Changes In Habitat Quality Research Articles

How Does the Three‐North Shelterbelt Engineering of China Improve Its Habitat Quality? A Study of 40 Years of Change Tracking and Driving Factors

ABSTRACTThe Three‐North Shelterbelt Engineering of China (TNSEC) is a large‐scale ecological restoration project that was initiated in 1978 to enhance the ecological environment of the Three‐North Shelterbelt Engineering Region (TNSER). However, the macro long‐term data and driving mechanisms behind habitat quality in the TNSER remain inadequately understood. Therefore, multi‐source observational data, the InVEST model, and spatial analysis techniques were employed to quantify the spatiotemporal evolution of habitat quality in the TNSER since 1980. Additionally, the Optimal Parameters‐based Geographical Detector (OPGD) model was utilized to quantitatively elucidate the driving mechanisms behind changes in habitat quality. The habitat quality of TNSER has remained stable from 1980 to 2020, exhibiting significant spatial agglomeration characteristics. Areas with higher habitat quality are demonstrating a trend of expansion, while regions with poor habitat quality are experiencing fragmentation and expansion. It is anticipated that the habitat quality of TNSER will continue to remain stable in the future; however, areas with poor habitat quality and their adjacent zones are showing signs of deterioration. Changes in habitat quality within TNSER are influenced by multiple factors, primarily socio‐economic factors in nature, with GDP accounting for 55% of the variations in habitat quality. This study offers valuable recommendations for policymakers from a sustainable development perspective, highlighting the critical role of large‐scale ecological projects in enhancing environmental quality amidst ongoing ecological challenges.

Multi-scenario simulation and optimization of habitat quality under karst desertification management

IntroductionInvestigation of the evolutionary trend of habitat quality in karst and rocky desertification zones is crucial for enhancing ecological security and conservation.MethodsAnalysis of land use statistics from the years 2000, 2010, and 2020, changes in habitat quality (HQ) and land use (LULC) between 2000 and 2020 were analyzed using Huize County in Yunnan Province as an example. The InVEST and FLUS models were applied to simulate LULC under different scenarios in 2030 and 2040 and assess changes in spatial gradients of habitat quality at each timepoint and factors influencing them.ResultsThe findings indicated that (1) The predominant land use types are grassland and woodland, experiencing the most significant growth in urbanized areas, the main sources of which are paddy fields and high-cover grassland. (2) The habitat quality between 2000 and 2020 was average and displayed a consistent decline. The spatial distribution pattern indicates low HQ in urban areas, high HQ in the outskirts, low HQ in the south-west, and high HQ in the north-east. In all four scenarios, habitat quality predominantly decreases in urban areas and regions with a dense concentration of built-up land. (3) Habitat quality spatial distribution is primarily affected by the type of land use, with NDVI being the secondary determinant.DiscussionThe ecological environment of Huize County must be restored and safeguarded with a focus on ecological priorities and harmonious development scenarios. This study provides methodological lessons for ecorestoration and policymakers in areas of karstic rocky desertification.

Nature-Based Solution for Climate Change Adaptation: Coastal Habitats Restoration in Xiamen Bay, China

Nature-based solutions (NbSs) of biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration have been paid increasing attention as an essential approach to slow down climate change. However, to what degree an NbS approach will contribute to the combined effects of human intervention and climate change has not been well studied. From a habitat quality perspective, we set four NbS scenarios to analyze whether the NbS—mangrove restoration in particular—will be enough for climate change in Xiamen Bay of Fujian Province, China. The habitat quality module of the InVEST model (InVEST-HQ) and the Sea Level Affecting Marshes Model (SLAMM) were used to simulate the spatial-temporal changes in habitat types and habitat quality. Results show that (1) rising sea levels will cause coastal squeeze effects, impacting habitat quality due to erosion and inundation in the study area; (2) mangrove restoration is an effective way to mitigate climate change effects and to increase habitat quality; and (3) further analysis of the effectiveness of mangrove restoration shows that the consideration of mangrove fragmentation effects and sea-use impacts are necessary. The findings in this study will enrich the international discussion of NbSs to climate change in coastal areas.

