Exploring coupling coordination between urbanization and ecosystem quality （1985-2010）： a case study from Lianyungang City, China

Urbanization processes affect the ecosystem through alterations in ecological functions and landscape patterns. Currently, analysis of the total ecosystem services value （ESV） has targeted the overall benefits which human beings obtain from the regional ecosystem but does not generally include information regarding ecological struc- tures and patterns. Therefore, the results cannot reflect the comprehensive state of the local ecosystem. We propose a new, integrative ecosystem quality indicator based on the ESV and landscape metrics for evaluating the quality of the regional ecosystem. We adopted the method of a coupled degree of coordination for evaluating the interrelationship between urbanization and ecosystem quality in Lianyun- gang City from 1985 to 2010. The coupling degree of coordination between urbanization and ecosystem quality showed an inverse U-shaped curve. At the primary stage of urbanization （1985-1995）, the degree of coupling of urbanization and the ecosystem was just barely balanced. From 1995 until 2000, the coupling system reached a balanced condition, in which the urbanization level increased. Since 2000, the urbanization process has accelerated. The coordination between urbanization and the ecosystem achieved the optimum condition in 2005. A turning point appeared at the same time, and the degree of coupling coordination began falling from the optimum. Subsequently, the coupled system once more entered a barely balanced state. Overall, the comprehensive level of ecosystem quality decreased since 1985 and degraded sharply after 2005, suggesting an overall degradation of the local ecosystem quality.

New Framework for Evaluating Ecosystem Quality in Nature Reserves based on Ideal References and Key Indicators

With increasing numbers and types of nature reserves(NRs),objective evaluation and comparison of the effects of different nature NRs on conservation efforts are of great importance for protecting species diversity,ensuring reasonable national economic input,and adjusting government management schemes.Developing a method for the combined assessment of flagship or umbrella species and ecosystem quality will improve the evaluation of NRs.However,it is also important to establish a new framework for rapid evaluation of ecosystem quality,supported by the advantages of scientific,economic,and regular principles.Here,we proposed a new framework that incorporates the novel concept of ideal references into evaluation systems,which will facilitate the comparison of results from different periods and regions.Furthermore,from the perspective of making the framework as objective,rapid,and economical as possible,we recommended some key ecological indicators,such as net primary productivity,soil organic matter,plant diversity,for use in the new evaluation framework.The new framework,referred to as“ideal reference and key indicators”(IRKI),can sufficiently meet the requirements for the rapid evaluation of ecosystem quality both regionally and nationally.Furthermore,IRKI can identify the restoration potential and restoration periods of NRs,thus facilitating the rational distribution of resources and enhancing the protective effect.There are many types of NRs in China,and it is necessary to partially alter the assessment methods or parameters for different types of NRs.Overall,IRKI provides a simple,clear,and comparable framework that will strongly enhance the conservation of protected areas(PAs)and facilitate the standardization of management practices.

Temporal and spatial responses of ecological resilience to climate change and human activities in the economic belt on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, China

In the Anthropocene era,human activities have become increasingly complex and diversified.The natural ecosystems need higher ecological resilience to ensure regional sustainable development due to rapid urbanization and industrialization as well as other intensified human activities,especially in arid and semi-arid areas.In the study,we chose the economic belt on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains(EBNSTM)in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China as a case study.By collecting geographic data and statistical data from 2010 and 2020,we constructed an ecological resilience assessment model based on the ecosystem habitat quality(EHQ),ecosystem landscape stability(ELS),and ecosystem service value(ESV).Further,we analyzed the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of ecological resilience in the EBNSTM from 2010 to 2020 by spatial autocorrelation analysis,and explored its responses to climate change and human activities using the geographically weighted regression(GWR)model.The results showed that the ecological resilience of the EBNSTM was at a low level and increased from 0.2732 to 0.2773 during 2010–2020.The spatial autocorrelation analysis of ecological resilience exhibited a spatial heterogeneity characteristic of"high in the western region and low in the eastern region",and the spatial clustering trend was enhanced during the study period.Desert,Gobi and rapidly urbanized areas showed low level of ecological resilience,and oasis and mountain areas exhibited high level of ecological resilience.Climate factors had an important impact on ecological resilience.Specifically,average annual temperature and annual precipitation were the key climate factors that improved ecological resilience,while average annual evapotranspiration was the main factor that blocked ecological resilience.Among the human activity factors,the distance from the main road showed a negative correlation with ecological resilience.Both night light index and PM2.5 concentration were negatively correlated with ecological resilience in the areas with better ecological conditions,whereas in the areas with poorer ecological conditions,the correlations were positive.The research findings could provide a scientific reference for protecting the ecological environment and promoting the harmony and stability of the human-land relationship in arid and semi-arid areas.

Potential Impacts and Challenges of Climate Change on Water Quality and Ecosystem:Case Studies in Representative Rivers in China

气候变化对水质与水生态的潜在影响已经成为当前必须面对的新问题和新挑战,这也引起了世界各国科学家和政府的高度关注。但是,由于它的复杂性和不确定性,目前针对该问题的科学研究和科学实践仍然十分有限。本文首先回顾了近年来国内外相关研究成果,并指出了研究现状与现实需要之间的差距。另外,基于作者在淮河和汉江的相关研究成果,我们认为,人类活动和经济发展所产生的排污是造成水质与水生态恶化的最重要的原因,同时,气候变化在此基础上具有推波助澜的增益作用,气候变化主要通过改变水温和水文情势进而影响水质和水生态。本文最后讨论了适应性对策的内涵,认为适应性对策应该包括适应方式和适应能力建设两个主要方面,适应性对策应该尽可能地具有针对性和可操作性。本文对今后的相关研究可起澄清概念和指明方向的作用。

Study on Regulating Effects of "Aquatic Environment Protection Oriented Fishery" on Water Environment of Qiaodun Reservoir

In order to evaluate the regulating effect of ＂ aquatic environment protection oriented fishery＂ on aquatic ecosystem,the water quality,plankton community structure,biomass,diversity index,eutrophication index and ecosystem maturity evaluated with Ecopath model were compared from 2010 to 2012 in Qiaodun Reservoir of Zhejiang Province. It was indicated that the water quality had been improved obviously. The water transparency maximally increased by 130%,while TP,TN and CODCrwere reduced. The density and biomass of the plankton were decreased,so was the ratio of Cynobacteria in phytoplankton community. The Shannon-Weaver index was increased; the trophic level was decreased; the ecosystem maturity was improved. By all accounts,the ＂ aquatic environment protection oriented fishery＂ had positive effects on maintaining the balance of reservoir ecosystem and ensuring the safety of drinking water.