanks to soil （sands） sediment carried by the Yellow River, there was averagely the newly formed land 21.3 km^2 in YRD. During the development of petroleum industry and urban expansion, wetlands were degraded due to population growth, irrational land use, in addition to adverse natural eco-environment such as lower precipitation, higher soil evaporation and soil salinazation. The major ecological measures to restore degraded wetland concerned with ensuring water supply, especially establishing perfect irrigation works; protecting virgin plant communities and assisting them to regenerate by the way of site preparation, improving living surroundings; introducing salt-tolerant plants to increase vegetation species and plant coverage, thereby enhancing the capability of wetland to combat contamination and pollution through plant remediation, uptake, absorption, etc. Finally making a comprehensive land use plan, accordingly removing deleterious facilities.

Tupu methods of spatial-temporal pattern on land use change:a case study in the Yellow River Delta

Comprehensive study on land-use change of spatial pattern and temporal process is the key component in LUCC study nowadays. Based on the theories and methods of Geo-information Tupu (Carto-methodology in Geo-information, CMGI), integration of spatial pattern and temporal processes of land-use change in the Yellow River Delta (YRD) are studied in the paper, which is supported by ERDAS and ARC/INFO software. The main contents include: (1) concept models of Tupu by spatial-temporal integration on land-use change, whose Tupu unit is synthesized by "Spatial·Attribute·Process" features and composed of relatively homogeneous geographical unit and temporal unit; (2) data sources and handling process, where four stages of spatial features in 1956, 1984, 1991, and 1996 are acquired; (3) integration of series of temporal-spatial Tupu, reconstruction series of "Arising" Tupu, spatial-temporal Process Tupu and the spatial temporal Pattern Tupu on land-use change by remap tables; (4) Pattern Tupu analysis on land-use change in YRD during 1956-1996; and (5) spatial difference of the Pattern Tupu analysis by dynamic Tupu units. The various landform units and seven sub-deltas generated by the Yellow River since 1855 are different. The Tupu analysis on land-use in the paper is a promising try on the comprehensive research of "spatial pattern of dynamic process" and "temporal process of spatial pattern" in LUCC research. The Tupu methodology would be a powerful and efficient tool on integrated studies of spatial pattern and temporal process in Geo-science.

Biogenic Sedimentary Structures of the Yellow River Delta in China and Their Composition and Distribution Characters

The biogenic sedimentary structures （i.e., the morphology and trace makers of burrows, tracks, trails and traces made by extant organisms） and their composition and distribution characters in different micro environments and sub environments of the Yellow River delta in China are described. Three ichnocoenosis can be recognized： （1） Steinichnus-like ichnocoenosis, includes F, Y-shaped traces, birds＇ footprints on bedding plane, and Y, U-shaped burrows in intrastratal bedding, produced by Coleoptera （Heteroceridae）, Orthoptera （Gryllotalpidae） and birds. It is majorly found at the delta plain point bar deposits, denoting the fresh water-related terrestrial environments. （2） Steinichnus-Psilonichnus-like ichnocoenosis, consitsis of Steinichnus-like traces on the bedding plane and Psilonichnus-like burrow which a vertical, irregularly J-, Y-, or U-shaped burrows, some of them with bulbous basal cells burrows in the intrastratal bedding, created by Coleoptera （Heteroceridae）, Orthoptera （Gryllotalpidae） and crabs. It is observed in the delta plain abandoned distributary channels, and the delta front tidal creek and subaquous distributary channels, indicating the brackish water environment. （3） Palaeophycus-like ichnocoenosis, includes the round entrance burrows or with craters-shaped loop-protrusionsand and the parallel forked trails on the bedding plane, and the U, J or vertical shaped feeding burrows are in the intrastratal bedding, majorly produced by the clam （bivalve molluscs）, gastropods and Nereis. It is present in the subaqueous interdistributary bay, reflecting the intertidal related environment.

