Threshold Effects of Landscape Patterns on Habitat Quality under Ecological Engineering in a Karst Plateau Region
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: Despite substantial global investments in Ecological Engineering (EE), its long-term efficacy, especially in fragile karst regions, remains poorly quantified. Characterized by a fragile ecological foundation and acute human–land conflicts, karst areas require scientific assessment of Habitat Quality (HQ) to guide ecological restoration. However, mechanisms through which landscape pattern indices influence HQ under EE interventions remain poorly understood. This study integrated multi-source remote sensing data, the InVEST model, and quadratic regression analysis to systematically evaluate the spatiotemporal evolution and coupling characteristics of HQ under EE in a typical karst region, and to reveal its threshold effects. Results showed that human activities intensified landscape fragmentation and reduced HQ. Nature conservation engineering (NC) outperformed human intervention (HI) and land type optimization (TO) approaches. The Shannon’s Diversity Index (SHDI) was identified as a key regulator of HQ. Elevation and precipitation significantly promoted HQ, whereas temperature suppressed it. Threshold effects of landscape indices on HQ varied markedly among EE types: NC, HI, and TO required 5.89, 16.53, and 18.26 years, respectively, to reach peak effectiveness. We recommend prioritizing NC in ecologically stable zones and TO in fragile areas. Our findings propose a threshold-based framework for predicting spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological restoration outcomes, essential for optimizing strategies in human-modified landscapes.
Authors: Shui Li, Pingping Yang, Zhongfa Zhou, Zhongnian Ban
Institution: Guizhou Normal University
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Life on land
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4415188951
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