Characteristics of Landscape Change Patterns at Three Distinct Stages of the Construction and Operation of the Three Gorges Reservoir From 1986 to 2017

Abstract Analyses of landscape change patterns that are based on elevation and slope can not only provide reasonable interpretations of landscape patterns but can also help to reveal evolutionary laws. As a complex geographical unit, the ecosystem environment in the middle reach of the Yangtze River has experienced great changes due to the construction of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) and its associated human activities. Here, based mainly on a digital elevation model (DEM) and remotely sensed images from 1986, 2000, 2010, and 2017 and by using GIS technology, buffer analysis, landscape element change and landscape pattern indices, the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of different elevations, slopes, and buffer landscape types were analyzed in a typical watershed, as well as an evolutionary model of the landscape pattern. The results indicated that (1) the landscape elements along the land classification and buffer zone that were influenced by the TGR construction have undergone a phased change, with the period 2000-2010 being the most dramatic period of landscape evolution during the impoundment period; (2) landscape type shifts from human-dominated farmland to nature-driven forestland and shrub-land as elevations, slopes and buffer distances increased. The landscape has shifted from diversity to relative homogeneity. (3) land types and buffer zones have exhibited a significant effect on the landscape pattern index, which is reflected in the differences in landscape type indices for spatial extension and temporal characteristics. The results of this study illustrate the pronounced effect of the TGR on landscape patterns, and these findings will elucidate the scientific basis and provide a reference for sustainable land resource management in the study region.

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Landscape change patterns at three stages of the construction and operation of the TGP

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-87732-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ruikang Li ◽

Yangbing Li ◽

Bo Li ◽

Dianji Fu

Keyword(s):

Landscape Pattern ◽

Landscape Change ◽

Ecological Security ◽

Three Gorges ◽

Temporal Characteristics ◽

Landscape Type ◽

The Three Gorges ◽

Landscape Types ◽

Landscape Ecological ◽

Landscape Ecological Security

AbstractAnalyses of landscape change patterns that are based on elevation and slope can not only provide reasonable interpretations of landscape patterns but can also help to reveal evolutionary laws. However, landscape change patterns and their model in different landforms of the typical watershed in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) has not been quantified and assessed effectively. As a complex geographical unit, the ecological environment in the middle reach of the Yangtze River has experienced great changes due to the construction of the Three Gorges Project (TGP) and its associated human activities. Here, based mainly on a digital elevation model (DEM) and remotely sensed images from 1986, 2000, 2010, and 2017 and by using GIS technology, speeds/ trends of landscape change, the index of landscape type change intensity, landscape pattern indices, and landscape ecological security index, the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of different elevations, slopes, and buffer landscape types were analyzed in typical watersheds, as well as an evolutionary model of the landscape pattern. The results indicated that (1) the landscape types along with the land classification and buffer zone that were influenced by the TGR construction have undergone a phased change, with the period 2000–2010 being the most dramatic period of landscape evolution during the impoundment period; (2) landscape type shifts from human-dominated farmland to nature-driven forestland and shrub-land as elevations, slopes and buffer distances increased. The landscape has shifted from diversity to relative homogeneity; (3) land types and buffer zones played essential roles in the landscape pattern index, which is reflected in the differences in landscape type indices for spatial extension and temporal characteristics. The results of this paper illustrate the spatial–temporal characteristics of various landscape types at three distinct stages in the construction of the TGR. These findings indicate that the landscape ecological security of the watershed is improving year by year. The follow-up development of the TGRA needs to consider the landscape change patterns of different landforms.

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