黄河流域榆神府煤炭矿区生态环境时空变化

Spatial-temporal variation of ecological environment in Yushenfu coal mining area of the Yellow River Basin

关键词:  黄河流域  遥感生态指数  煤炭矿山  生态修复

Key words:  Yellow River Basin  RSEI  coal mining area  ecological restoration

摘要:

在黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展重大战略背景下，基于遥感技术揭示黄河流域典型矿区生态环境时空变化特征，以期为黄河流域生态环境保护提供科学依据。以生态环境脆弱性较为典型的榆神府煤炭矿区为例，利用Landsat 5/8遥感数据构建2011—2021年矿区遥感生态指数RSEI（remote sensing ecology index）模型，对矿区开展生态环境质量时空变化特征分析。结果表明：研究区RSEI年均值先由2011年的0.535增至0.659（2013年），后逐渐降至0.389（2021年），生态质量空间差异明显；在各生态指数中，热度主成分绝对值在0.736—0.890，对研究区生态环境变化影响程度高于绿度；从生态质量面积上看，中等等级趋于稳定（43%—47%），较好等级减少较为明显，不同开采强度区变化波动较大。在暖干化气候胁迫背景下，煤炭矿区亟待解决生态修复难题，提高生态环境质量。

Abstract:

Background, aim, and scope Ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin are central strategic priorities for China. The basin serves as a major coal energy base, with the Yushenfu coal mining area exemplifying a region of considerable ecological fragility. This study leverages remote sensing technology to investigate the temporal and spatial variability of the ecological environment in representative mining areas of the Yellow River Basin, thereby providing a scientific framework for informed ecological protection and sustainable development in the region. Materials and methods This paper uses Landsat 5/8 remote sensing data to construct the RSEI (remote sensing ecology index) model for the mining area from 2011 to 2021. The study analyzes the temporal and spatial variation characteristics of the ecological environment quality in the coal mining area. Results The annual average RSEI in the study area increased from 0.535 in 2011 to 0.659 in 2013, before gradually decreasing to 0.389 in 2021. The spatial variation of ecological quality was significant. Among the ecological indices, the absolute value of the heat component ranged from 0.736 to 0.890, having a greater impact on the ecological changes in the study area compared to greenness. In terms of ecological quality areas, those rated as medium quality remained relatively stable (43%—47%), while areas of better ecological quality declined notably. The changes in areas with varying mining intensities fluctuated significantly. Discussion The changes in ecological quality in the study area are attributed to both climatic factors and human mining activities. From 2011 to 2021, the decline in ecological quality was primarily due to rising temperatures, the expansion of mining areas, and increased mining intensity. In the first three years, favorable hydrothermal conditions led to significant improvements in ecological quality. However, as precipitation decreased sharply, temperatures rose, and mining intensity increased, the ecological quality deteriorated. In the past three years, there has been some recovery in ecological quality, potentially linked to the protection policies outlined in the “Ecological Protection and High-Quality Development Plan of the Yellow River Basin”. Strengthening mining management, implementing timely pollution control, and restoring ecosystems are essential for improving ecological quality. Conclusions In the context of climate-induced warming and drying stress, the ecological quality index in the study area fell below 0.5, indicating a downward trend in ecological quality, with areas of better ecological quality decreasing by nearly half. Ecological restoration is urgently needed to improve the overall ecological environment. Recommendations and perspectives Focus on engineering management and ecological restoration technologies in coal mining areas, particularly in ecologically fragile regions. It is essential to implement integrated planning for mining activities and ecological quality improvement to achieve sustainable development.