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Chinese Journal of Ecology ›› 2025, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (10): 3349-3359.doi: 10.13292/j.1000-4890.202510.033

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Impacts of human activity intensity on landscape patterns of Xiaoqing River estuary wetlands. 

YAN Chang1, YU Junbao2*, LI Yunzhao1, ZHOU Di1, QU Chenyu1, BAI Yunyi1, GUAN Bo1, WANG Xuehong1, YANG Jisong1   

  1. (1Institute for Advanced Study of Coastal Ecology, Ludong University, Yantai 264025, Shandong, China; 2National Plateau Wetlands Research Center, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China).

  • Online:2025-10-10 Published:2025-10-11

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Abstract: The landscape patterns of estuarine wetlands are strongly affected by human activities. Therefore, investigating the impacts of human activity intensity on the landscape pattern of estuarine wetlands is of great significance for improving wetland conservation. In this study, we analyzed the spatial patterns of the Xiaoqing River estuary wetland landscape during 2013 to 2023 by using remote sensing images, night light data, and population data. We quantitatively analyzed the response of the wetland landscape pattern to human activity intensity based on the human activity intensity model and the gradient variations of the landscape patterns of the Xiaoqing River estuary wetlands along with human activity intensity. The results showed that during the past ten years, the total area and landscape diversity of the Xiaoqing River estuary wetlands showed a trend of initial decline and subsequent increase. The degree of landscape fragmentation and aggregation showed an initial rise followed by a decrease, whereas there were no changes in landscape connectivity. The spatial variations of human activity intensity in the Xiaoqing River estuary were substantial. The proportion of constructed wetlands with moderate and relatively high intensity of human activity was the largest, while the proportion of natural wetlands with high intensity of human activity was the smallest. There was a strong association between human activity intensity and wetland landscape indices in the Xiaoqing River estuary. The intensity of human activity had a positive correlation with PD, SHEI, SHDI, and CONTAG, and a significantly negative correlation with COHESION and AI. In conclusion, the spatial differences in human activity intensity determined the development direction of the landscape pattern of the Xiaoqing River estuary wetlands. Our findings can aid in decision-making about the management of human activity and the preservation of wetlands in the Xiaoqing River estuary.


Key words: human activity intensity, wetland, landscape pattern, Xiaoqing River estuary