Effect of Hydrological Connectivity on Soil Carbon Storage in the Yellow River Delta Wetlands of China

Hydrological connectivity has significant effects on the functions of estuarine wetland ecosystem.This study aimed to examine the dynamics of hydrological connectivity and its impact on soil carbon pool in the Yellow River Delta,China.We calculated the hydrological connectivity based on the hydraulic resistance and graph theory,and measured soil total carbon and organic carbon under four different hydrological connectivity gradients(Ⅰ0‒0.03,Ⅱ0.03‒0.06,Ⅲ0.06‒0.12,Ⅳ0.12‒0.39).The results showed that hydrological connectivity increased in the north shore of the Yellow River and the south tidal flat from 2007 to 2018,which concentrated in the mainstream of the Yellow River and the tidal creek.High hydrological connectivity was maintained in the wetland restoration area.The soil total carbon storage and organic carbon storage significantly increased with increasing hydrological connectivity fromⅠtoⅢgradient and decreased inⅣgradient.The highest soil total carbon storage of 0‒30 cm depth was 5172.34 g/m^(2),and organic carbon storage 2764.31 g/m^(2)inⅢgradient.The hydrological connectivity changed with temporal and spatial change during 2007‒2018 and had a noticeable impact on soil carbon storage in the Yellow River Delta.The results indicated that appropriate hydrological connectivity,i.e.0.08,could effectively promote soil carbon storage.

Seasonal and Spatial Variations of Macro Benthos in the Intertidal Mudflat of Southern Yellow River Delta,China in 2007/2008

In order to examine the seasonal and spatial distributions of benthic animals in the intertidal mudflat of the southern Yellow River Delta,field investigations were carried out in 2007 and 2008 and multiple methods were applied.Results showed that,the biomass of macro benthos ranged at 0.75-1151.00 g wet m^(-2) and averaged at 156.31 g wet m^(-2),in which Mactra veneriformis accounted for 75.6%-93.4% of the total macro benthic biomass.More than 90% of macro benthos inhabited in the middle and low tide lines,and higher biomass occurred in early summer and lower in winter.Statistical analysis showed that:1)M.veneriformis growth was primarily favored at higher temperature and lower salinity;2)after long time interaction,benthic bivalve grazers led to patching distributions of Chlorophyll a(Chl a);3)macro benthic biomass positively related with Chl a when the concentration of Chl a was low,but they were negatively related when Chl a concentration was high;and 4)furthermore,the biomass of benthic bivalves peaked in the sediment with median grain size about 0.55 mm,but decreased gradually in coarse or fine sediments.The secondary productivity ranged at 0.37-283.68 g m^(-2)yr^(-1) and averaged at 47.88 g m^(-2) yr^(-1),in which 69.7% was contributed by M.veneriformis It was estimated that primary production was transformed to secondary production at a rate of 6.87%approximately,which implies that there is a local sustainability of high bivalve production.

Spatial and environmental effects on plant communities in the Yellow River Delta,Eastern China

Types and structure of plant communities in the Yellow River Delta were investigated by using detrended canonical correspon-dence analyses(DCCAs) and a two-way indicator species analysis(TWINSPAN).The distribution pattern and influential factors of the plant communities were also analyzed by testing elevation, slope, soil characteristics, longitude and latitude of 134 vegetation samples collected by representative plot sampling methods.Results showed that all the 134 vegetation samples could be divided into seven vegetation groups, separately dominated by Robinia pseucdoacacia, Imperata cylindrical, Miscanthus saccharifleus, Suaeda salsa, Aeluropus sinensis, Phragmites australis and Tamarix chinensis.The vegetation distribution pattern was mainly related to elevation, ground water depth and soil characteristics such as salinity and soluble potassium.Among the factors affecting distribution pattern of the plant communities, the species matrix explained by non-spatial environmental variation accounts for 45.2% of total variation.Spatial variation and spatial-structured environmental variation explain 11.8%, and 2.2%, respectively.Remained 40.8% of undetermined variation is attributed to biological and stochastic factors.

