Mapping and evaluation of landscape ecological status using geographic indices extracted from remote sensing imagery of the Pearl River Delta, China, between 1998 and 2008

Abstract

This paper presents a method of mapping and monitoring ecological quality and environmental change using an ecological evaluation model (EEM), which is based on remote sensing data of the Pearl River Delta region in Guangdong, China. Five geographical indices were selected: Impervious Surface, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Land Surface Temperature, and Greenness and Brightness generated from the Tasseled Cap Transformation. These geographical indices are of ecological significance and they were used as variables to build the EEM through factor analysis. In addition, land use maps derived from remote sensing data were overlaid on these five index maps to analyze the effects of land use change on ecological status. Based on the EEM values, five levels of ecological zones were identified using a standarddeviation segmenting method. The results showed that the areas of the first and second levels decreased significantly, those of the third and fourth levels increased, and the area of the fifth level remained unchanged. It was established that the remote sensing method is practical for the analysis of ecological change, thus this work could be considered a case study for other ecological monitoring research.

A Remotely Sensed Assessment of Surface Ecological Change over the Gomishan Wetland, Iran

“…Among these indices, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and land surface temperature (LST) are the most common [21][22][23][24]. Because single satellite-based parameters, which are often used, show only one aspect of the ecological situation, they are not sufficient to reflect the extent and spatiotemporal characteristics of ecological quality change comprehensively [25][26][27]. Some studies have shown that a combination of several satellite-based indices can model spatiotemporal changes in surface ecological conditions more accurately [27][28][29].…”

“…Because single satellite-based parameters, which are often used, show only one aspect of the ecological situation, they are not sufficient to reflect the extent and spatiotemporal characteristics of ecological quality change comprehensively [25][26][27]. Some studies have shown that a combination of several satellite-based indices can model spatiotemporal changes in surface ecological conditions more accurately [27][28][29]. Surface ecological conditions are one of the key factors in the improvement of ecosystem structure and performance and the maintenance of ecosystem characteristics and services [30][31][32].…”

Impact of Underground Coal Mining on Regional Landscape Pattern Change Based on Life Cycle: A Case Study in Peixian, China

“…Therefore, global warming, air pollution, forest and grassland degradation, the irresponsible use of water resources, and the sustainable use of natural resources in all areas have been brought to the agenda [4][5][6][7]. Ecologists have improved their understanding of ecosystem processes, including landscape dynamics, energy and material circulation of species and the driving mechanism from different spatial scales [8][9]. In coal mining areas, a special and complex type of geographic area, long-term, large-scale and intense mining inevitably damage the primary geology of coal deposits, occupy and even destroy large amounts of land and cause vegetation degradation, soil erosion by water, a decline in biodiversity and other serious ecological problems [10][11][12].…”

“…Quantitative landscape information over time is considered the first necessity for understanding consequences from landscape changes [21]. In recent years, various means such as remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system (GIS), as well as a large number of indices representing the geometric features of landscape, have been widely used in the study of landscape pattern changes [8,[22][23][24]. LPC in coal mining areas are a comprehensive reflection of the impact of mining activities on local ecosystems.…”

The Ecological Security Pattern and Its Constraint on Urban Expansion of a Black Soil Farming Area in Northeast China

“…Warntz advocated that ecological security patterns could be constructed by reference to ecological resistance surfaces [26], and Yu applied the concept of ESP to the construction of greenways, biodiversity conservation and urban planning [17]. Based on comprehensive discussions of landscape ecology and land use [27], multiple models and methodologies have been used to explore deeper connections between ecology and land use, and specific research on individual regions and objectives has been widely discussed [28][29][30][31][32]. Studies on land planning and management have mainly been concerned with ecological security evaluation by establishing an analytical framework and evaluation models such as the multi-objective optimization model, the cellular automata model and the calculation of ecosystem services value [33][34][35][36].…”