Impacts of Large Hydropower Projects on the Ecological Environment of Watersheds: A Case Study of Ertan Reservoir Area

Ertan Hydroelectric Power Station was the first large-scale water conservancy facility in western China, and with its completion, the ecological pattern of the reservoir area has changed dramatically; however, the changes in habitat quality before and after the completion of the reservoir have not yet been systematically monitored and evaluated. In this study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal characteristics of the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI), used CA-Markov model and GeoDetector, evaluated the ecological environment of the Ertan Reservoir area in each five-year period from 1995 to 2020, simulated the ecological quality of the Ertan Reservoir area in 2025, and revealed the nine drivers and their interactions affecting ecological quality of the watershed from a geologic point of view, and finally put forward reasonable planning and targeted protection suggestions. Finally, rational planning and targeted protection recommendations were proposed. The main results were as follows: (1) After the completion of the Ertan Hydropower Station, the spatial distribution of the RSEI in the reservoir area varied significantly, with a trend of “rising-declining-rising” in time, and the area share of “good” area increased the most, by 19.83%. (2) The degree of grading of each driving factor had different degrees of influence on the size of the RSEI value, and its interaction enhanced the spatial differentiation of the RSEI. (3) The average value of the RSEI is 0.66 in 2025, and the ecological environment quality will show a steady improvement in five years. The results of the study can provide a reference for constructing RSEI indicators for large hydropower facilities.

Habitat quality assessment on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau across vegetation ecoregions using InVEST and Geodetector models

IntroductionThe Qinghai-Tibet Plateau holds a significant position in the global ecosystem, with its unique high altitude and complex geographical features fostering rich biodiversity. The plateau’s high-altitude environment and distinctive climate system significantly influence the Asian monsoon and regional hydrological cycles. Its vast glaciers and snow reserves are crucial in regulating the Asian climate. While previous studies have analyzed the habitat quality of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, significant variations exist across different vegetation ecoregions, warranting further investigation into these variations and their influencing factors.MethodsThis study conducted a comprehensive assessment of habitat quality on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau by analyzing the impacts of human activities, climate change, and grazing intensity. Using the InVEST Model and Geodetector Model, we evaluated habitat quality across the plateau’s six vegetation ecoregions from 2000 to 2020. The efficacy of ecological red-line policies in actual conservation efforts was also examined.ResultsThe results indicate that habitat quality among vegetation ecoregions is shaped by a complex interaction of geographical and human-induced factors, leading to notable spatiotemporal variations. From 2000 to 2020, the quality of habitats was significantly impacted by human activities, climate change, grazing intensity, and land-use changes. These effects were especially prominent during the period from 2005 to 2010.DiscussionThe changes in habitat quality on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are influenced by multiple driving factors, with significant differences in the drivers across various vegetation ecoregions. The ecological redline policy has played an important role in protecting the ecological environment in key areas, particularly in regions with high human intervention, where its effectiveness is more pronounced. In future ecological management, it is essential to strengthen conservation measures based on regional specificity. By comprehensively considering the impact of human activities and natural factors, developing more targeted management strategies is crucial for improving habitat quality.

Impact of Habitat Quality Changes on Regional Thermal Environment: A Case Study in Anhui Province, China

Biodiversity degradation and loss represent critical global challenges, primarily driven by the urban heat island effect, which results from elevated surface temperatures. As urbanization and climate change continue to progress, these phenomena have a profound impact on both habitats and human residential environments. This study focuses on Anhui Province as a case study to systematically investigate the effects of changes in habitat quality (HQ) on the evolution of the regional thermal environment. The objective is to provide a scientific basis for addressing regional thermal environment issues and promoting biodiversity conservation. This paper employs the InVEST-HQ model to analyze HQ in Anhui Province from 2000 to 2020 and integrates surface temperature data to assess the response of HQ changes to variations in the regional thermal environment. The results show that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the HQ index in Anhui Province exhibited a general decline, characterized by pronounced spatial heterogeneity, with lower values observed in the northern regions and higher values in the southwestern and southern areas. (2) Concurrently, the relative surface temperature in Anhui Province continued to rise, particularly in central urban areas such as Hefei, where the increase in impermeable surfaces has facilitated the expansion of high-temperature zones. (3) Different types of HQ had distinctly varying effects on regional thermal environments: habitats classified as poor HQ or worse HQ were associated with noticeable warming effects, while those categorized as good HQ or excellent HQ exhibited significant cooling effects. (4) The contribution index of varying HQ to relative surface temperature ranged from −0.2 to 0.3, indicating that poor HQ and worse HQ positively contributed to regional thermal environments, whereas good HQ and excellent HQ exerted a negative contribution. City-level analyses revealed that cities such as Suzhou, Chizhou, Wuhu, Anqing, Xuancheng, and Lu’an were associated with positive contributions to relative surface temperature, while cities including Bengbu, Fuyang, Chuzhou, Huaibei, Tongling, Ma’anshan, and Hefei demonstrated negative contributions. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing the spatial distribution of urban cold islands and promoting ecological sustainable development.

