Indicators Of Habitat Quality Research Articles

Study of ecosystem service functions in typical receiving areas of the South-to-North Water Diversion Central Route based on a set of long time series.

Hebi is located in the northern part of China's Henan Province and is a typical receiving area for China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project. The assessment of habitat quality and water yield over a long time series is important for evaluating the stability of ecosystem services in Hebi and other receiving areas and for maintaining ecological security and promoting sustainable development. This paper aims to evaluate and dynamically analyse habitat quality and water yield in Hebi, and analyses the characteristics of changes in spatial and temporal patterns of land cover types, habitat quality and water yield in Hebi over the past 20 years, using 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2020 as horizontal years. The results indicate that: (1) During the study period, the overall land use type in Hebi City has been constantly changing, with the most significant conversion from arable land to other land types; combined with its landscape pattern index, Hebi City has a general characteristic of significant landscape fragmentation and complexity in land use. (2) Habitat quality in Hebi shows an overall trend towards better development, with water availability decreasing and then increasing; the zoning of ecosystem services in Hebi is divided into three classes: superior, good and general, with the area covered by the superior and general classes expanding year by year. (3) Correlation analysis by SPSS software shows that the correlation between habitat quality and landscape pattern index is greater than the correlation between habitat quality and climate change. Additionally, the correlation between water availability and climate change is greater than the correlation between water availability and landscape pattern index.

Habitat quality on the edge of anthropogenic pressures: Predicting the impact of land use changes in the Brazilian Upper Paraguay river Basin

Landscape changes driven by anthropogenic activities often have negative impacts on ecosystems, jeopardizing the provision of vital services that sustain biotic elements and wildlife. Predicting the effects of such transformations is crucial for developing strategies to mitigate ecological damage. This study explores the interaction of land use changes and habitat quality estimates in the Upper Paraguay River Basin in Brazil, using the InVEST Habitat Quality model to estimate spatiotemporal landscape trends and evaluate the potential impact of land use policies for the future. Under a business-as-usual scenario by 2050, potential land use changes are simulated for shaping habitat quality, habitat degradation, and habitat rarity estimates as landscape proxies for biodiversity conservation. Results show an extensive expansion of pastures through deforestation, leading to progressive habitat degradation with a significant decay in the predicted and observed habitat quality. The habitat quality index estimates show a spatial decrease from 0.78 to 0.57 for the 1989–2050 period. The same trend is observed in protected areas for the period 2019–2050, with an increase of anthropogenic land use and a decrease of the habitat quality from 0.80 to 0.57 in conservation units, and from 0.75 to 0.53 in indigenous lands. For improved conservation outcomes, this work introduces new insights for shaping environmental actions that can be flagged as sustainable land management practices and ecological perspectives towards spatial pressures at different scales. Therefore, government institutions responsible for the protection of conservation units and indigenous communities can be informed about potential land use impacts on their territories. The findings suggest that incorporating additional scenario trends and climate-related variables could be a valuable direction for future studies to extend further the modelling approaches explored in this work.

Driving Mechanisms of Spatial Differentiation in Ecosystem Service Value in Opencast Coal Mines in Arid Areas: A Case Study in the Zhundong Economic and Technological Development Zone

The valuation of ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for preserving ecosystems, assessing natural resources, and making decisions regarding compensation. In this study, we employed the InVEST model’s habitat quality (HQ) module to calculate the HQ and degradation levels in the study area using land use/land cover (LULC) data from 2000 to 2020. Our analysis utilized quantitative methods, including spatial correlation, hotspot analysis, and geo-probing, to determine the value of ESs and identify trends. Furthermore, we examined the spatial and temporal variation in the significance of ESs and their driving factors. The results show the following. (1) The primary LULC types in the Zhundong coalfield from 2000 to 2020 are grassland and barren areas. (2) The average value of the HQ index in the study area exhibited a generally decreasing trend. Between 2000 and 2010, HQ significantly declined, particularly in the region’s large barren industrial and mining zones. However, over time, the proportion of sites with minimal degradation improved steadily, resulting in better overall HQ in the study area by 2020. This pertains to the measures put in place by the local government to safeguard and rehabilitate the ecosystem. (3) The spatial distribution of the ecosystem service value (ESV) aligns with changes in HQ and LULC, with significant hotspots primarily observed in forest and grassland areas, nature reserves, and areas around water sources. (4) LULC, temperature, annual precipitation, and elevation are the main drivers of spatial variation in the ESV in the Zhundong area; the spatial variation in the ESV in the Zhundong coalfield is primarily influenced by the interaction between human factors and natural factors, in which LULC plays a dominant role. This study’s findings can guide the development of rational ecological planning, integrating resource conservation mining with effective zoning management.

