Ecological security assessment of Xilingol grassland in China using DPSIRM model

The quantitative evaluation of the ecological security can reflect the changes in the quality of ecological environment and provide a scientific basis for the formulation of land-use policy and for the construction of the ecological environment. In this study, we selected Xilingol League in Inner Mongolia, China, as the research area, and established the driving force-pressure-state-impact-response-management (DPSIRM) model to evaluate grassland ecological security. The results were as follows: (1) During 2005-2015, the overall trend of ecological security level in the study area increased, with the western region being relatively ecologically insecure and the eastern region being more secure. (2) The spatial distribution trend of ecological security level from west to east was very serious alerts -> serious alerts -> moderate alerts -> light alerts -> no alert . (3) The very serious alerts and serious alerts are mainly concentrated in Sonid Left Banner and Sonid Right Banner, but from the perspective of spatial migration of ecological security, unsafe and less safe tend to shift to the northeast. This study provides a new idea for grassland ecological security evaluation research, has important practical significance for understanding the ecological security level of Xilingol grassland area, and will guide the reasonable development and utilization of Xilingol grassland.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the grassland ecological security in Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia, China, using the DPSIRM model, and found that the overall ecological security level in the area has increased from 2005 to 2015, with the western region being relatively insecure and the eastern region being more secure. The study also revealed a decreasing trend of ecological security level from west to east, and the unsafe and less safe areas tend to shift to the northeast.