Spatial relationship between ecosystem health and urbanization in coastal mountain city, Qingdao, China

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and population growth have significantly impacted air and water quality, exerting adverse effects on both the natural environment and human health. While ecosystem health assessment is a crucial aspect of ecosystem management, the smaller-scale implications of urban development have often been overlooked. This paper addresses this gap by examining the relationship between ecosystem health and urbanization in Qingdao over the period 2000–2019. Utilizing the Vigor-Organization-Resilience-Service (VORS) model, we evaluated ecosystem health (ESH) while measuring the extent of urbanization through population dynamics, economic factors, and land size. Our findings indicate a declining trend in ESH over the studied period, particularly in Chengyang District and Huangdao District. Ecosystem vigor experienced the most significant decline, dropping from 0.730 to 0.639, followed by a decrease in ecosystem resilience from 0.422 to 0.394. Concurrently, the urbanization rate in Qingdao exhibited a steady increase, with high levels observed in Shinan District, Shibei District and Licang District. Our analysis reveals a negative impact of urbanization on ecosystem health, with population growth being the predominant factor from 2000 to 2005. Post-2005, the expansion of construction land emerged as a major contributing factor. Addressing ecological and environmental concerns and the effective management of urban ecosystems all depend on understanding and mitigating the negative impacts of urbanization on ecosystem health. These findings hold crucial implications for government departments tasked with managing the delicate balance between population growth and land expansion.