Remote Monitoring of Expansion of Aquaculture Ponds Along Coastal Region of the Yellow River Delta from 1983 to 2015

Aquaculture ponds are one of the fastest-growing land use types in valuable and fertile coastal areas and have caused serious environmental problems. Quantitative assessment of the extent, spatial distribution, and dynamics of aquaculture ponds is of utmost importance for sustainable economic development and scientific management of land and water resources in the coastal area. An object-oriented classification approach was applied to Landsat images acquired over three decades to investigate the long-term change of aquaculture ponds in the coastal region of the Yellow River Delta. The results indicated that the aquaculture ponds in the study area undergone a sharp expansion from 40.38 km^2 in 1983 to 1406.89 km^2 in 2015, and the fast expansion occurred during the period of 2010–2015 and 1990–2000. Natural wetlands, especially mudflat, and cropland were main land use types contributing to the increase of aquaculture ponds. The patches of aquaculture ponds were consequently prevalence in the north of the Yellow River Estuary and landscape metrics indicated an increase of the aquaculture ponds of the study area in the quantity and complexity. The expansion of aquaculture ponds inevitably had negative effects on the coastal environment, including loss of natural wetlands, water pollution and land subsidence, etc. The results from this study provide baseline data and valuable information for efficiently planning and managing aquaculture practices and for effectively implementing adequate regulations and protection measures.

Saline-alkali land in the Yellow River Delta: amelioration zonation based on GIS

Soil salinization is one of the major land degradation types and has greatly influenced sustainable agricultural development. Zonation of saline-alkali land is the precondition for effective amelioration. The present situation of saline-alkali land is monitored by remote sensing image processing. Causes for land salinization are analyzed, especially the two key factors, ground water depth and its mineralization degree, are analyzed by using long-term observation data. Previously, zonation of saline-alkali soil was made descriptively and artificially. Based on the present situation of saline-alkali land, ground water depth and ground water mineralization degree, the zonation of saline-alkali land for amelioration in the Yellow River Delta was completed quantitatively. Four different types of saline-alkali land amelioration zones are delineated, namely, easy ameliorated zone, relatively difficult ameliorated zone, difficult ameliorated zone and unfavorable ameliorated zone. Countermeasures for ameliorating saline-alkali soils are put forward according to ecological conditions of different saline-alkali land zones.

Effects of Tidal Channels and Roads on Landscape Dynamic Distribution in the Yellow River Delta, China

Landscape characters in estuarine regions generally controlled by tidal regimes and human activities like road construction.In this work,tidal channels and road construction in the Yellow River Delta(YRD)were extracted by visual interpretation methods so as to decipher impacts of tidal channel development and road construction on landscape patch change during 1989–2016.Spatial distribution history of three wetlands,which covered by Phragmites australis(freshwater marsh,FM),Suaeda salsa(salt marsh,SM),and mudflats(MD)were also established.Results indicated that tidal channel,number,frequency,and fractal dimension were all the maximum in 2003,and the minimum in 1998,respectively.Road length,number,and density showed increasing trend during 1989–2016.MD were the predominant landscape type,followed by FM and SM during 1989-2016.Principal component analysis implied two extracted factors,F1 and F2,which could represent 91.93% of the total variations.F1 mainly proxied tidal channel development,while F2 represented road construction.A multiple linear regression analysis showed positive effects of both F1 and F2 on FM patch numbers and negative impacts on SM patch areaes with R^2 values of 0.416 and 0.599,respectively.Tidal channels were negatively related to MD patch numbers,while roads were positively related to that.In any case,road construction showed larger impacts on landscape type shifting than that of tidal channel development in the YRD.

The comprehensive evaluation on resource environmental bearing capacity of central cities in the Yellow River Delta-A case study on Dongying City

Dongying City, which is the most important central city in the Yellow River Delta, is located in the estuary of the Yellow River. With a short land formation time, ecological environment is very weak in this area. To realize the sustainable economic development of the Yellow River Delta, resource environment and resource environmental bearing capacity(REBC) must be improved. This study builds assessment system of regional REBC through resource and economic characteristics in Yellow River Delta and uses principal component analysis(PCA) method to evaluate REBC of five counties and districts in Dongying City in 2011-2015 on the dimensions of time and space. Results show that, on the time dimension, Guangrao County is ranked first, Dongying district second for four years and Hekou and Kenli districts with lower ranks in 2012-2015, indicating that more attention needs to be paid to REBC of Hekou and Dongying districts and these two districts should be included into key monitoring areas. From space scale, REBC in five counties and districts has been gradually improving. In order to further develop REBC in Dongying City, measures such as intensifying protection of urban ecological environment and developing circular economy, etc. should be implemented.

