[Analysis of Spatiotemporal Dynamic Evolution Characteristics and Driving Forces of Land Use/Cover Change in the...

Land use changes are the product of the dynamic interplay between human activities and natural ecosystems. The study of land use change characteristics and their driving factors in the Weihe River Basin can provide a direction for regional development coordination and formulation of basin development policies. Drawing on land use data from 1985 to 2020 in the Weihe River Basin and employing a blend of mathematical and spatial analysis methodologies, this study meticulously scrutinized the structural and spatial pattern shifts in land utilization within the basin. Key findings shed light on several critical aspects: ① The predominant land types in the Weihe River Basin consisted of arable land, forest land, and grassland, with average proportions of 41.24%, 22.1%, and 34.6%, respectively. Arable land exhibited a prominent presence both upstream and downstream of the Weihe River, while forested areas were primarily concentrated in the Beiluo River region, and grasslands thrived along the Jinghe River. ② Noteworthy transformations in land use occurred between 1995 and 2010 within the Weihe River Basin, marked by a substantial 2.5-fold surge in comprehensive land use dynamics. Particularly noteworthy was the conversion trend between grassland and arable land, as evidenced by the land use transfer matrix. ③ Between 1985 to 2020, the Weihe River Basin witnessed a significant shift characterized by an increase in urban land and forests, while farmland decreased. Urban land expanded by 2 911 km², mainly in the urban agglomeration of Guanzhong in the lower reaches of the Weihe River; forests increased by 6 430 km², mainly in the watershed of Jinghe River and Beiluo River and in the lower reaches of the Weihe River along the tributaries of the Qingling Mountain and the Qianhe River; farmland decreased by 7 157 km², with the reduced area being more dispersed, affecting the whole watershed. ④ Climate change, socio-economic, and governmental policies emerged as pivotal influencers of land use changes within the Weihe River Basin. Statistical analysis revealed that social-economic factors were the main factors affecting land use changes in the Weihe River Basin.