Spatial distribution and topographic gradient effects of habitat quality in the Chang-Zhu-Tan Urban Agglomeration, China

This study aimed to analyze spatio-temporal changes in habitat quality in Chang-Zhu-Tan Urban Agglomeration during the 2000–2020 period and explore its topographic gradient effects. Using land use data from this period, the InVEST model was employed to assess the spatio-temporal variations in habitat quality. The bivariate spatial autocorrelation model was used to analyze the spatial correlation characteristics between habitat quality and various topographical factors. Additionally, terrain factor analysis was utilized to study the terrain gradient effects on habitat quality in the study area. The results reveal that: (1) The primary land use changes in the study area from 2000 to 2020 predominantly involve substantial arable land and forest conversions into urban development. (2) The average habitat quality indices for 2000, 2010, and 2020 in the Chang-Zhu-Tan Urban Agglomeration stand at 0.651, 0.622, and 0.606, respectively, indicating a consistent declining trend in habitat quality. The distribution of habitat quality grades demonstrates a spatial pattern of “lower in the central surroundings, higher in the surroundings.” (3) The Chang-Zhu-Tan Urban Agglomeration shows significant positive correlations between habitat quality and topographical gradients. Spatial aggregation tendencies between habitat quality and topographical gradients primarily exhibit “high-high” and “low-low” clustering. (4) The habitat quality of the Chang-Zhu-Tan urban agglomeration exhibits a significant topographic gradient effect, primarily characterized by an increase in habitat quality with the rise of the topographic gradient. The study outcomes contribute to unveiling the spatiotemporal variations in habitat quality within the Chang-Zhu-Tan Urban Agglomeration. Moreover, leveraging different habitat types’ distinctive terrain distribution characteristics, it proposes targeted habitat conservation measures, thereby offering theoretical support for biodiversity conservation and territorial spatial planning in the study area.

Spatial and Temporal Changes in Habitat Quality and Driving Forces in Typical Loess Hill and Gully Areas：A Case Study of the Zuli River Basin

Loess hills and gully areas are one of the important ecological barriers in China, and the study of the spatial and temporal changes of its habitat quality and its driving force is of great significance to guaranteeing the ecological security of China and safeguarding the national ecological rights and interests. Taking the Zuli River Basin as an example, the spatiotemporal distribution of the remote-sensing ecological index （RSEI） from 2000 to 2020 was systematically investigated using the Google Earth Engine platform and Landsat remote-sensing data. Combined with the coefficient of variation CV, the Theil-Sen Median slope estimation, the Mann-Kendall test of significance, and the Hurst index, the spatial and temporal changes of habitat quality in the study area were analyzed over a period of 20 years, and the effects of six major driving factors on the spatial distribution of RSEI were investigated using the geodetector method. The results of the study showed that： ① From 2000 to 2020, the value of the RSEI showed a downward and then upward trend, with an average annual increase of 0.084 5·（10 a）-1. ② During the 20-year period, the habitat quality improvement area accounted for 92.06%, of which the significant improvement area accounted for 28.49%, and the improvement area was mainly in Huining County, whereas the habitat degradation area only accounted for 7.82%. The trend of future ecological conditions showed that 74.98% of the areas would show a trend of continuous improvement or future improvement, but there would still be a potential risk of ecological degradation in 23.48% of the areas in the future. ③ Climate factors such as precipitation were the key factors affecting the habitat quality in the Zu Li River Basin； the interaction between factors had a higher explanatory power than that of any single factor on the habitat quality, among which the interaction between the precipitation factor and the elevation factor had the strongest explanatory power. The interaction between the terracing factor and the environmental factor significantly increased the explanatory power of the spatial variance, which indicated that terracing played an important role in improving habitat quality. The results of this study can provide a scientific basis for the management and sustainable development of the ecological environment in the loess hills and gullies.

