Habitat Quality Dynamics in Urumqi over the Last Two Decades: Evidence of Land Use and Land Cover Changes
The integrity of habitat quality is a pivotal cornerstone for the sustainable advancement of local ecological systems. Rapid urbanization has led to habitat degradation and loss of biodiversity, posing severe threats to regional sustainability, particularly in extremely vulnerable arid zones. Howeve...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Siying Chen Ümüt Halik Lei Shi Wentao Fu Lu Gan Martin Welp |
| author_facet | Siying Chen Ümüt Halik Lei Shi Wentao Fu Lu Gan Martin Welp |
| author_sort | Siying Chen |
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| description | The integrity of habitat quality is a pivotal cornerstone for the sustainable advancement of local ecological systems. Rapid urbanization has led to habitat degradation and loss of biodiversity, posing severe threats to regional sustainability, particularly in extremely vulnerable arid zones. However, systematic research on the assessment indicators, limiting factors, and driving mechanisms of habitat quality in arid regions is notably lacking. This study takes Urumqi, an oasis city in China’s arid region, as a case study and employs the InVEST and PLUS models to conduct a dynamic evaluation of habitat quality in Urumqi from 2000 to 2022 against the backdrop of land use changes. It also simulates habitat quality under different scenarios for the year 2035, exploring the temporal and spatial dynamics of habitat quality and its driving mechanisms. The results indicate a decline in habitat quality. The habitat quality in the southern mountainous areas is significantly superior to that surrounding the northern Gurbantunggut Desert, and it exhibits greater stability. The simulation and prediction results suggest that from 2020 to 2035, habitat degradation will be mitigated under Ecological Protection scenarios, while the decline in habitat quality will be most pronounced under Business-As-Usual scenarios. The spatial distribution of habitat quality changes in Urumqi exhibits significant autocorrelation and clustering, with these patterns intensifying over time. The observed decline in habitat quality in Urumqi is primarily driven by anthropogenic activities, urban expansion, and climate change. These factors have collectively contributed to significant alterations in the landscape, leading to the degradation of ecological conditions. To mitigate further habitat quality loss and support sustainable development, it is essential to implement rigorous ecological protection policies, adopt effective ecological risk management strategies, and promote the expansion of ecological land use. These actions are crucial for stabilizing and improving regional habitat quality in the long term. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
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| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj-art-f02ac6da9ac44098845c82035d7301882025-01-24T13:37:50ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-01-011418410.3390/land14010084Habitat Quality Dynamics in Urumqi over the Last Two Decades: Evidence of Land Use and Land Cover ChangesSiying Chen0Ümüt Halik1Lei Shi2Wentao Fu3Lu Gan4Martin Welp5College of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, ChinaCollege of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, ChinaSchool of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan 250101, ChinaCollege of Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, ChinaPostdoctoral Research Station of Theoretical Economics, School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, ChinaFaculty of Forest and Environment, Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, 16225 Eberswalde, GermanyThe integrity of habitat quality is a pivotal cornerstone for the sustainable advancement of local ecological systems. Rapid urbanization has led to habitat degradation and loss of biodiversity, posing severe threats to regional sustainability, particularly in extremely vulnerable arid zones. However, systematic research on the assessment indicators, limiting factors, and driving mechanisms of habitat quality in arid regions is notably lacking. This study takes Urumqi, an oasis city in China’s arid region, as a case study and employs the InVEST and PLUS models to conduct a dynamic evaluation of habitat quality in Urumqi from 2000 to 2022 against the backdrop of land use changes. It also simulates habitat quality under different scenarios for the year 2035, exploring the temporal and spatial dynamics of habitat quality and its driving mechanisms. The results indicate a decline in habitat quality. The habitat quality in the southern mountainous areas is significantly superior to that surrounding the northern Gurbantunggut Desert, and it exhibits greater stability. The simulation and prediction results suggest that from 2020 to 2035, habitat degradation will be mitigated under Ecological Protection scenarios, while the decline in habitat quality will be most pronounced under Business-As-Usual scenarios. The spatial distribution of habitat quality changes in Urumqi exhibits significant autocorrelation and clustering, with these patterns intensifying over time. The observed decline in habitat quality in Urumqi is primarily driven by anthropogenic activities, urban expansion, and climate change. These factors have collectively contributed to significant alterations in the landscape, leading to the degradation of ecological conditions. To mitigate further habitat quality loss and support sustainable development, it is essential to implement rigorous ecological protection policies, adopt effective ecological risk management strategies, and promote the expansion of ecological land use. These actions are crucial for stabilizing and improving regional habitat quality in the long term.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/84Urumqihabitat qualityPLUS-InVESTland use/land cover changesscenario simulation |
| spellingShingle | Siying Chen Ümüt Halik Lei Shi Wentao Fu Lu Gan Martin Welp Habitat Quality Dynamics in Urumqi over the Last Two Decades: Evidence of Land Use and Land Cover Changes Land Urumqi habitat quality PLUS-InVEST land use/land cover changes scenario simulation |
| title | Habitat Quality Dynamics in Urumqi over the Last Two Decades: Evidence of Land Use and Land Cover Changes |
| title_full | Habitat Quality Dynamics in Urumqi over the Last Two Decades: Evidence of Land Use and Land Cover Changes |
| title_fullStr | Habitat Quality Dynamics in Urumqi over the Last Two Decades: Evidence of Land Use and Land Cover Changes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Habitat Quality Dynamics in Urumqi over the Last Two Decades: Evidence of Land Use and Land Cover Changes |
| title_short | Habitat Quality Dynamics in Urumqi over the Last Two Decades: Evidence of Land Use and Land Cover Changes |
| title_sort | habitat quality dynamics in urumqi over the last two decades evidence of land use and land cover changes |
| topic | Urumqi habitat quality PLUS-InVEST land use/land cover changes scenario simulation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/84 |
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