GIS-Based Evaluation of Ecological Security of the Loess Plateau in Northern Shaanxi Province

Ecological security research assesses the level of damage and threats to the ecological environment.The most important factors influencing ecological security at a regional level are land use and land cover changes,with land cover changes for the maintenance of ecosystem services often playing a decisive role.Estimation of the value of ecosystem services is one focus of current research,including the methods and principles for quantifying ecological security.This study uses RS and GIS tools to estimate the ecological security of the loess plateau region in northern Shaanxi province.Due to environmental protection measures such as the treatment of soil erosion problems in recent decades,the ecological situation in this region has improved,but the index level of ecological insecurity is still relatively high and suggests the necessity of additional ecological rehabilitation.In terms of spatial distribution,ecological conditions in the north and south were relatively good,but lower in the central region.Huanglong town had the best index for ecological security,and Yanchuan town was the worst area,experiencing serious environmental deterioration and disruption of local livelihoods.Overall,ecological conditions were best in the southern mountains and worst in the central loess hills.