Reference ecosystem construction and adaptive restoration effect evaluation: A case study of a small watershed in the loess hilly region

Abstract

The loess hilly region is one of the most fragile areas in China. Many ecological restoration projects in this region are equivalent to simple afforestation and grass planting, with large investment and low benefits. Based on the concept of reference ecosystem, this study uses remote sensing data and vegetation community survey of Wanhuigou catchment, and applies methods such as redundancy analysis and GeoDetector to explore the characteristics of topography, soil, and vegetation of reference ecosystem, so as to provide restoration standards for damaged or degraded ecosystems in a small watershed. Thirteen typical and representative areas are selected to evaluate the degree of ecosystem damage and resilience, and divided into four categories according to the evaluation results and characteristics of ecosystems. Corresponding restoration measures such as protection and conservation, natural restoration, auxiliary regeneration, and ecological reconstruction are adopted for ecosystems under different scenarios with reference ecosystems as the target, and the effectiveness of implementation is assessed. The results show that the combination conditions of elevation and slope have a very important influence on the distribution of ecosystems. In the process of ecological restoration, it is necessary to deeply grasp the characteristics of soil and species diversity within the same community and among different communities, as well as their interrelationships. Adaptive restoration measures for ecosystems in different situations are conducive to the sustainability and effectiveness of ecosystem restoration. Given the complexity and diversity of habitat conditions and plant community types in Wanhuigou catchment, the results have certain universality, which can provide reference for the comprehensive management of other small watersheds in the loess hilly region, so as to achieve sustainable construction and restoration of ecosystems as well as harmonious development between humans and nature.

Localized Sustainable Development Goals Changes and Their Response to Ecosystem Services—A Case of Typical Southern Hilly Regions in China

“…For example, from 2016 to 2020, certain districts and counties in central Ganzhou showed a favorable growth trend in SDG 8, while neighboring counties faced challenges in achieving SDG 1 during the same period. To understand the temporal and spatial changes in sustainable development goals across various regions of Ganzhou, it is essential to consider factors such as specific years [21], policy adjustments [73], economic cycles [63], and natural disasters [20]. An in-depth analysis of these factors helps to better comprehend the trends in different SDG goals across regions in various years, enabling the formulation of more precise development strategies and promoting the realization of sustainable development goals.…”