Landscape ecological risk assessment of Jilin province based on terrain gradient

Landscape ecological risk assessment provides a basis for determining the potential adverse impacts of external risk sources on regional ecosystems. This study selected evaluation indicators from the landscape ecology perspective to construct a risk assessment system. We assessed the risk of Jilin province from 2000 to 2020 based on a 1km moving window, explored the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of risk areas using the center of gravity shift model, and revealed the response relationship between landscape ecological risk and terrain gradient by combining the topographic position index and distribution index. The results showed that the risk of the province first increased and then decreased, with a predominantly the lowest risk distribution, accounting for over 32% of the province. The changes mainly occurred in the lowest risk regions, with the area decreasing and then increasing, and the center of gravity shifting southeastward and then northwestward. The distribution of risk across different terrain gradients showed significant differences. The lowest risk zones had a distribution advantage at medium, higher, and the highest gradients. The lower risk zones shifted towards higher gradients after 2010, while the medium, higher, and the highest risk zones exhibited the most significant distribution advantage at low gradients. This study aimed to provide scientific reference for maintaining the smooth development of regional ecosystems.