Identification of critical ecological restoration and early warning regions in the five-lakes basin of central Yunnan

Critical ecological restoration and early warning regions have been identified in the Five-Lakes Basin of central Yunnan, China, using an innovative ecological security pattern (ESP) framework. The study highlights 15 key ecological source areas, primarily forestland and waters, totaling 787.54 km², along with a 245.72 km corridor spanning 439.90 km². Key restoration zones include pinch points, barrier points, and breakpoints, amounting to 194.69 km² in total. Future land use/cover change (LUCC) simulations under three scenarios—natural development prospect (NDP), priority urban development (PUD), and priority ecological protection (PEP)—reveal varying degrees of ecological damage under NDP and PUD, while the PEP scenario effectively protects forestland and water areas. Early warning regions, particularly in the eastern part of Dianchi Lake and northern Fuxian Lake, are identified as high-risk zones for future urban expansion threatening current ecological sources and corridors. This research provides actionable restoration strategies to enhance ecological security in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Lan, Y., Wang, J., Liu, Q., Liu, F., Liu, L., Li, J., & Luo, M. (2024). Identification of critical ecological restoration and early warning regions in the five-lakes basin of central Yunnan. Ecological Indicators, 158, 111337. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111337