ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Ecological Sensitivity Assessment of Central Plains
Cities Using RS/GIS Technology: A Case Study
of the Zheng-Bian-Luo Urban Agglomeration
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1
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macao, 999078, China
2
Department of Management, Henan Institute of Technology, Xinxiang, 453000, China
3
School of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
Submission date: 2024-04-17
Final revision date: 2024-05-18
Acceptance date: 2024-06-22
Online publication date: 2024-09-18
Corresponding author
Cora Un In Wong
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macau
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ABSTRACT
Focusing on the Zheng-Bian-Luo urban agglomeration in the Central Plains, this study selected
six key indicators: elevation, aspect, slope, land-use type, vegetation coverage, and water buffer zone.
The Delphi method, analytic hierarchy process, and weighted overlay were used to conduct
a comprehensive ecological sensitivity analysis. The findings indicate that the water buffer zone exerts
the most significant influence on the ecological sensitivity of the Zheng-Bian-Luo urban agglomeration,
while elevation has the least impact, with respective weights of 0.308 and 0.049. The areas of extremely
low and mildly sensitive ecological sensitivity in the Zheng-Bian-Luo urban agglomeration cover
approximately 5872.48km², representing 31.59% of the total. These areas, primarily human-occupied
and urbanized, are dispersed and concentrated in the eastern and southeastern coastal regions.
The moderately sensitive areas encompass approximately 10,763.64km², constituting 37.07% of the total
area. The area is mainly affected by factors such as terrain, vegetation coverage, aspect, and slope.
The overall layout is relatively scattered. Therefore, while moderately developing the area, we must also
pay attention to ecological protection and increase vegetation planting on the basis of shrubs. The areas
classified as extremely high and highly sensitive encompass approximately 9096.96km², constituting
31.33% of the total. Primarily situated in water bodies and buffer zones, these areas require a focus on
water and soil erosion issues. Overall, there is a consistent spatial distribution pattern showing a gradual
decrease from northwest to southeast. Evaluating and analyzing the spatial distribution and extent of
the ecological environment in the Zheng-Bian-Luo urban agglomeration provides valuable insights for
future environmental protection and urban planning efforts in the region.