Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Forest Landscape in China’s Giant Panda National Park: A Case Study of Jiudingshan Nature Reserve

Abstract

The continuous prohibition of commercial logging and intensifying conservation endeavors have encompassed the implementation of the Natural Forest Conservation Program (NFCP) and the Grain-to-Green Program (GTGP) by the Chinese government since 1999. Nevertheless, the efficacy of the commercial logging ban and its effectiveness in halting deforestation remain uncertain. Likewise, the destructive aftermath of the 7.9 magnitude Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 continues to be under scrutiny, necessitating ongoing study and analysis. Thus, there exists a pressing need to comprehensively monitor the spatio-temporal evolution of the forest habitat and assess the ecological status over the past two decades. The Jiudingshan Nature Reserve (JNR) is situated in the upper reaches of the Tuojiang River basin in Sichuan province, China, constituting an integral part of the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP). In this study, we classified land cover types and conducted a meticulous monitoring of forest habitat alterations within JNR, by a multilayer perceptron model (MLP) with a highly learning-sensitive algorithm. To quantify these changes, the Simple Ratio Index (SRI) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) were computed from Landsat TM/OLI images of four years (i.e., 1997, 2007, 2008, and 2018). Additionally, elevation, slope, aspect, and other topographic data were acquired from the Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The findings of our study unveil a notable expansion in both the scope and proportion of mixed conifer and broadleaf forest from 1997 to 2004. The growth of coniferous forest and the augmented areas of mixed conifer and broadleaf forest signify a substantial improvement in panda habitat. However, the seismic event of 2008 exhibited a pronounced adverse impact on vegetation, particularly within forested regions. Although there is evidence of forest recovery spanning 21 years, concerns regarding fragmentation linger. It is pivotal to acknowledge the potential long-term adverse implications arising from widespread socio-economic development and a multitude of geohazards. Hence, sustained long-term monitoring coupled with effective management strategies remain pivotal for the preservation and rehabilitation of the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP) and giant panda habitat in the future.