Ecology and Environmental Sciences ›› 2026, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (6): 898-908.DOI: 10.16258/j.cnki.1674-5906.2026.06.007

• Research Article [Ecology] • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatio-temporal Forest Cover Dynamics and Driving Processes in Southwest China (1986‒2018)

LUO Manqiu1,2,3(), TONG Xiaowei1,2,*(), YUE Yuemin1,2, CHANG Jingyi1,2,3, QI Xiangkun1,2, WANG Kelin1,2   

  1. 1 Institute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha 410125, P. R. China
    2 Guangxi Key Laboratory of Karst Ecological Processes and Services/Huanjiang Observation and Research Station for Karst Ecosystems, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Huanjiang 547100, P. R. China
    3 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
  • Received:2025-10-11 Revised:2026-01-21 Accepted:2026-03-07 Online:2026-06-18 Published:2026-06-08

西南三省1986-2018年森林覆盖时空动态及驱动过程分析

罗曼秋1,2,3(), 童晓伟1,2,*(), 岳跃民1,2, 常静怡1,2,3, 祁向坤1,2, 王克林1,2   

  1. 1 中国科学院亚热带农业生态研究所湖南 长沙 410125
    2 中国科学院环江喀斯特生态系统观测研究站/广西喀斯特生态过程与服务重点实验室广西 环江 547100
    3 中国科学院大学北京 100049
  • 通讯作者: * 童晓伟,E-mail: tongxiaowei@isa.ac.cn
  • 作者简介:罗曼秋(2001年生),女,硕士研究生,主要从事生态遥感方面的研究。E-mail: luomanqiu23@mails.ucas.ac.cn
  • 基金资助:
    国家重点研发计划青年科学家专项(2023YFF1305700);国家自然科学基金项目(42371129);湖南省科技创新项目(2024RC1067)

Abstract:

Forest ecosystems are a critical foundation for ecological security and carbon cycling in southwest China. A comprehensive understanding of the spatiotemporal dynamics and driving mechanisms of forest cover is essential for promoting regional forest sustainability. Based on Landsat data from 1986 to 2018, combined with land-use transition matrices and spatial hotspot analysis, this study systematically investigates the spatiotemporal patterns and drivers of forest cover across three provinces in southwest China. The results indicate that, 1) between 1986 and 2018, the region experienced a cumulative forest cover loss of 17673.81 km2, following an inverted U-shaped trend with a peak during 1996‒2004 (approximately 7900.13 km2). Forest loss was dominated by small and fragmented patches, with 95.9% smaller than 0.01 km2, and shifted toward lower elevations and gentler slopes. 2) During 1996-2004, Yunnan Province experienced the largest forest loss (3685 km2), followed by Guangxi (3297 km2) and Guizhou Province (918 km2). Forest loss exhibited significant spatial clustering, with hotspots shifting from Yunnan to Guangxi. 3) Approximately 99% of old-growth forest loss occurred outside protected areas, where the loss rate was significantly higher than within protected areas. The implementation of the Natural Forest Protection Program markedly reduced old-growth forest loss in the region. 4) Land-use change analysis revealed that about 80% of forest loss areas underwent subsequent regeneration, while the remainder was primarily converted to shrubland and built-up land. Forest loss areas in Guizhou and Guangxi showed higher conversion rates to built-up land, reflecting urbanization-driven impacts, whereas Yunnan was characterized by conversion to shrubland. These findings provide a scientific basis for forest monitoring, old-growth forest conservation, and ecological restoration in southwest China.

Key words: southwest region, forest loss, land use changes, hotspot analysis, remote sensing

摘要:

森林生态系统是西南地区生态安全和碳循环的重要基础,深入理解其覆盖的时空动态及驱动机制对区域森林可持续发展具有重要意义。基于1986-2018年Landsat数据,从森林覆盖变化的整体视角出发,将森林损失视为覆盖变化过程中最敏感、最直接的扰动信号,结合土地利用转换矩阵和空间热点分析,系统揭示西南三省森林覆盖的时空演变特征及其驱动因素。结果显示,1)1986-2018年间,研究区累计森林损失面积达1.77×104 km2,呈“先升后降”的倒U型动态,森林损失主要集中在1996-2004年(约7.90×103 km2)。森林损失以小尺度零散斑块为主,斑块面积小于0.01 km2的数量占95.9%,且损失区域海拔和坡度整体呈向低海拔及缓坡转移趋势。2)1996-2004年间,云南损失面积最大(3.68×103 km2),其次为广西(3.30×103 km2)和贵州(918 km2);森林损失具有显著的空间集聚性,热点区由云南逐渐向广西转移。3)约90.4%的老林损失发生在非保护区,保护区内老林损失率显著低于非保护区,“天然林保护工程”实施后研究区老林损失显著减少。4)土地利用变化分析显示约80%的森林损失区域在后续时期实现再生,剩余主要转为矮小植被和建筑用地,贵州和广西森林损失区向建筑用地转化比例较高,体现城镇化驱动效应,云南则以向矮小植被转化为主。研究结果可为西南地区森林资源监测、老林保护政策制定及生态恢复提供科学依据。

关键词: 西南地区, 森林损失, 土地利用转换, 热点分析, 遥感监测

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