Characterization and projection of spatial and temporal changes in habitat quality of Sanjiangyuan based on land use change

Characterization and projection of spatial and temporal changes in habitat quality of Sanjiangyuan based on land use change

The evolution of habitat quality and its response to land use change in the coastal China, 1985–2020

The coastal region of China is a typical area characterized by a developed economy, yet it faces prominent resource and environmental issues, and it is of great significance to quantitatively assess the ecological effects resulting from rapid urbanization and industrialization. Based on the land use data from 1985 to 2020, and the InVEST modeling and relevant spatial data sources, the paper analyzed the spatial and temporal changes in land use cover and habitat quality in the coastal China over the past 30 years. The results show that: 1) land use cover in the coastal China has changed significantly during the study period, with the area of cultivated land continuing to decrease and construction land expanding; 2) the trend of habitat quality degradation in was obvious, with the area of low-value habitat quality continuing to increase. Spatially, they were mainly located in the three major urban agglomerations undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization; 3) The average degradation of habitats increased significantly between 1990 and 2000 and 2010–2020. The rate of change in areas with different degradation levels from 1990 to 2000 was higher than in other periods. The low-value areas of habitat degradation are mainly located in hilly and mountainous regions. 4) The transfer of habitat grades was generally characterized by a shift from high grade to low grade. This trend of conversion was due to the large-scale occupation of cultivated land by construction land and the long-term encroachment of ecological land by cultivated land. For future development, it is recommended to improve the land use regulation system based on the principles of sustainable development, with a particular focus on habitat protection. Additionally, efforts should be made to strengthen the development of ecological agriculture, carry out ecological protection and restoration, and improve the mechanisms for coordinating land and sea management.

Habitat Quality Evolution and Multi-Scenario Simulation Based on Land Use Change in the Jialing River Basin

The Jialing River watershed has seen substantial changes in habitat quality and land use throughout the last 20 years. It is yet unknown, however, how the habitat quality will react to these changes in land use. In this work, multi-scenario simulations for 2030 were carried out using the PLUS and InVEST models, and the land use changes and habitat quality evolution in the Jialing River basin from 2000 to 2020 were evaluated. In this study, the following facts were determined: (1) The study area’s southern region is mainly farmland, whereas the northern part is predominantly forestland. The most significant changes were a decrease of 1.46% in the grassland and an increase of 1.07% in the construction land. (2) The northern area typically has greater habitat quality than the southern region, at habitat quality indices of 0.5401, 0.5338, and 0.5084 for the year 2000, the year 2010, and the year 2020, respectively, demonstrating a pattern of steady decline. (3) Converting farmland to forestland can successfully increase habitat quality, but the conversion of grassland and forestland to farmland is the primary cause of the decline of habitat quality. (4) Global Moran’s indices of −0.7809, −0.7537, and −0.6376 for 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively, were found in the correlation study between habitat quality and land use intensity, showing a high negative link. The local indicators of spatial association (LISA) maps indicated that the northern region had high land use intensity with low habitat quality, while the southern region had low land use intensity with low habitat quality. (5) The outcomes of the multi-scenario simulations show that, except under the ecological conservation scenario (0.5123) where habitat quality improved, there was a certain degree of deterioration under the business-as-usual (0.4381), farmland conservation (0.4941), and sustainable development (0.4909) scenarios. For future sustainable development, strict control of the encroachment on farmland and forestland is recommended, alongside the adoption of proactive measures to improve habitat quality.

