A procedure for comparing the ecological status and transformation measures in an anthropized coastal area

The overall vitality and quality of the coastline can be improved through ecological transformation; ecological status assessment can scientifically guide this modification by putting forward a transformation plan for the coastline. This study took the Shenzhen Bay area between Hong Kong and Shenzhen as the study area to build an index system and combined it with quantitative and qualitative methods by designing the code of data processing, calculation, and analysis through the MATLAB platform, with the goal being to put forward the directions and suggestions for coastline transformation based on the analysis of results. The results and conclusions are as follows: (1) The key aspects of the ecological transformation of the Shenzhen Bay Coastline are water quality, coastal wetland restoration, landscape diversity, beach stability, and infrastructure improvement. (2) Actions to promote these aspects include overall shoreline control of water pollution, cultural landscape implantations, the improvement of existing infrastructure, and the restoration of selected beach sand regions, mangrove wetlands, and eroded shorelines. Suggestion includes the critical support which comes from the public needs for information acquisition and science education, in addition with the policy and management, all should be formulated into the transformation plan. The index system can be applied to other regions at home and abroad, and the results and conclusions based on the index system could also provide criteria for planning the ecological transformation process.