Assessment and Estimation of the Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Landscape Patterns and Their Impact on Habitat Quality in Nanchang, China

Abstract

Assessing and predicting the evolution of habitat quality based on land use change under the process of urbanization is important for establishing a comprehensive ecological planning system and addressing the major challenges of global sustainable development. Here, two different prediction models were used to simulate the land use changes in 2025 based on the land use distribution data of Nanchang city in three periods and integrated into the habitat quality assessment model to specifically evaluate the trends and characteristics of future habitat quality changes, explore the impact of landscape pattern evolution on habitat, and analyze the differences and advantages of the two prediction models. The results show that the overall habitat quality in Nanchang declined significantly during the period 1995–2015. Habitat degradation near cities and in various watersheds is relatively significant. During the period 2015–2025, the landscape pattern and habitat quality of Nanchang will continue to maintain the trend of changes observed between 1995 and 2015, i.e., increasing construction land and decreasing habitat quality, with high pressure on ecological restoration. This study also identified that CA-Markov simulates the quantity of land use better, while FLUS simulates the spatial pattern of land use better. Overall, this study provides a reference for exploring the complex dynamic evolution mechanism of habitats.

Study of Spatiotemporal Changes and Driving Factors of Habitat Quality: A Case Study of the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone in Northern Shaanxi, China

“…The habitat quality module needs data, including land-use type data, habitat threat factors, threat source factor weights, influence distances, and the landscape types' sensitivity to threat sources [16]. This study is based on the InVEST model manual [29] and on previous studies [30][31][32][33][34][35], combined with the actual situation of the study area to determine the relevant parameters and to design the habitat quality module input parameter table (Tables 3 and 4).…”

Spatial pattern evolution and prediction scenario of habitat quality in typical fragile ecological region, China: A case study of the Yellow River floodplain area

“…In the past decades, rapid urbanization has become the main force affecting land use change and landscape pattern, which has brought dramatic influence on the regional ecosystem in China [ 2 ]. Currently, the speedy urbanization has resulted in the significant expansion of construction land, putting enormous pressure on natural habitats and leading to various environmental problems [ 3 ].…”

“…The common method for analyzing habitat quality based on ecological indicators is the InVEST model [ 2 ]. The InVEST model has proven to be more advantageous in both environmental management and land use planning [ 8 ].…”

Spatial and Temporal Variations of Habitat Quality and Its Response of Landscape Dynamic in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

“…Respondents’ subjective factors have a greater influence on the assessment of habitat quality. In comparison, the InVEST model developed by Stanford University and the WWF has been widely used for its accurate quantification, visualization of results, ease of operation and high data processing power [ 24 ]. The habitat quality module of the InVEST model establishes the link between suitability and threats of different land covers, and then assesses the distribution and degradation of habitat quality in different landscape patterns based on the sensitivity of different habitats to threat sources [ 9 ].…”

“…Human activities such as land-use changes, hydrological disturbance, non-point source pollution, over-exploitation and exotic species can accelerate species extinction [ 26 ]. Therefore, the biodiversity and ecosystem functions of the TGR area have to adjust to the newly created landscape configuration and regional context [ 24 ]. To balance biodiversity conservation and the sustainable socio-economic development of the reservoir area, a variety of ecological restoration projects have been implemented.…”