A study on the dynamic evaluation of ecosystem health in the Yangtze river Basin of China

Abstract

Healthy basin ecosystems are a key factor for guaranteeing the sustainable growth of regional economies and societies. Basin health assessments results are crucial for identifying the ecological environment’s current state and fostering the basin’s long-term development. This study includes the “management” aspect to the traditional “driving force-pressure-state-impact-response” model to develop the “driving force-pressure-state-impact-response-management” model. In this study, the health status of the ecosystem of the Yangtze River Basin was investigated from six different perspectives and multiple dimensions. Results show: (1) From 2010 to 2020, the ecosystem health index of the Yangtze River Basin exhibits a fluctuating upward trend with a level 3 ecological health status, which falls under the sub-health category. (2) Obvious spatial differences exist in the ecological health level of the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin. Among them, the ecological health index in the downstream area increased from 0.4662 to 0.5546, showing a clear recovery trend. The ecological health index in the middle reaches decreased from 0.5338 to 0.4633 and then increased to 0.5304. The ecological health of the watershed first deteriorated and is now recovering. The ecological health index in the upstream area decreased from 0.5004 to 0.4822, showing a deteriorating trend. (3) Indicators of status and impact are the primary factors affecting the ecosystem health of the Yangtze River Basin, whereas indicators of management are declining. The findings provide a theoretical framework for government departments to create watershed management policies.