Spatio-temporal variations of habitat quality and its driving factors in the Yangtze River Delta region of China

Global biodiversity is still being lost at an alarming rate. How to slow the destruction of habitats to protect biodiversity is an urgent issue. As one of the most rapidly developing and active economic regions in China, the habitat quality assessment and impact factor analysis in the Yangtze River Delta region are important for promoting socio-economic development and improving the local ecological environment. The InVEST mode and Geodetector method was used to explore the spatial and temporal variations of the habitat quality and its driving factors in the Yangtze River Delta region. The results show that the averaged habitat quality index showed a decreasing trend during 1980–2020, which accounted about 71.86 % of the Yangtze River Delta region. The habitat quality showed an overall spatial pattern of high in the south and low in the north, and the regional distribution of low habitat quality was dominated. The Moran's I values were larger than 0.8 during 1980–2020, showing a significant positive spatial correlation and a high degree of spatial clustering. The high-high clusters of habitat quality were mainly located in the southwest of the study area, while the low-low clusters were mainly located in the north. During 2025–2060, the habitat quality under the three scenarios exhibited SSP1-RCP19 > SSP2-RCP45 > SSP5-RCP85 and all showed a trend of decreasing in the north of the study area and increasing in the south. Under the two scenarios SSP1-RCP19 and SSP2-RCP45, the habitat quality generally showed an increasing trend, while under the SSP5-RCP85 scenario, it showed a decreasing trend. The slope, DEM, precipitation, construction land index and their interactions played a dominant role in the spatio-temporal variations of the habitat quality. Therefore, the slope, DEM, precipitation and construction land index should be considered when formulating habitat quality protection countermeasures.

Disturbance and diversity: Lichen species richness decreases with increasing anthropogenic disturbance

Anthropogenic disturbance is rapidly increasing through habitat degradation, development, and deforestation. Gaps remain in understanding the effects of this disturbance on diverse and ecologically important organisms such as lichens. In North America, studies have focused on epiphytic macrolichens and catastrophic disturbance, largely ignoring microlichens and less severe disturbances. The Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis predicts these moderate disturbances will lead to higher species richness. Here we examine the effects of anthropogenic disturbance in the form of land management on overall lichen richness, including microlichens, and on the species richness of eight lichen functional groups. The study draws on a comprehensive data set of 872 species, in 208 one-hectare plots throughout the Southern Appalachian Mountains, a global biodiversity hotspot in eastern North America. A habitat quality index based on an established forestry metric was used as a proxy for anthropogenic disturbance and was quantified using a 10-part score including categories such as percent native tree canopy cover and degree of fragmentation. Linear models were used to compare habitat quality scores to overall species richness and to species richness of functional groups. Rather than following the Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis, all groups uniformly follow a negative linear relationship: as disturbance increases, species richness decreases. This pattern held even for widely variable functional groups such as morphotype. Effective conservation of lichen richness should prioritize the maintenance of existing older, less-disturbed stands within large, contiguously forested areas.

