Integrating landscape ecology and fuzzy indicators for sustainable marine and coastal landscape evaluation: a case study in Tongguling National Nature Reserve, Hainan

Context Tongguling National Nature Reserve in Hainan highlights the ecological significance of marine and coastal ecosystems. However, their sensitivities are often overlooked, emphasising the need for improved evaluation methods to ensure sustainable management. Aims This study aims to develop an advanced evaluation framework that accurately assesses landscape sensitivity in marine and coastal regions, thereby supporting targeted conservation and management strategies in fragile ecosystems. Methods The study employed fuzzy mathematics and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to introduce a fuzzy co-ordination evaluation method tailored for marine and coastal environments, utilising fuzzy comprehensive evaluation values and co-ordination degrees as key indicators. Key results When applied to the Tongguling National Nature Reserve in Hainan, the method effectively identified critical areas with heightened ecological sensitivity, including zones vital for maintaining water quality and protecting habitats. The fuzzy co-ordination evaluation indicated moderate to high sensitivity levels, highlighting areas where conservation efforts should be prioritised to mitigate negative effects. Conclusions The marine and coastal landscape evaluation model proposed in this study is robust, providing critical insights for immediate conservation and long-term ecosystem management. Implications The findings establish a basis for future conservation strategies and decision-making within marine reserves, potentially guiding similar evaluations in other coastal regions.