Ecological vulnerability assessment based on PSSR in Yellow River Delta

Abstract

Ecological vulnerability assessment of wetlands is a very important early-stage task for wetland protection, pollution treatment, ecological restoration and water resources utilization. On the basis of the study of vulnerability evolution mechanism of wetland ecosystem in the Yellow River Delta, this paper proposes a Pressure-Support-State-Response Model (PSSR) for ecosystem vulnerability assessment and employs a single-factor evaluation method. The proposed model is applied to assessing ecosystem vulnerability of wetland in Yellow River Delta (a case study of Dongying City). Research results show that: from 2005 to 2009, the ecosystem vulnerability of wetlands in Yellow River Delta was 0.62, and 0.68 from 2010 to 2014; the ecosystem vulnerability grade is moderately vulnerable during the two periods. Generally speaking, regional ecosystem vulnerability slightly decreases. More efforts should be made to protect and restore the ecosystem and prevent it from deterioration and wetlands degradation. This study may provide a theoretical support for wetland protection, management, exploitation and policy making in the Yellow River Delta.