【Objective】 The construction of natural resources classification systems for protected areas is important for the conservation, supervision, and identification of rights and value-added assets in protected areas, witch can help modernizate their governance system and capacity. 【Method】 The key problems of natural resources classification in protected areas were analyzed and identified the concept of natural resources using a systematic process. Taking the investigation of protected areas as the starting point, attempts were made to establish a natural resources classification system. 【Result】 The problems of natural resources classification in various protected area stem types from the inadequacy of the classification systems, as such lack of key resources, unclear levels, overlapping resources, and unclear scope. The natural resources classification systems under the new protected areas systems involved a single natural resource classification system with four categories, eight subcategories, and twenty-one subdivisions. On this basis, the system of an organic complex of natural resources was proposed, including natural ecosystems, natural landscapes, and natural monuments. Finally, a new natural resources classification system of “Single natural resource classification system + Classification system of natural resource organic complexes” was established under the concept of new protected areas system. 【Conclusion】 Based on the results of special resource surveys on animals, wetlands, and the results of scientific research on protected areas, it is necessary to continue to deepen and refine the classification systems. Relevant documents should be issued as soon as possible to accurately define the boundaries of various natural resources. Concerning the main protection objects of protected areas, focus on the classification management of natural resources. Under the general pattern of unified management of natural resources, the classification systems of natural resources in protected areas should be integrated into the unified management systems to build a foundation for the effective management of natural resources in protected areas.
【Objective】 To explore the potential problems and conflicts of habitat quality in the Qilianshan Nature Reserve as per future land use changes; to respond to the regional ecological environmental protection policy per the concept of “Mountain, Water, Forest, Field, Lake, Grass, and Sand”, and to provide a scientific basis for regional ecological management and sustainable development. 【Method】 Based on five phases of land use data from 2000 to 2020, the PLUS model was used to simulate land use under different scenarios in the future through 2030. The InVEST model was coupled to assess and predict the current and future habitat quality of the Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve. 【Results】 Land use in the Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve was dominated by grassland, forest land, and unused land, and an increase in the area of ecological land. The increase in the area of ecological land under the ecological protection scenario was significantly higher than under the natural development scenario for 2030. Habitat quality showed a spatial distribution pattern of “low in the northwest and high in the southeast,” with the mean value of habitat quality from 2000 to 2020 as follows: 0.656 2, 0.656 3, 0.665 8, 0.664 6, and 0.665 7, respectively. This showed a fluctuating trend of increasing, decreasing, and increasing values. The average value of habitat quality in 2030 was 0.667 9 under the ecological protection scenario and 0.665 6 under the natural development scenario. The total habitat contribution under the ecological protection scenario was greater than that under the natural development scenario. The degree of habitat degradation increased and then decreased from 2000 to 2030, showed a spatial distribution from weak to strong circles from the center outwards, with the most degraded areas located at the edges of grassland adjacent to unused land—the areas most affected by human activities. 【Conclusion】 The habitat quality of the Qilian Mountain Nature Reserve is developing in a positive direction; the habitat quality under the future ecological protection scenario is significantly better than that under the natural development scenario; strengthening the protection of ecological land such as woodland and grassland is conducive to the improvement of habitat quality.
【Objective】 Changes in landscape patterns and ecosystem service values (ESVs) in the Fuxian Lake basin are affected by the “Four Retreats and Three Returns” protection policy. Quantitatively understanding such changes can provide a reference for the protection of watershed landscapes. 【Method】 Four sets of remote sensing images taken from 2006 to 2021 (before and after the implementation of the “Four Retreats and Three Returns” protection policy) were selected for landscape classification, and the land use dynamics, transfer matrix and landscape pattern indices were calculated. The ESVs were evaluated using the equivalent factor method and the SPSS software package was used to analyze the correlations between the ESVs in the watershed and the landscape pattern indices. 【Result】 The results indicated that the forested and water system areas in the Fuxian Lake basin were small, while the construction land area was expanding before the implementation of the “Four Retreats and Three Returns” protection policy. The landscape pattern was also complicated and fragmented, with weak connectivity and low ESVs. After the policy was implemented, the forested area increased significantly, the expansion of construction land slowed significantly, and the rate of water system reduction decreased. The degree of fragmentation of the landscape pattern also decreased and the connectivity was enhanced. The ESVs in the basin increased significantly. (2) The ESVs in the Fuxian Lake basin were connected with the landscape pattern, and the total basin ESV was significantly positively correlated with CONTAGE and negatively correlated with SHDI and SHEI. Among the individual ESVs, supply services were significantly negatively correlated with LPI, regulation and support services were significantly positively correlated with CONTAGE and significantly negatively correlated with SHDI and SHEI, and cultural services were significantly positively correlated with CONTAGE. 【Conclusion】 Future studies should focus on the mechanism behind these changes and provide a reference for the next step in protecting and managing the Fuxian Lake basin.
