Impact of grain for green project on landscape pattern in hilly loess region in Southern Ningxia: landscape evolution process assessment of Zhong-zhuang-cun small watershed in 1993-2005
Abstract:Grain for Green Project is one of the most critical programs due to its potential benefits in improving the ecological environment in China. In this paper, a case study on the impact of Grain for Green Project on landscape pattern was carried out in the Zhong-zhuang-cun watershed in hilly loess region in Southern Ningxia by using methods and theories of landscape ecology. The landscape metrics i.e. landscape structure, landscape heterogeneity and land use suitability were compared between 1993-2000 and 2000-2005, two stages before and during implementation of Grain for Green Project. The results indicated that the metrics of landscape structure, landscape heterogeneity and land use suitability as well as landscape pattern changed slightly in 1993-2000. But the landscape evolved tremendously in 2000-2005. The major transformations of landscape are cropland and unused land to forestland. The croplands over 25° were almost converted to forestland. The patch number of study area decreased, mean patch size increased and shape and edge metrics of landscape got complicated. Consequently, land use suitability increased significantly to 0.712 in 2005 from 0.668 in 1993 and 0.664 in 2000. The findings imply significantly that the Grain for Green Project is the main positive driving force of landscape evolution by two stages before and during GGP via employing three periods of land use maps.