Planning for Deer-Hunting Management at the Local and Regional Scales: Reconciling Economic, Social and Ecological Functions

Game species with home ranges exceeding the area of the management units may entail conflicts over hunting rights and cause damage to crops and forest stands in surrounding areas. This is currently the case in the Mendro Mountain Range (Portugal), inhabited by free-ranging red (Cervus elaphus) and fallow deer (Dama dama) populations. This study’s primary goal was to uncover the processes underlying these tensions and identify solutions to overcome them, thus reconciling the economic, social, and ecological functions of hunting. We analyzed data from three different sources of information regarding the surveyed management units: biophysical and anthropical spatial data collected using a GIS; typology, whether fenced, area and game bag results, data provided by a public institute; crop and forest damage locations reported by game managers. Approximately half of the surveyed open management units reported damage. We found no relationship between damage and game bag results, regardless of the typology and habitat quality index. To address this disconnection between the negative and positive values associated with deer locally, we proposed habitat management solutions. It is of chief importance to keep valuable crops apart from deer’s refuge cover, such as bushy areas, to minimize damage in management units where deer hunting is a subsidiary activity. Conversely, in management units where deer hunting is of significant economic importance, the food and refuge cover should be closely interspersed to increase the management unit’s carrying capacity. To improve the efficacy of measures such as this at a regional scale, as in the Mendro Mountain Range, we recommend implementing a so-called Global Management Plan. In Portuguese law, this governance instrument applies to the entire biologic unit where the deer populations occur, thus implying arrangements between the involved stakeholders and multiple other concerned institutions.

Spatial and temporal evolution of habitat quality and its shrinkage effect in shrinking cities: Evidence from Northeast China

Continued population loss in the context of urban shrinkage has led to the transformation and reconfiguration of urban land use space, which in turn has had a major impact on regional habitats and ecosystem services. To explore the status of habitat quality (HQ) in shrinking cities, based on land use data from 2010 to 2020, this study uses the InVEST model to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of HQ in shrinking cities. Then, we reveal the shrinkage effect of HQ in shrinking cities from the perspective of population change rate, and detect the dominant influencing factors of HQ in different types of shrinking cities with the help of geographical detector. The results show that:(1) From 2010 to 2020, the primary land use types in both shrinking and non-shrinking cities of the three northeastern provinces were forestland and cropland. However, there were significant differences in the area of construction land between the two categories of cities. (2) The HQ in both shrinking and non-shrinking cities showed a declining trend, yet the HQ index of shrinking cities was higher than that of non-shrinking cities. (3) The distribution of HQ in shrinking cities has a significant shrinkage effect, and HQ index gradually strengthens as urban shrinkage intensifies. Low-quality habitats have a strong distributional advantage in slightly shrinking cities, while severely shrinking cities tend to be dominated by high-quality habitats. (4) Population profile, economic development, industrial structure and built environment are important factors influencing the spatial heterogeneity of HQ in shrinking cities. However, the spatial determinants of HQ vary significantly among different types of shrinking cities in terms of dimensions and indicators, with two-factor interactions exerting a stronger influence than single-factor impacts. Based on the findings of this study, the government can formulate differentiated habitat protection measures, dynamically adjust, and optimize them according to the distribution characteristics of HQ grades in shrinking cities.

Monitoring arthropods under the scope of LIFE-SNAILS project: I - Santa Maria Island baseline data with implementation of the Index of Biotic Integrity.

The database we introduce is a pivotal component of the LIFE SNAILS project (Support and Naturalisation in Areas of Importance for Land Snails). This initiative is dedicated to safeguarding three endangered species of terrestrial molluscs, specifically, two snails (Oxychilusagostinhoi Martins 1981 and Leptaxisminor Backhuys, 1975) and a semi-slug (Plutoniaangulosa (Morelet, 1860)), all of which are single island endemics from Santa Maria Island and face significant threats towards their populations.In this study, we established a comprehensive database derived from a long-term arthropod monitoring campaign utilising SLAM (Sea, Land, Air, Malaise) traps. Although molluscs were not the primary focus, our findings serve as a credible proxy for evaluating the overall habitat quality for endemic invertebrates, with arthropods serving as principal indicators. From September to December of 2022, a total of 11 SLAM traps were installed and monitored monthly in eleven sites of mixed forests of Santa Maria Island. Based on the 33 available samples (11 sites x 3 sampling periods), we recorded a total of 118 taxa of arthropods (of which 94 were identified at species or subspecies level), belonging to three classes, 14 orders and 62 families. From the 94 identified taxa, a total of 21 species were endemic, 31 native non-endemic, 32 introduced and 10 indeterminate. We also provide additional information of the habitat quality (Index of Biotic Integrity), including general habitat and dominant species composition.We registered three new records to the Island, the native bug Piezodoruslituratus (Fabricius, 1794) (Hemiptera, Pentatomidae), the Azorean endemic beetle Phloeosinusgillerforsi Bright, 1987 (Coleoptera, Curculionidae) and the exotic ant Hypoponerapunctatissima (Roger, 1859) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) and one new record for the Azores Archipelago, the native beetle Cephenniumvalidum Assing & Meybohm, 2021 (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Scydmaeninae).This publication not only contributes to the conservation of highly threatened endemic molluscs, through an assessment of habitat quality, based on arthropod communities and habitat description (e.g. native or exotic vegetation), but also provides an updated inventory of arthropods from Santa Maria Island.

