Landscape Characteristics of Jinsha River Basin (Yunnan Part) and Effects of Human Disturbance

Abstract

The high population density and numerous open-pit mines in Jinsha River basin interfere local landscape to a large extent. The present paper discusses the relation between landscape characteristics and population density & area of open-pit mines, by dividing the basin into three sections (i.e. upstream, midstream and downstream) and conducting comparative analysis of the spatial relation between landscape characteristics and population density & area of open-pit mines. Study conclusions: ①major vegetation within the basin includes forestry, shrub grassland and xerophytic cultivated plants and the three sections significantly differ from each other: forestry is densely distributed in upper section, shrub in middle section and xerophytic cultivated plants in lower section; ②the spatial distribution rule of landscape fragmentation level is: middle section > lower section > upper section; ③ the spatial distribution landscape fragmentation level is in proportion to population density & area of open-pit mines: middle section has the highest population density and the largest number of open-pit mines, where the landscape is most seriously divided and patches are the most complicated; ④based on the previous conclusions, proposals for management, protection and control in different sections are provided: middle section – key zone of ecological environment management, upper section – key zone of ecological environment protection, lower section – key zone of ecological environment restoration and control. The study results can serve as ponderable reference for ecological protection and restoration in the basin.