Landscape Ecological Risk Assessment and Risk Factor Detection Supported by RS and GIS

Landscape ecological risk refers to the degree and severity of damage that an ecosystem"s structure, function, and services may experience under natural or human-induced disturbances. Accurately identifying and analyzing risk factors is a critical step in pinpointing ecologically vulnerable areas and major sources of risk. This process provides scientific support for ecological protection, land use planning, and policy formulation.This study focuses on the western permafrost region of Hulunbuir, using MODIS remote sensing data combined with the Geodetector method to conduct a comprehensive assessment and analysis of landscape ecological risk from 2001 to 2021. By constructing a landscape ecological risk evaluation model, the study delves into the spatiotemporal dynamics of land use changes and landscape pattern evolution, while detecting the associated risk factors.The findings reveal the following: (1) Grassland is the dominant landscape type in the region, wetland landscapes show a significant expansion trend, and urban and industrial areas are continuously growing, reflecting accelerated urbanization and industrialization; (2) Over the past 20 years, the region"s overall ecological risk has gradually declined, with low-risk areas expanding, largely due to the increased wetlands and their functions in water conservation, climate regulation, and more. However, the ecological risks in the border areas between farmland and forests remain high, mainly due to landscape fragmentation and edge effects; (3) Human interference is the predominant ecological risk factor, exerting a greater impact than terrain, topography, and climate. The geographic detector analysis further emphasizes the compound impact of interactions among various factors on landscape ecological risks. Effectively identifying and evaluating regional landscape patterns and ecological risks holds significant practical value for understanding ecosystem security and potential future benefits.