【Objective】 As per the new era and the comprehensive development of territorial spatial planning and the proposed rural revitalization strategy, the evaluation of village development potential is basic to rural planning and construction. The evaluation is also the core link to village planning under territorial spatial planning and a key guide to the classification of villages. 【Method】 Taking “background explanation-potential evaluation-village classification-classification pattern-development strategy” as the research path, seven criterion layers and 19 indicator layers were constructed according to the structural framework of target layer-criterion layer-indicator layer. The weights of indicators were determined by AHP and the entropy weight method. Based on this, villages in Lingbi County in Anhui Province were classified. Next, the landscape pattern of classified villages was analyzed based on Fragstats. 【Result】 Lingbi County in Anhui Province was divided into four types of villages: agglomeration enhancement, suburban integration, characteristic protection and relocation and withdrawal. Agglomeration enhancement villages had the largest landscape area, the most complex landscape shape, and the highest landscape agglomeration degree. The patch integration degree of suburban-integrated villages was the highest with the best landscape connectivity. The landscape complexity of the villages of relocation and withdrawal was the highest. Corresponding development strategies were proposed for different village types. 【Conclusion】 Corresponding development strategies are put forward for different village types: agglomeration and upgrading villages have a certain scale, an important breakthrough for rural modernization. During construction, the village layout should be optimized, the internal structure of the village should be properly adjusted, the construction of the village infrastructure should be improved, and the village’s appearance should be improved. The relationship between protection and development should be fully considered, and the integrity, authenticity, and continuity of village characteristics should be emphasized. In the construction of suburban-integrated villages, we should make use of their location advantages, focus on improving the village’s internal facilities, optimize the spatial layout, and discourage continuous expansion. At the same time, the overall style of the village should be different from the urban landscape—industrial development should be combined with the characteristics of the villages, village resources should be integrated, and the docking and integration of urban and rural industries should be strengthened. As per different industries, block division is conducted to realize the centralized development of industry and the intensive development of land. The natural resources in the villages should be protected, and rational land use and local resources should be combined to build characteristic tourism projects to develop village tourism. The relocation and withdrawal villages should merge, through spatial integration, with neighboring villages with high development potential to form the scale effect of village merger. The merger will enhance development potential and comprehensive competitiveness. The intention to relocate villagers and the restoration of rural ecology should be important considerations. The study provides method reference and a decision basis for the evaluation and classification of county-level rural potential.
【Objective】 This study explored the rules governing the spatial relationships among mountains, water and the locations of traditional villages to shed light on their reasonable protection and construction. 【Method】 Jinting Town, a scenic location near Taihu Lake with well-protected traditional villages and towns, was selected as the research subject. Based on extracted digital topography, satellite maps and the general planning CAD base map data for Jinting Town, we analyzed the spatial relationships among the mountains, water and villages using ArcGIS (ver. 10.0). We also analyzed the correlations between the distributions of mountains and water with the distribution of villages. We used spatial logistic regression modeling to analyze the factors affecting the distribution of traditional villages. 【Result】 The spatial distribution of traditional villages in Jinting Town exhibited a cluster mode, with circular spatial density characteristics. The impacts of mountain elevation and distance from a river were negatively correlated with the spatial distribution of traditional villages. Owing to the terrain, which is surrounded by lakes on all sides, the circular distribution of traditional villages in Jinting Town has a special research value. The elevation of the mountains affected the direction of the water system and roads in Jinting Town and was the main driving force for constructing villages in the region. The proximity to the water also affected the distribution of villages. 【Conclusion】 Using ArcGIS and logistic regression modeling, the spatial relationships among villages, mountains, and water can be analyzed and widely used in the pre-planning stages of protecting and constructing traditional villages and towns.
