A study of the ecological patterns of farming-pastoral zones in semi-arid regions: Using the west liaohe river plain of China as an example

Abstract

The farming-pastoral zones in semi-arid regions of China are known to be typically ecologically vulnerable areas. It is required to research the agricultural and pastoral area ecological pattern that can guarantee ecological safety, and put forward the reasonable ratio for plough and grassland. This study selected the West Liaohe River Plain as the research area, and utilized a remote sensing interpretation and field visit method to analyze the land use situation during different periods of time. Also, the distribution scope of the natural grassland was identified, and the ecological security patterns of the agriculture and animal husbandry in the West Liaohe River Plain were adjusted based on the basic principle of natural grassland expansion. Then, the distribution of groundwater flow field in the research area was simulated, and the rationality of the ecological security pattern supported by the groundwater conditions was analyzed. The grassland areas after the adjustments measured 28,760.7 km2, and accounted for 43.87% of the total area of the West Liaohe River Plain. The grassland area will be recovered to the level of 1990 following the adjustment of this ecological pattern.