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Chinese urbanization promoted terrestrial ecosystem health by implementing high-quality development and ecological management
  • +2
  • Chunbo Huang,
  • Shuangshuang Liu,
  • Xixi Du,
  • Yi Qin,
  • Lei Deng
Chunbo Huang
China University of Geosciences School of Geography and Information Engineering

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Shuangshuang Liu
China University of Geosciences School of Geography and Information Engineering
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Xixi Du
China University of Geosciences School of Foreign Languages
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Yi Qin
China University of Geosciences School of Foreign Languages
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Lei Deng
Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources Institute of Soil and Water Conservation
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Abstract

High-quality urbanization and a healthy ecosystem are both the material basis for sustainable social development. However, the tie between terrestrial ecosystem health and urbanization is still unclear. Therefore, we assessed the spatial and temporal dynamics of urbanization and TEH at 368 cities in China from 2000 to 2020, then explored their spatial interaction and driving mechanisms by spatial autocorrelation analysis and structural equation modeling. The results showed: (1) China’s comprehensive urbanization index (UI) improved from 0.08 in 2000 to 0.10 in 2020, contributing by some national urban agglomerations such as Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta. (2) China’s terrestrial ecosystem health index (EHI) also increased from 0.6718 to 0.6788. Ecosystem vigor improved significantly, while ecosystem organization and resilience both decreased. (3) EHI and UI appeared to be locally spatially dependent, and path dependence was presented at municipal scales. (4) At the national scale, urbanization is positive related to EHI, which were enhanced by social, economic and topography factors. The dominant drivers on EHI varied among regions, and urbanization improved EHI in all regions except for the southwest. Our study demonstrated that urbanization would promote terrestrial ecosystem health by implementing high-quality development and ecological management simultaneously, providing theoretical support for urban sustainable development and ecological management.
09 Nov 2023Submitted to Land Degradation & Development
10 Nov 2023Submission Checks Completed
10 Nov 2023Assigned to Editor
14 Nov 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Nov 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned