Monitoring spatio-temporal dynamics of multi-dimensional karst ecosystem quality in Southwest China by integrating multi-source data

Abstract

ABSTRACT A thorough assessment of the karst ecosystem quality plays an important role in regional sustainable development. In this study, based on multi-source remote sensing data, a comprehensive ecosystem quality index (EQI) was developed by integrating the ecosystem function index (EFI), the ecosystem stability index (ESI), and the ecosystem stress index (ESSI), to evaluate the spatio-temporal changes of ecosystem quality in the karst region of Southwest China during the past two decades. The results showed that the EFI exhibited a significant increasing trend in approximately 54.58% of the karst area from 2001 to 2020. The ESI experienced multiple stages from initially increasing around 2005, then decreasing around 2010, and finally increasing to the peak in 2020. The ESSI fluctuated at a high level since 2001. Overall, the comprehensive EQI experienced a gradual improvement in the initial period from 2001 to 2010, and then increased significantly from 2015 to 2020. The excellent EQI occupied by no more than 20% before 2005, but expanded sharply with about three times by 2020. Additionally, nearly 16.73% of the karst area experienced significant improvement in the EQI, whereas only 0.28% of the karst area exhibited severe degradation in the EQI during the past 20 years.