Coupling research on functional regionalization and ecological vulnerability in the Jinsiwan Forest Park

Abstract

For reasonable land-use planning and effective utilization of systems to reveal ecological vulnerability of different functional zones, functional requirements of the Jinsiwan Forest Park in Sanming City, Fujian Province, the study area, were analyzed and categorized. Spatial distribution of environmental vulnerability was analyzed by choosing slope, vegetation coverage, and the potential human disturbance factor to establish an evaluation system of ecological vulnerability for a comprehensive evaluation. Moreover, the relationship between functional utilization and ecological vulnerability was analyzed by applying a coupling degree model. Results showed that the study area was divided into four functional ecological zones including: water conservation (631.01 hm2 or 37.1%), soil and water conservation (844.91 hm2 or 49.7%), an overlapping area of water conservation with soil and water conservation (219.90 hm2 or 12.9%), and landscape and recreation (4.91 hm2 or0.3%). Ecological vulnerability in the study area was mainly in Zone Ⅱ (0.2 < IEV ≤ 0.4) and Zone Ⅲ (0.4 < IEV ≤ 0.6). The areas of low vulnerability were mainly distributed in the central parts of the study region; whereas, areas of high vulnerability were located around the edges. The vulnerability of different functional areas differed with landscape and recreation mainly belonging to Zone Ⅳ (0.6 < IEV ≤ 0.8), soil and water conservation as well as the overlapping area of water conservation with soil and water conservation belonging to Zone Ⅲ, and water conservation belonging to Zone Ⅱ. There was almost a high coupling between each function and the corresponding vulnerability zone. Thus, there was a close relationship. The study has a guidance for the optimization of land use in the Jinsiwan Forest Park and maintaining ecological health and stability.