Monitoring Multi-Scale Ecological Change and Its Potential Drivers in the Economic Zone of the Tianshan Mountains’ Northern Slopes, Xinjiang, China

A recent study reveals that the ecological quality of the Urumqi-Changji-Shihezi metropolitan area on the northern slopes of the Tianshan Mountains has significantly deteriorated compared to other regions, despite an overall rising trend in ecological quality across the region. The research used remote sensing data and geographic detectors to analyze land use changes and human disturbance impacts. Key findings include the expansion of built-up and agricultural lands at the expense of grasslands, increased human disturbance on glaciers, and a spatial pattern where ecological quality is highest in mountainous and agricultural areas but lowest in Gobi and desert regions. Surface temperature (LST) and vegetation index (NDVI) were identified as the most critical drivers of ecological change, with human interference playing a more significant role in built-up oasis areas. The study underscores the urgent need for strengthened ecological conservation efforts to mitigate the impacts of urban and agricultural land expansion.

Tang, L., Kasimu, A., Ma, H., & Eziz, M. (2023). Monitoring Multi-Scale Ecological Change and Its Potential Drivers in the Economic Zone of the Tianshan Mountains’ Northern Slopes, Xinjiang, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(4), 2844. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20042844