Forest Fragmentation and Driving Forces in Yingkou, Northeastern China

Abstract

Forest fragmentation, the process of changing original large and intact forest patches into smaller and isolated areas, significantly influences the balance of surface physical environment, biodiversity, and species richness. Sufficient knowledge of forest fragmentation is necessary to maintain ecological balance and promote sustainable resource utilization. This study combines remote sensing, geographical information systems, and landscape metrics to assess forest fragmentation at landscape and pixel levels during different time periods (2000-2005, 2005-2010, and 2010-2015) in the Yingkou region. Spatial statistical analysis is also used to analyze the relationship between forest landscape fragmentation and its determinants (e.g., natural factors, socioeconomic factors, and proximity factors). Results show that forest patches became smaller, subdivided, and isolated during 2010-2015 at the total landscape level. Local changes occurred in the southwest of the study region or around the development area. Our data also indicate that shrinkage and subdivision were the main forest fragmentation processes during three times, and attrition became the main forest fragmentation process from 2010 to 2015. These changes were significantly influenced by natural factors (e.g., elevation and slope), proximity factors (e.g., distance to city and distance to province roads), and socioeconomic factors (e.g., gross domestic product). Results presented in this study provide valuable insights into the pattern and processes of forest fragmentation and present direct implications for the protection and reasonable utilization of forest resources.

Protecting the patches from the footprints: examining the land use factors associated with forest patches in Atewa range forest reserve

“…This study outcome suggests that the forest patches would likely be larger in an area far away from the access roads as compared to patches that are closer to the access roads. In a similar study in northeastern China [ 39 ], it was found that forest patches that are closer to roads (highways) are more likely to be smaller as compared to the patches that are far away from the roads. Moreover, the outcome of our study corroborates a related study from tropical forest environments (Indonesia, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, Suriname, and Mexico) which shows that more forests are left intact in areas farther from roads away as compared to forest patches that are within proximity to roads [ 53 ].…”

“…Hence, we present methods from geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing and statistics to process geospatial data and show the relationship between land uses and forest cover patches. A similar approach has been used successfully in a study to model forest fragmentation, land use and other factors in northeastern China [ 39 ]. This study presents important information that reflects environmental, social and economic conditions and directly informs forest policies and management plans about the need to protect forest resources and ensure sustainable land uses in and around protected landscapes.…”

Measurement of Ecological Land Use/Cover Change and Its Varying Spatiotemporal Driving Forces by Statistical and Survival Analysis: A Case Study of Yingkou City, China

“…The region covers 527,500 ha, and mountainous areas account for approximately 50% of the area. Benefiting from these topographic and geography features, the area has abundant forest and wetland resources, making up about 46% and 6% of the total area, respectively [41]. Over the past 15 years, the region has undergone remarkably rapid economic growth and urbanization, and a considerable decrease in forest land and wetlands [41].…”

“…Benefiting from these topographic and geography features, the area has abundant forest and wetland resources, making up about 46% and 6% of the total area, respectively [41]. Over the past 15 years, the region has undergone remarkably rapid economic growth and urbanization, and a considerable decrease in forest land and wetlands [41]. Therefore, the natural resources should be analyzed and monitored in Yingkou, to protect natural environment and ecosystem processes.…”

“…These land use/cover maps represent the same data sources, processing methods, and classification systems, and they are the most appropriate data to identify changes in land use/cover. Overall accuracies were approximately 90% and the Kappa coefficient was 0.8 [41,42]. The land use/cover classification system included cropland, forest land, urban land, wetlands, and other land.…”