Ecological response to land use change: a case study from the Chaohu lake basin, China

Land use change (LUC) has been considered as a major cause of global environmental change. Characterizing LUC and its impact on the eco-environment can contribute to the sustainability of regional development. In order to accurately assess the ecological response to LUC, this study proposed a land use change and ecological response (LUCER) framework by means of remote sensing, incorporating the land use transition matrix, remote sensing ecological index (RSEI), and spatial regression methods. The LUCER framework was tested on the Chaohu lake basin. Results showed that the LUC intensity of the study area increased significantly, but RSEI decreased by a large margin, and the change trend showed a U shape. Moreover, LUC was the Granger cause of RSEI and their correlation remained negative. The LUCER framework performed well in measuring the LUC and RSEI changes. Our research suggests that the LUCER framework could effectively explain the dynamic process and functioning mechanisms of LUC and RSEI changes and quantitatively evaluate the LUC ecological response. From an ecological environment protection perspective, the results of this study can provide an insight into land use decision-making for policy makers.