Spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of landscape in the Yellow River Basin from 1985 to 2020

IntroductionUnderstanding the landscape evolution and driving mechanisms in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is crucial for safeguarding the ecological environment and promoting high-quality development in the region.MethodsThe analysis of spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of land use/land cover...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Chao-fan Guo, Dongliang Zhao, Mei-fang Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1611874/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849428924045459456
author Chao-fan Guo
Dongliang Zhao
Mei-fang Feng
author_facet Chao-fan Guo
Dongliang Zhao
Mei-fang Feng
author_sort Chao-fan Guo
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionUnderstanding the landscape evolution and driving mechanisms in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is crucial for safeguarding the ecological environment and promoting high-quality development in the region.MethodsThe analysis of spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of land use/land cover (LULC) and landscape pattern (LP) in the YRB employed transfer matrix and landscape pattern index models. Furthermore, a random forest regression method was utilized to investigate the driving mechanism behind landscape evolution.ResultsBased on our research findings, it is evident that significant changes have occurred in LULC, which have had profound implications for regional landscape patterns. The evolution of these patterns can be categorized into distinct stages. Between 1985 and 2010, there was a noticeable increase in clustering and interconnectedness, while between 2010 and 2020, this trend shifted. Grassland transformation primarily influenced landscape pattern evolution, whereas other LULC classifications had relatively limited effects on overall landscape integrity, diversity, and connectivity. Changes in grassland predominantly occurred at the outskirts of established grassland regions, while alterations in other LULC classifications were more sporadic due to human activities exerting influence.DiscussionLandscape evolution is synthetically influenced by both social and natural factors. Local changes are driven by social factors, while long-term gradual changes are primarily shaped by natural factors. Over the past three decades, social factors have played a significant role in shaping YRB’s landscapes.
format Article
id doaj-art-3eb5d3348e5b4d91bce4ad71826301c1
institution Kabale University
issn 2296-701X
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
spelling doaj-art-3eb5d3348e5b4d91bce4ad71826301c12025-08-20T03:28:32ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution2296-701X2025-07-011310.3389/fevo.2025.16118741611874Spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of landscape in the Yellow River Basin from 1985 to 2020Chao-fan Guo0Dongliang Zhao1Mei-fang Feng2College of Business, Quzhou University, Quzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaCollege of Resources Environment and Tourism, Capital Normal University, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Business, Quzhou University, Quzhou, Zhejiang, ChinaIntroductionUnderstanding the landscape evolution and driving mechanisms in the Yellow River Basin (YRB) is crucial for safeguarding the ecological environment and promoting high-quality development in the region.MethodsThe analysis of spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of land use/land cover (LULC) and landscape pattern (LP) in the YRB employed transfer matrix and landscape pattern index models. Furthermore, a random forest regression method was utilized to investigate the driving mechanism behind landscape evolution.ResultsBased on our research findings, it is evident that significant changes have occurred in LULC, which have had profound implications for regional landscape patterns. The evolution of these patterns can be categorized into distinct stages. Between 1985 and 2010, there was a noticeable increase in clustering and interconnectedness, while between 2010 and 2020, this trend shifted. Grassland transformation primarily influenced landscape pattern evolution, whereas other LULC classifications had relatively limited effects on overall landscape integrity, diversity, and connectivity. Changes in grassland predominantly occurred at the outskirts of established grassland regions, while alterations in other LULC classifications were more sporadic due to human activities exerting influence.DiscussionLandscape evolution is synthetically influenced by both social and natural factors. Local changes are driven by social factors, while long-term gradual changes are primarily shaped by natural factors. Over the past three decades, social factors have played a significant role in shaping YRB’s landscapes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1611874/fullland use/land coverlandscape patterndriving force analysisspatial heterogeneitysustainable development
spellingShingle Chao-fan Guo
Dongliang Zhao
Mei-fang Feng
Spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of landscape in the Yellow River Basin from 1985 to 2020
Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution
land use/land cover
landscape pattern
driving force analysis
spatial heterogeneity
sustainable development
title Spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of landscape in the Yellow River Basin from 1985 to 2020
title_full Spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of landscape in the Yellow River Basin from 1985 to 2020
title_fullStr Spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of landscape in the Yellow River Basin from 1985 to 2020
title_full_unstemmed Spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of landscape in the Yellow River Basin from 1985 to 2020
title_short Spatio-temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of landscape in the Yellow River Basin from 1985 to 2020
title_sort spatio temporal evolution and driving mechanisms of landscape in the yellow river basin from 1985 to 2020
topic land use/land cover
landscape pattern
driving force analysis
spatial heterogeneity
sustainable development
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fevo.2025.1611874/full
work_keys_str_mv AT chaofanguo spatiotemporalevolutionanddrivingmechanismsoflandscapeintheyellowriverbasinfrom1985to2020
AT dongliangzhao spatiotemporalevolutionanddrivingmechanismsoflandscapeintheyellowriverbasinfrom1985to2020
AT meifangfeng spatiotemporalevolutionanddrivingmechanismsoflandscapeintheyellowriverbasinfrom1985to2020