Impact of landscape pattern on habitat quality in the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2000 to 2030

Recently, rapid economic development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt region in China and the growing problem of regional habitat quality have seriously threatened the process of biodiversity conservation in the Yangtze River Basin. Studying the impact of changes in landscape pattern indexes on habitat quality in the Yangtze River Economic Belt can provide policy insights for biodiversity conservation in the Yangtze River Basin. However, existing studies are still lacking in exploring the effects of changing landscape pattern indices on habitat quality under future scenarios. Based on the land use data of the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2000 to 2020, this study simulates the land use situation in 2030, and analyzes the landscape pattern indexes and habitat quality during the 30 years, to investigate the impact of landscape pattern indexes on habitat quality at global and local scales through various methods. The results show that landscape patterns were significantly affected by human activities and land use types, with the Yangtze River Economic Belt experiencing increased levels of land use and structural stabilization during the three decades (Shannon Diversity Index increased from 0.90 in 2000 to 0.94 in 2030), fragmentation of the landscape (Landscape fragmentation index increase from 0.094 in 2000 to 0.102 in 2030), and weakened connectivity (contagion index decrease from 48.213 in 2000 to 45.437 in 2030). The Habitat Quality has a large variation in spatial distribution at the county scale, with an average change in habitat quality of 1.04 % from 2000 to 2030, and an overall downward trend. There is a strong localized spatial autocorrelation between landscape pattern indices and habitat quality, with significant spatial heterogeneity and some form of variability at time scales. The results of this study help to further understand the eco-environmental problems of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, and provide theoretical references for the formulation of ecological environmental protection policies and ecological functional area planning.

Trend analysis of long-time series habitat quality in Beijing based on multiple models

This study selects Beijing from 1980 to 2020 as the research area, utilizing high temporal resolution land use data to analyze through the habitat quality module of the InVEST model. Unlike previous research, this study employs the Theil-Sen Median method and Mann-Kendall test to analyze the trend changes in habitat quality more accurately. This method has significant advantages in dealing with non-linear and non-normally distributed data over long time series, providing a more accurate and reliable analysis of habitat quality trends. Methodologically, the study first collects and organizes the land use type data of Beijing from 1980 to 2020, then uses the habitat quality module of the InVEST model to process and analyze the data of each year, assessing the impact of different land use types on habitat quality. Subsequently, the Theil-Sen Median method and Mann-Kendall test are used to analyze the time series trend of habitat quality, to identify and quantify the trend and significance of habitat quality changes. The results show that over the past 40 years, the area of construction land in Beijing has significantly expanded, leading to a compression of other types of land. The spatial distribution of habitat quality shows a clear difference between the two sides divided by a line connecting the northeast and southwest, with the west side being the area of good habitat quality and the east side being poorer. In the past 10 years, the overall habitat quality has improved, but most areas still show a decreasing trend, especially in the western and northern mountainous areas where habitat quality has significantly declined. Based on these findings, it is recommended that future urban planning and land management should pay more attention to the protection and improvement of habitat quality, especially the restoration work for areas with poor habitat quality.

Habitat quality and degradation change analysis for the Sundarbans mangrove forest using invest habitat quality model and machine learning

Habitat quality and degradation change analysis for the Sundarbans mangrove forest using invest habitat quality model and machine learning

Impacts of estuarine habitat degradation on the modeled life history of marine estuarine-dependent and resident fish species.

