Analysis of spatial and temporal changes in human interference in important ecological function areas in China: the Gansu section of Qilian Mountain National Park as an example.

Abstract

The disturbance characteristics and driving factors of human activity intensity in national parks are important factors affecting environmental change in ecological function areas. In-depth analysis of these must be the basis of improving the ecological environment in northwest China. This study selected data related to human activities from 2000 to 2020 to analyze the comprehensive impact of human interference on national park development and found that the NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) of Qilian Mountain National Park showed an increasing trend and that the NPP (net primary productivity) showed spatial distribution characteristics of decreasing from east to west during the study period. This showed that human interference in and around the national park was changing significantly and that the high value area was gradually shifting southward. In the first decade, economic and social development was slow; related industries such as industry, tourism, and modern agriculture were not introduced on a large scale; and the ecological environment was in relatively good condition, with relatively weak human interference. However, in the second decade, human interference was prominent, with deeper ecological damage, but rapid economic development. Infrastructure development, population urbanization, and traditional production and living practices were the main factors driving changes in human interference. The Chinese government's proposed green building policy will further reduce the ecological impact of human activities while ensuring economic development. Building upon this, the present paper puts forth a "zero-disturbance" framework for national parks, aiming to offer recommendations for the future development of such parks.