Projecting Future Land Use Evolution and Its Effect on Spatiotemporal Patterns of Habitat Quality in China

In recent years, irrational land development has caused significant habitat quality problems. Previous habitat quality studies have mainly concentrated on medium- and small-sized areas, and few studies have conducted a comprehensive long-term analysis of terrestrial habitat quality in large countrie...

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Main Authors: Yiqing Chen, Fengyu Zhang, Jinyao Lin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1042
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author Yiqing Chen
Fengyu Zhang
Jinyao Lin
author_facet Yiqing Chen
Fengyu Zhang
Jinyao Lin
author_sort Yiqing Chen
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, irrational land development has caused significant habitat quality problems. Previous habitat quality studies have mainly concentrated on medium- and small-sized areas, and few studies have conducted a comprehensive long-term analysis of terrestrial habitat quality in large countries. Accordingly, this research aimed to identify the changes in land use and habitat quality in China during the last four decades. The InVEST method was employed for evaluating China’s habitat quality. This evaluation included both habitat degradation and habitat quality scores. Then, the FLUS and InVEST methods were combined to project future land use evolution in China through 2050 and assess its effect on habitat quality. Our study demonstrated a robust connection between habitat quality and the spatial distribution of land use classes, topography, and resource availability. Furthermore, over the past four decades, high-quality habitats in the country have been degrading and shrinking, while low-quality habitats have been expanding. The projection results indicate that the habitat problems in China will become increasingly severe over the coming decades. Our study suggests that the habitat quality in China should be improved by optimizing land use patterns, stabilizing areas with optimal habitat conditions, and restoring degraded habitats.
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spelling doaj-art-e7ade9bad5664097adc46997756e7e642025-08-20T02:12:38ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-01153104210.3390/app15031042Projecting Future Land Use Evolution and Its Effect on Spatiotemporal Patterns of Habitat Quality in ChinaYiqing Chen0Fengyu Zhang1Jinyao Lin2School of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaSchool of Geography and Remote Sensing, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou 510006, ChinaIn recent years, irrational land development has caused significant habitat quality problems. Previous habitat quality studies have mainly concentrated on medium- and small-sized areas, and few studies have conducted a comprehensive long-term analysis of terrestrial habitat quality in large countries. Accordingly, this research aimed to identify the changes in land use and habitat quality in China during the last four decades. The InVEST method was employed for evaluating China’s habitat quality. This evaluation included both habitat degradation and habitat quality scores. Then, the FLUS and InVEST methods were combined to project future land use evolution in China through 2050 and assess its effect on habitat quality. Our study demonstrated a robust connection between habitat quality and the spatial distribution of land use classes, topography, and resource availability. Furthermore, over the past four decades, high-quality habitats in the country have been degrading and shrinking, while low-quality habitats have been expanding. The projection results indicate that the habitat problems in China will become increasingly severe over the coming decades. Our study suggests that the habitat quality in China should be improved by optimizing land use patterns, stabilizing areas with optimal habitat conditions, and restoring degraded habitats.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1042habitat qualitywildlife habitatland use and cover changeconservationurban sprawlChina
spellingShingle Yiqing Chen
Fengyu Zhang
Jinyao Lin
Projecting Future Land Use Evolution and Its Effect on Spatiotemporal Patterns of Habitat Quality in China
Applied Sciences
habitat quality
wildlife habitat
land use and cover change
conservation
urban sprawl
China
title Projecting Future Land Use Evolution and Its Effect on Spatiotemporal Patterns of Habitat Quality in China
title_full Projecting Future Land Use Evolution and Its Effect on Spatiotemporal Patterns of Habitat Quality in China
title_fullStr Projecting Future Land Use Evolution and Its Effect on Spatiotemporal Patterns of Habitat Quality in China
title_full_unstemmed Projecting Future Land Use Evolution and Its Effect on Spatiotemporal Patterns of Habitat Quality in China
title_short Projecting Future Land Use Evolution and Its Effect on Spatiotemporal Patterns of Habitat Quality in China
title_sort projecting future land use evolution and its effect on spatiotemporal patterns of habitat quality in china
topic habitat quality
wildlife habitat
land use and cover change
conservation
urban sprawl
China
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/3/1042
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