Shallow coastal and estuarine habitats play an essential role in the life cycles of many fish species, providing spawning, nursery, feeding, and migration areas. However, these ecologically valuable habitats are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities, causing substantial changes in both habitat availability and quality. Fish species use these shallow coastal habitats and estuaries during various life stages, leading to their categorization into guilds based on how and when they rely on these areas. This differential functional use of estuaries means that changes to these habitats may affect each guild differently. To understand the impact of estuarine habitat degradation on fish populations, it is therefore necessary to consider the full life cycle of fish and when they rely on these coastal habitats. Here, we use conceptual size-structured population models to study how estuarine habitat degradation affects two functionally different guilds. We use these models to predict how reduced food productivity in the estuary affects the demographic rates and population dynamics of these groups. Specifically, we model estuarine residents, which complete their entire life cycle in estuaries, and marine estuarine-dependent species, which inhabit estuaries during early life before transitioning offshore. We find that total fish biomass for both guilds decreases with decreasing food productivity. However, the density of juveniles of the marine estuarine-dependent guild can, under certain conditions, increase in the estuary. This occurs due to a shift in the population biomass distribution over different life stages and a simultaneous shift in which life stage is most limited by food. At the individual level, somatic growth of juveniles belonging to the estuarine-dependent guild decreased with lower food supply in the estuary, due to increased competition for food. The somatic growth rates of fish belonging to the resident guild were largely unaffected by low food supply, as the total fish density decreased at the same time and therefore the per-capita food availability was similar. These outcomes challenge the assumption that responses to habitat degradation are similar between fish guilds. Our study highlights the need to assess not only fish biomass but also size distributions, survival, and somatic growth rates for a comprehensive understanding of the effects of habitat degradation on fish populations. This understanding is crucial not only for estuary fish communities but also for successful conservation and management of commercially harvested offshore population components.

Impacts of the land use transition on ecosystem services in the Dongting Lake area

Urbanization-induced land use transitions (LUTs) result in a decline in ecosystem services, which has implications for regional ecological security. In order to explore the relationship between ecosystem services and land use transition, this paper utilizes the InVEST model, a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model, to examine the impact of land use transition on ecosystem services in the Dongting Lake area (DLA). The results showed that 1) with the change in urbanization development, the average values of land use transition intensity (LUI) in 2000, 2010, and 2020 are 237.99, 235.82, and 238.92, respectively. Land use dynamics (LUD) show a tendency to increase and then decrease, with average values of 5.58 and 5.62 for the periods 2000–2010 and 2010–2020, respectively, and the transformation of land use shows obvious spatio-temporal heterogeneity. 2) Habitat quality and carbon sequestration showed a downward trend. In contrast, food supply followed an upward trend; soil conservation (SC) and water yield (WY) services initially increased and decreased later. The overall spatial changes in habitat quality and carbon sequestration appear to be insignificant. Food supply shows significant differences in the plains compared to other areas, while soil conservation and water yield service show significant changes in places other than the DLA. 3) From 2000 to 2020, land use transition dynamics, population density, GDP density, night lighting, and transition intensity had mainly negative effects on ecosystem services. Only the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) showed a positive effect on ecosystem services. The results of the research will provide valuable references for the development and implementation of spatial ecological restoration planning and land use policies in the national territory.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of Habitat Quality and Scenario Modeling Prediction in the Tuha Region

In recent years, increasing urbanization has profoundly impacted the quality of regional habitats, presenting a severe risk to the ability of a region to develop in a high-quality manner. Therefore, the scientific assessment of the features of habitat quality (HQ) evolution over time and space and the prediction of future trends in changes in the HQ are of great significance for the formulation of effective ecological protection policies. Based on five periods of land use and land cover (LULC) data from 2000 to 2020, InVEST model was used to estimate both geographical and chronological trends in the HQ in the Tuha region, China. Spatial autocorrelation analysis methods were used to assess HQ and spatial aggregation of habitat degradation, and ecological zoning was delineated in conjunction with the Human Footprint Index (HFI). Based on the results of ecological zoning, the study predicted changes in habitat quality (HQ) in 2040 under three scenarios: natural development (ND), ecological preservation (EP), and urban development (UD) by applying the Patch-Generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model. The results demonstrated that (1) from 2000 to 2020, the habitat quality in the Tuha region exhibited a downward trend, with the proportion of low HQ increasing from 83.63% to 84.24%. Spatially, high habitat quality (HQ) is mainly concentrated in the Tianshan Mountains. From 2000 to 2020, the Moran index for habitat quality (HQ) decreased from 0.967 to 0.959, while the Moran index for habitat degradation declined from 0.805 to 0.780. The habitat quality (HQ) and degradation exhibit significant spatial aggregation, and the degree of degradation has increased incrementally. (2) From 2000 to 2020, human activities in the Tuha area increased continuously and were mainly concentrated in Tuha district and counties. The proportion of high Human Footprint Index (HFI) increased from 0.66% to 1.32%, while the proportion of medium HFI increased from 3.13% to 7.46%. (3) The expansion of urbanized land has exacerbated habitat degradation. The proportion of high HQ in the EP scenario is higher than that in ND and UD scenario. The results show that the ecological protection scenario is more conducive to the sustainable development of habitat quality in the Tuha region. The results can provide a scientific basis for ecological management and protection in the Tuha area.