Progress and evolution of hotspots in butterfly diversity research in green spaces.

Ecosystems depend on biodiversity; therefore, protecting biodiversity is beneficial for the development of ecosystems. Butterflies are indicator species that respond quickly to environmental changes and reflect environmental conditions. Butterfly diversity is a crucial evaluation indicator of habitat quality in green spaces. We used CiteSpace and Bibliometrix to conduct a bibliometric analysis of research relating to butterfly diversity in green spaces. Based on 538 papers published from 2002-2022, we systematically reviewed the status, frontiers, and hotspots for research on butterfly diversity in green spaces. Our results showed that: (1) Research on butterfly diversity in green spaces has consistently demonstrated an upward trend between 2002-2022. Studies on this subject have garnered attention from researchers worldwide, with notable interest and contributions from scholars in the United States. (2) Early studies focused on butterfly habitat preferences and extinction concerns, and later articles appeared on the influence of external environmental factors (land use, climate change, plants, etc.). (3) Three main research topics received much attention between 2002 and 2022: biodiversity conservation, butterfly habitats, and the relationship between butterfly diversity and its influencing factors. (4) The relationship between green spaces and butterfly diversity (landscape features, vegetation features, and human activities) was discussed; these factors on butterfly communities should be considered in the planning and constructing of future green spaces. (5) Two significant future directions have been identified: more research on the impact of external factors and a need for more technical integration with the big data field. Future research on butterfly diversity in green spaces should adopt a more multi-scale, multi-disciplinary approach and aim to enhance the practicality and guidance of research findings.

Research on habitat quality in arid urban agglomerations: Influencing mechanisms and multi‐scenario simulations

AbstractIn the context of climate change and rapid urbanization, there have been unparalleled changes in land use and land cover (LULC), resulting in substantial impacts on the surrounding habitat quality (HQ), particularly in ecologically vulnerable arid regions. However, previous studies on the influencing mechanisms of HQ in arid urban agglomerations and future multi‐scenario simulations remain limited. To fill this knowledge gap, this study aimed to reveal the influencing mechanisms in HQ changes and to develop a multi‐scenario HQ assessment framework within arid urban agglomerations. We assessed the spatiotemporal variations in HQ using the InVEST model and three periods of LULC data for the urban agglomeration on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains (UANSTM), and the partial least squares structural equation model was introduced to explore the interactions between natural and non‐natural factors and their impacts on HQ. Additionally, we coupled multi‐objective programming and PLUS models to predict the LULC under different optimization scenarios (natural development scenario (NDS), ecological protection scenario (EPS), ecological–economic coordinated scenario, and economic development scenario) for the UANSTM in 2030, and to assess HQ. Results show that (1) the HQ index of the UANSTM was 0.507, 0.520, and 0.495 in 2000, 2010, and 2020 respectively, with a spatial distribution pattern of high values in the west, low values in the east, and high in the central and low in the north and south; (2) geomorphic, climatic, and LULC factors have direct positive effects on HQ, while socio‐economic factors have a direct negative effect on HQ. In addition, geomorphic, socio‐economic, and climatic factors also influence HQ through potential indirect paths. Climatic and LULC factors enhance the positive effect of geomorphic on HQ while counteracting the direct negative effect of socio‐economic factors on HQ. Climatic factors have the largest negative effect on HQ through their influence on LULC; (3) according to the four scenarios in 2030, the highest HQ index (increased by 0.13%) was found under the EPS, which also aligns more closely with SDGs. Conversely, NDS showed the lowest HQ index (declined by 2.59%). The research results could provide a scientific basis for promoting sustainable land management and ecological conservation for the UANSTM.

