The Methods And Patterns Of Ecological Vulnerability Assessment In Shanxi Based On The"3S" Technology

In recent years, many kinds of environmental problems have made an enormous influence and hinder to our society and the sustainable economic development. Research on the ecological environment has been taken seriously, especially the relationship between human activities and environmental changes. For this reason,"Ecological Vulnerability" has been recognized by more people. Research on "ecological vulnerability" is becoming popular and interdisciplinary.This article starting with the meaning of ecological vulnerability, gives a brief analysis of the theoretical framework of ecological vulnerability, and then summarizes the previous achievement of ecological vulnerability assessment, including the mathematical and research methods applied in those evaluation. Based on this theory and the characteristic of Loess Plateau where Shanxi province located in, the ecological vulnerability assessment index system of Shanxi is established. Then, integrating3S technology and statistical methods, this article quantifies the indexes, evaluate the ecological vulnerability in Shanxi Province and discusses the spatial and temporal variation.The main conclusions showed that(1) The determination of the indicator system on the ecological vulnerability assessment in Shanxi reference to the "causes-results" conceptual framework,11indicators were selected including precipitation, vegetation coverage, slope, etc. These indicators were weighted by using Analytical Hierarchy Process; we can run the assessment based on the result, and determine the main factors that cause the vulnerability in each region.(2) Judging from the ecological vulnerability index of all the counties in Shanxi, we can conclude that60%of the land in Shanxi is suffering from a moderate or severe vulnerability. Soil erosion, reduction of vegetation coverage, and the unbalanced economic development can be the main cause of the vulnerability.(3) Integrating the statistical data from2009to2013, and combining with the overlay analysis function of ArcGIS, we can create transition matrices of the area change by Excel, and based on the result to complete the dynamic analysis on the ecological vulnerability. We can conclude that the ecological vulnerability in Shanxi shows a stable situation, but the instability phenomenon which was caused by the reducing precipitation and the rising population, still existing in some counties.The quantitative and qualitative analysis on the ecological vulnerability in Shanxi can be a technical and theoretical support for environmental protection and governance. It shows a positive effect on the maintenance of regional ecological balance and the harmonious development of human and nature.