Evaluation of the effect of ecological restoration in mineral resource cities and analysis of driving factors

The rapid expansion of the mining industry, while propelling economic growth, has concurrently inflicted severe damage on local ecosystems. The challenge of harmonizing the exploitation of mineral resources with the preservation of ecological environments is critical, particularly in densely mined regions, where achieving sustainable development is an urgent issue that demands immediate resolution. In this study, the Remote Sensing Ecological Distance Index (RSEDI) was developed based on the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform, employing data from the Landsat series. Five indicators-greenness, humidity, dryness, heat, and black particulates-were selected and integrated using the distance function method. The city of Dexing was selected as the study area, with research conducted at both the municipal and township levels. The results illustrated that: (1) Between 2000 and 2020, Dexing City's ecological quality demonstrated a trend of initial decline followed by improvement. The region, as a whole, showed a pattern of enhanced greenness and moisture levels, along with reductions in dryness, temperature, and the spatial extent of atmospheric indices. (2) From a spatial perspective, the areas of ecological damage within the study region were predominantly located in the central and western mining zones. The shift in the focus of ecological improvement initially moved northeastward, then northwestward, and finally southwestward. In contrast, the migration pattern of the focus for ecological deterioration followed an opposite trajectory to that of ecological improvement. (3) Dynamic monitoring and analysis of RSEDI during different periods revealed that the ecological quality of Dexing City underwent an initial deterioration followed by an improvement. Overall, the ecological environment in Dexing City is progressively improving. (4) The results of the study provide valuable insights into the assessment of ecological restoration in mineral resource-based cities and contribute to the formulation of regional sustainable development strategies.