Changes of Coastal Wetland Ecosystems in the Yellow River Delta and Protection Countermeasures to Them

Coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta are typical new wetland ecosystems in warm temperate zone. In recent years, influenced by natural and human factors, these coastal wetlands in the Yellow River Delta have undergone changes of landscape fragmentation, vegetation degradation, pollution, species reduction, and harmful exotic species invasion. These changes have influenced sustainable and healthy development of marine economy of the Yellow River Delta. To protect natural ecological environment of the Yellow River Delta, the authors recommended that it should establish and improve policies, laws and regulations of wetland protection; carry out wetland resource investigation and assessment and monitoring; strengthen comprehensive protection and control of wetland; reduce wetland degradation and promote sustainable use of wetland.

A Preliminary Study of Rill Marks in the Yellow River Delta

In recent years, the flow of the Yellow River has often been interrupted, which has resulted in exposure of channel bars and point bars, and even extensive exposure of the riverbed. Consequently, a large number of rill marks have developed. They are diverse in morphology. According to the hydrodynamic types of their formation, they can be grouped into 6 categories, i. e. the wave eroded, backwash, seepage, rain eroded, water drainage and runoff rill marks. Morphologically, they can be divided into more than ten types: the linear, tooth shaped, comb shaped, fence like, ear like, braided, branched, leaf like, flower like, root like, dendritic, net like, radial etc. Their cross sections include the broad u type (the width/depth ratio is over 2, and may reach 10—20), U type (width/depth ratio from 1 to 2), V type, Ω type and ( type. Their occurrences may be attributed to the variations in composition, grain size, color, fabric and morphology. They have 5 scales: the micro scale (length and width within 1 cm), small scale (length and width within 10 cm), medium scale (length and width ranging from 10—100cm), large scale (length and width 1—5 m) and giant-scale (length or width over 5 m).

The Shengli I Point Bar on the Yellow River Delta: Three-Dimensional Structures and Their Evolution

Point bars are well developed on the Yellow River delta, an~ which theShengli I point bar is the most typical. The point bar, being about 4 km in length and several tensto more than 100 meters in width, is located on the south side of the Shengli Bridge in KenliCounty, Dongying, Shandong. It is a typical fine-grained point bar with silt, which is predominant,some clay and minor plant debris and clay boulders. The Shengli I Point bar has complicated 3-Dstructures. Firstly, in a plane view, it comprises mainly eight sedimentary units, bar edge, baredge, bar platform, bar plain, bar channel, bar gully, bar pond and bar bay, developing side by sideand superimposed one by one m a complex way. Secondly, its vertical structures are very complex dueto the partial superimposition of the 8 sedimentary units. Besides hydatogenesis, very intensivewind erosion, eolian, ice and meltwater actions are also visible on the Shengli I point bar. Thecomplex form is made even more complicated because of the above co-actions.

Increased salinity and groundwater levels lead to degradation of the Robinia pseudoacacia forest in the Yellow River Delta

Forest degradation is a worldwide problem,although its causes vary due to geographical and climatic differences and man-made causes.In recent years,the Robinia pseudoacacia forest in the Yellow River Delta has suffered severe degradation.The causative mechanisms were investigated in the field over two years,and the results show that increased forest degradation was reflected by increased tree mortality,high leaf and soil sodium salt levels and groundwater depth.Average tree diameters decreased,and leaf chlorophyll and soil microbial contents decreased.Redundancy discriminate analysis(RDA)showed that degradation of the forest was correlated positively with soil salt content,but negatively with groundwater depth.Correlation analysis showed that 0.79%–0.95%soil salt content and above 1.20 m groundwater depth caused the death of R.pseudoacacia trees due to localized anthropogenic economic activities,such as rice farming,that disrupted the original water–salt balance.Measures are recommended to prevent further degradation and restore degraded forests.