Correlation between Spatial-Temporal Changes in Landscape Patterns and Habitat Quality in the Yongding River Floodplain, China

The watershed habitat, especially floodplains, is often impacted by the interaction between the natural environment and human activities, and the fragile ecological balance is easily disturbed. Therefore, the study of the changes in habitat quality in floodplains is significant for the reconstruction of damaged habitats. In this study, the landscape patterns and habitat quality in the Yongding River floodplain from 1967 to 2018 were evaluated. We employed spatial analysis to explore the characteristics and correlation of its spatio-temporal pattern change. Our results show that, first, the overall landscape pattern of the Yongding River floodplain was dominated by arable land and forestland while the construction land expanded. Second, the landscape pattern tended toward fragmentation, and the degree of landscape complexity increased. Third, the habitat quality was generally above the medium level. However, the low-quality area continued to increase. Furthermore, there was a strong correlation between habitat quality and the Aggregation Index, Diversity Index, and the area of water and forestland. In this context, the protection of the integrity and diversity of the landscape, reducing or even prohibiting the loss of water and forestland habitats, and restoring the ecological river, should be strengthened. The contribution of this paper provides a scientific reference to the comprehensive management and ecological restoration of river ecosystems.

Automated summary

In this study, the changes in landscape patterns and habitat quality in the Yongding River floodplain from 1967 to 2018 were evaluated. The results showed that the landscape pattern was dominated by arable land and forestland while construction land expanded. The landscape tended to fragmentation and complexity increased. Habitat quality was generally above medium level, but low-quality areas increased. There was a strong correlation between habitat quality and the Aggregation Index, Diversity Index, and water and forestland area.