ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Ecological Degradation Assessment of World
Natural Heritage: A Case Study of Bogda Site
in Tianshan
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1
Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Xinjiang’s Historical and Cultural Tourism, Xinjiang University,
No. 666 Shengli Road, Urumqi, China
2
College of Tourism, Xinjiang University, No. 666 Shengli Road, Urumqi 830046, China
3
College of International Business and Economics, Xinjiang University of Finance & Economics,
No. 449 Beijin Road , Urumqi, China
Submission date: 2022-11-18
Final revision date: 2023-01-04
Acceptance date: 2023-01-18
Online publication date: 2023-03-07
Publication date: 2023-04-14
Corresponding author
Kaijun Cao
Key Laboratory for Sustainable Development of Xinjiang’s Historical and Cultural Tourism, Xinjiang University, China
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2023;32(3):2211-2220
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ABSTRACT
World Natural Heritage Site (WNHS) is a typical demonstration of global diversity protection.
To realize the sustainable development of WNHSs under the contradiction of protection and utilization,
an index system based on the framework of exposure- sensitivity- resilience was constructed to
diagnose the ecological degradation of WNHSs, and the degree and structure of ecological degradation
were evaluated and visualized in Bogda, Tianshan Mountains, Xinjiang. The results show that:
(1) The criterion layers of threat factors, resilience and changes of heritage value showed different
spatial distribution characteristics. (2) The level of ecological degradation in Bogda site was mainly mild
degradation, while the degradation was serious around the scenic spots with intensive tourist activities
and along the road. The seriously degraded area was the least, accounting for 1.89% of the study area,
followed by ecological health area (6.22%), moderately degraded area (13.87%), and mildly degraded
area (78.03%). (3) The overall conservation management status in Bogda site remained good. Low -low
-low is the main type of ecological degradation, followed by high -high -high, high -high -low, low -high
-high and low -high -high. The diagnosis and analysis of ecological degradation would provide scientific
basis for the conservation, management and ecological restoration of Bogda site.