Spatial and Temporal Changes in Land Use and Landscape Pattern Evolution in the Economic Belt of the Northern Slope of the Tianshan Mountains in China

Abstract

The economic belt on the north slope of the Tianshan Mountains is a highly productive area in Xinjiang, but with the rapid development of the economy and industry and the acceleration of urbanization in recent years, the fragile ecological environment in the region has further deteriorated. Exploring shifts in land utilization across different eras and regions, along with the transformation of terrain configurations, provides key perspectives that can propel sustainable societal and environmental growth within this particular area. The research analyzed four periods (1990, 2000, 2010, 2020) of remote sensing image data combined with field monitoring data using methods such as land use variability, landscape pattern index, and grey relational model. Focusing on investigating the dynamics of the ecological environment in high-intensity human activity areas, examining alterations in land use patterns over time and space, transitions in land use types, and trends in landscape pattern indices. (1) The dominant land environments situated in the economic zone adjacent to the northern base of the Tianshan mountain range encompass extensive expanses of grassy plains and unexploited landscapes, making up 45% and 38% of the area, correspondingly. The single dynamic change degree of construction land was the largest due to the implementation of long-term land development and urbanization policies. Land use transfer change mainly occurred among cultivated land, grassland, forestland, and unused land. With strong human activities, the construction land area has expanded by 145.16% (2089.7 km2), and this number is still increasing. (2) The spatial landscape structure on the north slope of Tianshan Mountain is becoming more complicated and diversified; the cities with the highest degree of fragmentation were concentrated in the middle and western sections. Grassland is the most dominant patch type in the landscape. The shape of patches tends to be irregular and complex in general, and the fragmentation degree and dispersion degree of landscape patches are enhanced as the proportion of different landscape types increases. (3) Grey correlation analysis indicates that grasslands, cultivated land, and unused land are key elements in the landscape pattern changes on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. Central urban agglomeration is an area with strong landscape pattern changes, and ecological protection should be emphasized while promoting economic development.