Remote sensing monitoring of ecosystem quality and land cover changes in Beijing

Urbanization leads to the encroachment on ecological land in urban fringe areas, resulting in a decline in ecosystem quality. This study combines the Ecosystem Quality Index (EQI) and land cover change data to analyze the spatial changes in ecosystem quality in Beijing from 2013 to 2022 and its response to changes in land cover types. The study revealed several key findings: 1) The EQI in Beijing increased from 74.72 to 77.89, with the most rapid growth rates observed in ecological conservation areas and central urban districts, at 4.75% and 4.8%, respectively; 2) The increase in forest area within Beijing's ecological conservation areas has offset the negative impact on ecosystem quality caused by the expansion of impervious surfaces; 3) To further enhance ecosystem quality in Beijing, it is essential to strengthen ecological and environmental management in the plains area following construction. The findings indicate that ecological protection measures in Beijing have effectively mitigated the adverse effects of urbanization, providing valuable insights for territorial spatial planning and ecological environmental protection in other cities.