Natural and Political Determinants of Ecological Vulnerability in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau: A Case Study of Shannan, China

Changing land-use patterns in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau (QTP) due to natural factors and human interference have led higher ecological vulnerability even more underlying issues related time space this alpine area. Ecological assessment provides not only a solution surface-feature-related problems but also insight into sustainable eco-environmental planning resource management as response potential climate changes if driving are known. In study, index (EVI) of Shannan City core area QTP was assessed using selected set ecological, social, economic indicators spatial principal component analysis (SPCA) calculate their weights. The data included Landsat images socio-economic from 1990 2015, at five-year intervals. results showed that total EVI remains medium level, with minor fluctuations over 25 years (peaks 2000, when there sudden increase slight vulnerability, which switched extreme vulnerability), gradually increases east west. addition, distinct positive correlation between degree, livestock husbandry output, desertification area, grassland artificial afforestation program (AAP) has effect by preventing environment becoming vulnerable. provide practical information suggestions for planners take measures improve degree urban pastoral areas based on spatial-temporal heterogeneity City.