20-Year physical habitat quality evaluation and its impact on biodiversity of Poyang Lake, China

As the largest freshwater lake in China, Poyang Lake has important ecological value and socioeconomic significance. With the acceleration of population growth and urbanization, human activity in the areas around the lakes is becoming increasingly frequent, causing direct and far-reaching impacts on the lake ecosystem. The physical habitat of Poyang Lake has undergone significant changes, which not only affect its own ecosystem, but also have a profound impact on the biodiversity of the surrounding and wider region. In view of the lack of in-depth research on the impact of physical habitats on biodiversity in China, this study investigates the changes in physical habitats in the Poyang Lake Basin and their impact on biodiversity. Using remote-sensing images to extract and analyze the data of physical indicators, it was found that the intensity of human activity in Poyang Lake has strengthened over the past 20 years, the area of Poyang Lake has been reduced, and the shoreline of Poyang Lake has shrunk and fragmented, affecting the habitat and biodiversity of aquatic organisms. The objective of this study is to analyze the changes in the typical physical habitats of Poyang Lake and their ecological impacts. A stress-response relationship between physical habitat indicators and aquatic organisms has been established. The spatiotemporal variation patterns of physical habitat indicators in the typical basins of the Yangtze River and the Yellow River have been revealed. This study also offers a scientific foundation for the ecological protection and restoration of Poyang Lake, thereby facilitating the sustainable development of the lake's ecological environment. • Poyang Lake physical habitat quality evaluation and change trends from 2000 to 2020 using remote-sensing data. • The effects of changes in physical habitat indicators on biodiversity in Poyang Lake were analyzed. • Land use has a more significant effect on biodiversity.