Assessing the ecological vulnerability of the upper reaches of the Minjiang River

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0181825
• Publication Date: 2017-07-28T18:09:39Z
• Authors: Jifei Zhang; Jian Sun; Baibing Ma; Wenpeng Du
• Keywords: Vulnerability

The upper reaches of the Minjiang River (URMR), located on eastern edge Tibetan Plateau in southwestern China, are an important component ecological barrier Upper Yangtze Basin. Climate change and human activities have increased sensitivity vulnerability region, which may pose a threat to security Basin negative impacts local social economic development. In this study, we analyzed land use cover (LUCC) URMR between 2000 2010, found that total rate LUCC was less than 0.50% during period. addition, net primary production (NPP) employed describe changes ecosystem vulnerability, results demonstrated slightly moderately sensitive vulnerable zones occupied largest area, distributed mainly forest, shrub, grassland ecosystems. However, compared with period from 2005, showed worsening trend 2005-2010. Exploring relationship vulnerability/sensitivity environmental factors, were positively correlated precipitation (>700 mm) aridity index (>36 mm/°C). highlight future should be further investigated, induced by climate caused alteration vulnerability.