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Arid Land Geography ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (11): 1983-1994.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2025.221

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatiotemporal changes and driving factors of ecological environment quality in the Shanxi section of the Yellow River Basin from 2000 to 2023

ZHANG Yin1,2(), SUN Congjian3(), LIU Geng1,2, CHAO Jinlong1,2, GENG Tianwei1,2, LIU Honghong1,2   

  1. 1. School of Geographical Science, Taiyuan Normal University, Jinzhong 030619, Shanxi, China
    2. Shanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology Security in Fenhe River Valley, Taiyuan Normal University, Jinzhong 030619, Shanxi, China
    3. School of Geographical Science, Shanxi Normal University, Taiyuan 030031, Shanxi, China
  • Received:2025-04-22 Revised:2025-08-03 Online:2025-11-25 Published:2025-11-26
  • Contact: SUN Congjian E-mail:zhyin3621@163.com;suncongjian@sina.com

Abstract:

Based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, this study coupled aerosol optical depth with the remote sensing ecological index to construct a modified remote sensing ecological index (MRSEI) for comprehensively evaluating the spatiotemporal variation and driving mechanisms of ecological environment quality in the Shanxi section of the Yellow River Basin, China, from 2000 to 2023. The results show that: (1) MRSEI substantially improved the accuracy of ecological environment quality assessment, with stronger texture features and better detail representation. (2) From 2000 to 2023, ecological environment quality in the study area improved overall. Most areas were classified as general or good, with only a small proportion at poor levels. Spatially, MRSEI indicated a low-high gradient from northwest to southeast. The western part of Lüliang City exhibited the poorest ecological quality, with unfavorable conditions also observed in Datong City, Shuozhou City, and Xinzhou City. In contrast, Changzhi City, eastern Linfen City, parts of Jincheng City, and eastern Yuncheng City showed the best conditions. (3) Land use type exerted the greatest influence on ecological environment quality, followed by annual precipitation, slope, and elevation. Interactions among factors were significantly enhanced, particularly between land use type and other variables. This study provides a scientific basis for ecological environment protection and sustainable development in the Shanxi section of the Yellow River Basin.

Key words: Shanxi section of the Yellow River Basin, modified remote sensing ecological index, ecological environment quality, spatial autocorrelation, optimal parameters-based geographic detector