Morphological and Habitat Quality of Salmonid Streams and their Relationship with Fish-Based Indices in Aotearoa New Zealand and Ontario (Canada).

Habitat degradation is one of the major reasons for freshwater species decline. Hydrogeomorphological processes (such as sediment transport, bank erosion, and flooding) operate at the catchment scale and determine habitat features in river reaches. However, habitat quality indices and restoration for freshwater fish species are often implemented at small spatial scales of a few hundred metres. The Morphological Quality Index (MQI) considers fluvial processes at larger scales as well as channel forms, human impacts, and historical changes, but few studies have assessed its relevance for ecosystem health. We investigated relationships between the MQI, habitat quality (using the Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index, QHEI), land cover, and fish metrics (number of fish species, index of biotic integrity (IBI), and trout biomass) in 26 salmonid streams in Aotearoa New Zealand and Southern Ontario, Canada. We found a significant correlation between the MQI and QHEI, and both metrics were correlated with urban and native forest proportion in the catchment. However, we found no relation between the MQI and the proportion of agricultural land in the catchment, while the QHEI was correlated with agricultural land in the riparian zone, highlighting the importance of vegetated riparian buffers in providing fish habitat. Establishing a strong correlation with fish metrics remains challenging. Nevertheless, a modified MQI targeting ecological health could be used as an effective management tool for aquatic conservation.

An ecosystem-based fisheries assessment for some coral fishes in the coastal Seram Laut Island, Maluku

As the Seram Laut Island (SLI) community relies on coral fish resources, changes in coral fish populations will impact their income and nutritional needs. This research aimed to investigate the SLI ecosystem's status using risk score indicators and the management implications for the sustainability of the coral fish fishery ecosystem. This research used the tier 2 approach semiquantitative ecosystem-based fishery assessment (EBFA) method based on a risk score of 0 to 3, with four objectives: sustainability, habitat, biodiversity, and socio-economy. Several high-risk scores in the red zone were found in the fishing efforts indicator of Lethrinus obsoletus, Siganus canaliculatus, and Cephalopolis miniata, catch per unit effort (cpue) indicator of S. canaliculatus, maturity proportion, and fishing gear impact of L. obsoletus and S. canaliculatus and habitat quality indicator of S. canaliculatus. Coral fish's species risk index (SRI) ranged from 1.28 to 1.64 (yellow zone), with L. obsoletus having the highest SRI. The coastal of SLI's ecosystem risk index was in the limited range (yellow zone). For ecosystem sustainability, proper management should be developed with a focus on the indicators in the high-risk state (red zone) by spatial planning for coral and habitat conservation, as well as policies based on local wisdom.

Urban dynamics and its impact on habitat and eco-environmental quality along urban-rural gradient in an urban agglomeration (India)

The ecological environment in cities has posed a severe threat due to rapid unplanned and haphazard urbanization worldwide. Thus, an ecological assessment environment is essential for policy implications and sustainable management of urban ecosystems. This study aims to assess urban dynamics and their impact on the habitat and eco-environmental quality in English Bazar Urban Agglomeration (EBUA), Eastern India. A remote sensing-based habitat and eco-environmental quality index have been developed for 2001, 2011, and 2021. The habitat and eco-environmental quality have been assessed along urban-rural gradient (URG) using a multi-ring buffer approach. The spatial metrics were also used to assess the sensitivity and elasticity. The model has been validated (r2= 0.72 for habitat quality and r2= 0.65 for eco-environmental quality) based on the imperviousness extracted from Sentinel 2 data. The findings showed that (i) vegetation cover and water bodies decreased by 56.72 % and 67.99 %,(ii) habitat quality deteriorated by 39.30 % (iii) the areas with very high eco-environmental quality decreased from 37.20 % (2001) to 5.26 % (2021) (iv) the habitat and eco-environmental quality improved from the core towards the fringe and rural areas (v) the landscape pattern i.e. area mean (AREA_MN) and aggregation index (AI) of the built-up areas had negative impact on the habitat and eco-environmental quality. The study's findings provide a new perspective regarding the relationship between urban dynamics and habitat and eco-environmental quality for sustainable urban development.

