Ecological Security Assessment of Qinghai Province in China Based on a Pressure-State-Response Model

Abstract

AbstractA Pressure-State-Response (PSR) model framework was used to construct an ecological security assessment index system and to evaluate the degree of ecological security for Qinghai Province in China from 1996 to 2015. Our results indicate that the degree of ecological security has increased between the years 1996 and 2015. During this time period the eco-environmental pressures in this region have been mitigated to some extent. From 1996 to 2011, the degree of ecological security was in a state of extreme warning and the regional ecological system was very insecure. From 2012 to 2015, the degree of security was in a state of serious warning and the regional ecological system was insecure. Pressure indexes increased from 0.068 in 1996 to 0.197 in 2015, accompanied by continuously increasing eco-environmental pressures. The state index during this period has also generally increased. On the whole, the response index from 1996 to 2015 showed an upward trend. During the economic development of the Qinghai Province, long-term consumption of the environment and the resources has made it difficult to significantly improve the eco-environmental condition of this region over a short-term period. The findings from our investigation provide references for future regional ecological environment administration and decision-making.KeywordsEcological securityPressure-State-Response (PSR) modelQinghai Province