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| Comprehensive evaluation of eco-environmental sensitivity in Inner Mongolia, China |
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Abstract Using the integrated approach of GIS and RS technology, four factors including land desertification, soil erosion, soil salinization and biodiversity reduction were selected to establish the evaluation model of eco-environmental sensitivity in the present study. This paper analyzed the eco-environmental sensitivity and revealed its spatial characteristics in a quantitative way. The insensitive and extremely sensitive areas of land desertification made up 35.9% and 10.1% of the study area (1.183million square km), respectively. The surrounding areas of desertification in Inner Mongolia were the most environmentally sensitive regions. This was due to strong wind in winter and spring in these areas, and the soil mainly consists of sand and was seldom covered by vegetation. The slight, moderate and highly sensitive areas of soil erosion comprised about 43.9%, 30.2% and 19.2%, respectively. The trend of soil erosion sensitivity decreased gradually from Southeast to Northwest of Inner Mongolia, which was mainly a result of the vertical dropping slopes and spatial variation of precipitation. The insensitive and extremely sensitive areas of soil salinization made up 57.6% and 14.6%, respectively. The northwestern and eastern parts of Inner Mongolia were the most environmentally sensitive areas. The primary causes were negative impacts of arid climate and human activities. The insensitive, highly and extremely sensitive areas of bio-inhabitation comprise 30.5%, 25.1% and 10.6%, respectively. Highly sensitive areas are located in the northeastern parts of Inner Mongolia. The reason was that species richness was positively correlated with precipitation and vegetation cover in these areas. The highly and extremely sensitive areas of comprehensive eco-environment made up 27.9% and 9.6%, respectively. The high and extremely sensitive areas were located in the moderate and northern parts, and the insensitive, slight and moderate sensitive areas in the northwestern, northeastern and southeastern parts of Inner Mongolia.
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Received: 19 May 2014
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