Anthropogenic effects of habitat modification on anuran species diversity in a swamp forest area, Kenya

AbstractAnuran species are some of the good environmental indicators of habitat quality and condition in ecosystems. This is due to their amphibious life modes and sensitivity to environmental change caused by rapid expansion of agricultural activities, advancement of forest destruction, climate change and emerging infectious diseases. Understanding their diversity and distribution patterns is crucial for the development and implementation of effective species and habitat conservation strategies. The study aimed at assessing and comparing anuran biodiversity and distribution patterns between a protected (North Nandi Forest Reserve) and a non‐protected area (Kingwal swamp) to provide additional baseline information, both being among the underexplored areas in Kenya. Data were gathered in both dry and wet seasons, between October 2022 and June 2023 by employing standard sampling techniques for anurans(Visual encounter and pitfall traps with a drift fence) to maximise detection. Three habitat types‐ farmland, intermediate land and forest were exploited. A total of 1649 individuals from 21 different species, belonging to nine different genera and nine different families were recorded. Ptychadenidae was the most abundant family from the recorded anurans, while Dicroglossidae, Arthroleptidae, Pyxicephalidae and Ranidae were the least. High biodiversity was observed in the forest habitat (Protected) and least in the farmland (non‐protected). The wet season had high species abundance, diversity and richness compared to the dry season. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) in diversity between the habitats in wet season, but no significance difference during dry season (p > 0.05) except for forest and farmland (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in species abundance between seasons (p < 0.05), and between habitats (p < 0.05) in all seasons except for farmland and intermediate (p > 0.05), as well as farmland and forest (p > 0.05) during the wet season. Habitat type and season had no influence (p > 0.05) on species richness. Anuran biodiversity is a function of habitat diversity and season, with the associated differences in microhabitat structure providing diverse niches and ways of exploring resources. The modest sampling indicates that Kingwal Swamp and North Nandi Forest Reserve are rich and support anuran species, and the differences in anuran biodiversity between the 3 habitats demonstrates that conservation efforts continue to be a priority.

Positive spatial autocorrelation in three habitat quality indicators sets the stage for evolution of adaptive dispersal plasticity in a coral reef fish

Positive spatial autocorrelation in three habitat quality indicators sets the stage for evolution of adaptive dispersal plasticity in a coral reef fish

Study of spatiotemporal variation and driving factors of habitat quality in the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains: a case study of Xi’an, China

As earth surface human activities become more frequent, global ecosystem service functions and especially biodiversity maintenance functions are challenged. This study aimed to analyze spatiotemporal changes in Xi‘an section of the northern foothills of the Qinling Mountains from 1990 to 2020. Temporal and spatial changes in habitat quality in the study area were visualized using InVEST model and land use data, and factors affecting habitat quality were analyzed using Geodetector. The results showed that during the study period, the cultivated land, grassland, and water decreased by 16.40%, 74.37%, and 35.39%, respectively, while the area of forest land and construction land increased, among which the construction land increased by 117.70%, the largest increase, and the forest land increased by 8.47%. The main changes in land use are the conversion of cultivated land into forest land and construction land, and the conversion of grassland into forest land and cultivated land. During the period 1990–2020, the average habitat quality index in the study area changed from 0.8617 to 0.8585, showing a slow decreasing trend. The spatial distribution of habitat quality showed a trend of “high in the south, moderate in the north, and low in the northwest”. The high habitat quality was mainly concentrated in the southern forest land, the middle habitat quality was mainly distributed in the northern cultivated land, and the low habitat quality was mainly distributed in the northwest construction land. The land use type has a great influence on habitat quality, and the interaction between any two factors is stronger than that of a single factor. The temporal and spatial variation of habitat quality is influenced by both natural and human factors. This study provides a theoretical basis for ecological protection and nature reserve planning in the Qinling Mountains region.