Assessing the Trade-off between Ecological Conservation and Local Development in Wuyishan National Park: A Production–Living–Ecological Space Perspective

China’s national park establishment aims to achieve a balance between ecological conservation and regional development. This study adopts a production–living–ecological (PLE) space perspective to evaluate the park’s impact. By quantifying changes and employing a combination of geographic detector and coupling coordination degree analyses, this research explores the dynamics of habitat quality and PLE space within the Wuyishan region, alongside their interrelationships. The national park’s influence on the surrounding area exhibits spatial heterogeneity, evident both within and beyond park boundaries, as well as across different counties. Despite the concentration of PLE changes in the park’s vicinity, particularly in densely populated urban areas, the influence of the national park on the local area is random and primarily at a low level. Importantly, the ecological space exhibits substantial changes, mirroring improvements in habitat quality. Furthermore, the coupling coordination between habitat quality changes and PLE space changes exhibits remarkable spatial variations. The complex interrelationships among PLE space necessitate a coordinated approach to their development for effective national park management. Ultimately, this investigation provides a novel perspective for the assessment of Wuyishan National Park’s conservation effectiveness, contributing practical value for future endeavors.

Linking trends of habitat types and plant species using repeated habitat mapping data

AbstractAimsTrends in the extent of habitat types and species frequencies might not follow a simple pattern. However, data that are able to link those trends are scarce. Here, we use data from a repeated habitat mapping program to test consistency between habitat type and species change.LocationFederal state of Baden‐Württemberg, Germany.MethodsWe derived temporal trends over several decades concerning: (a) the extent of all protected habitat types across the state, (b) plant species across the state, and (c) plant species within habitat types. We tested the consistency between trends in the extent of every protected habitat type with trends of those species that prefer that particular habitat type, as well as with mean trends of all species that occur within that particular habitat type.ResultsWe found that, on average, most protected habitat types decreased in area, with the exception of forests, which showed positive trends. Species analysis showed positive trends for species preferring the habitat types scrubs, copses and field hedges, as well as bog, carr, swamp and alluvial forests. By contrast, negative trends were found for species preferring the habitat types heaths and semi‐natural grasslands, meadows and pastures. While non‐native species increased, species that were considered endangered decreased. A species’ trend across Baden‐Württemberg mostly followed the trend of the species’ preferred habitat type. However, within some habitat types, the mean species’ trend did not follow the trend of those habitat types’ extent. Decreasing species within habitat types were especially those that preferred each particular habitat type.ConclusionsOur results point to an ongoing turnover of floristic composition, and thus to changes in habitat quality within habitat types. This implies that future monitoring programs should track temporal trends of both habitat types and the species occurring in these habitat types as a measure of habitat quality, because they can show diverging trends.

Habitat quality or quantity? Niche marginality across 21 plants and animals suggests differential responses between highland and lowland species to past climatic changes

Climatic changes can affect species distributions, population abundance, and evolution. Such organismal responses could be determined by the amount and quality of available habitats, which can vary independently. In this study, we assessed changes in habitat quantity and quality independently to generate explicit predictions of the species' responses to climatic changes between Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and present day. We built ecological niche models for genetic groups within 21 reptile, mammal, and plant taxa from the Baja California peninsula inhabiting lowland or highland environments. Significant niche divergence was detected for all clades within species, along with significant differences in the niche breadth and area of distribution between northern and southern clades. We quantified habitat quantity from the distribution models, and most clades showed a reduction in distribution area towards LGM. Further, niche marginality (used as a measure of habitat quality) was higher during LGM for most clades, except for northern highland species. Our results suggest that changes in habitat quantity and quality can affect organismal responses independently. This allows the prediction of genomic signatures associated with changes in effective population size and selection pressure that could be explicitly tested from our models.