Can cattle grazing contribute to butterfly habitat? Using butterfly behavior as an index of habitat quality in an agroecosystem

Can cattle grazing contribute to butterfly habitat? Using butterfly behavior as an index of habitat quality in an agroecosystem

Dynamic simulation of land use change and habitat quality assessment under climate change scenarios in Nanchang, China.

Investigating habitat quality under different climate scenarios holds significant importance for sustainable land resource management and ecological conservation. In this study, considering Nanchang as a case study, a coupled patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) and system dynamics (SD) model was employed in the simulation and prediction of land usage under shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) and representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios. To assess the habitat quality in Nanchang from 2000 to 2020 and in 2030 under three diverse climate scenarios, we used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model to analyze spatial and temporal changes. The findings indicate that the regions of forest land, cultivated land, and grassland in Nanchang City will dramatically decrease by 2030, the construction land will rapidly expand, and the fluctuations in the unutilized land and water area will be minimal. Additionally, the habitat quality declined from 2000 to 2020, and its spatial distributions changed. Zones having a high overall habitat quality were distributed in the mountains, hills, and lake areas, whereas those with relatively low quality were found in cultivated and urban areas. Under three climate scenarios, in 2030, the habitat quality index for Nanchang City will show a decreasing trend, mainly owing to areas with an index of 0.3-0.5 transitioning to <0.3. Considering each scenario, the degree of habitat degradation increased in the order SSP585>SSP245>SSP119. The findings of this study will inform high-quality development and biodiversity conservation in Nanchang City.

Spatiotemporal evolution of habitat quality and its response to landscape patterns in karst mountainous cities: a case study of Guiyang City in China.

Habitat quality heterogeneity is one of the concrete manifestations of landscape pattern changes caused by human activities, which is of great significance to improve habitat quality by optimizing landscape pattern, thus scientifically protecting biodiversity and promoting ecological civilization construction. The coupling of rapid urbanization and ecological restoration measures has had a significant influence on the habitat quality of fragile and fragmented karst mountainous cities in recent years. In this study, spatiotemporal dynamics and heterogeneity of habitat quality and the impact of landscape patterns on habitat quality are analyzed in Guiyang, a typical karst mountain city in southwest China, mainly using the key methodologies such as the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model, Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), and hierarchical partitioning (HP). We found that the habitat quality index of Guiyang City improved from 0.6643 to 0.6988 during 2000-2019; the distribution of habitat quality has significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity and spatial aggregation effect with the low values or the decreased areas concentrated in and around the built-up areas or urbanization expansion areas. Landscape composition had greater contribution than landscape configuration to habitat quality. The increased areas of natural habitat have had a positive effect on habitat quality. Moreover, each landscape configuration had a significant positive or negative correlation with the habitat quality. Therefore, implementing ecological protection and restoration measures in karst mountainous cities might be an effective strategy to improve habitat quality during rapid urbanization. Furthermore, optimizing habitat patterns, reducing the habitats loss, and protecting the natural habitat integrity are crucial to improving and maintaining biodiversity in the study area.

The conceptual design of a stream island index for physical habitat complexity assessment in stream restoration projects

Most literature on geomorphology, hydraulics, or stream ecology contained either no mention or a brief description of stream islands, the process, the development, or the ecological advantages provided. Due to a lack of information, research, and related data, there were no stream island indexes available to indicate the stream island status. Motivated by this fact, the objective of this study is to develop a conceptual design for a Stream Island Index (SII) as a template for physical habitat complexity assessment in stream restoration projects. Specific purposes included: 1) to examine stream island conceptual models; 2) to develop obvious and comprehensive explanations for stream island development by considering attributes from the geomorphic, hydraulic, and ecological perspectives. This study used the AHP method for screening and selecting attributes, transforming and developing sub-indices, assigning weights, and formulating an index. The conclusion is an SII that combines the measures of selected physical habitat quality indicators to produce a single dimensionless number, and a novel approach to communicate information on stream island quality status to the public and related policymakers. It seems essential that a serious attempt be developed to design a system that can identify the overall stream island condition. Once a generalized stream island system is set up as a controlling framework, supplementary indexes for specific purposes and locations can be added. Therefore, the SII is a promising new tool for stream restoration practitioners, and it has the potential to make a significant contribution to improving the success of stream restoration projects.