Terrestrial Ecosystem Integrity and Change Trends in the Yellow River Basin

Terrestrial ecosystems integrity (TEI), which reflects the capacity of ecosystems to maintain structural and functional stability under external disturbances, is a critical concept for guiding ecosystem conservation, restoration, and service valuation. However, a unified evaluation framework for terrestrial ecosystems integrity remains lacking. Existing studies on ecosystem integrity within the Yellow River Basin have predominantly focused on specific regions, with limited basin-wide assessments and insufficient integration of ecosystem structure, function, and processes. To bridge these gaps, this study developed an a comprehensive TEI evaluation system and evaluated the spatiotemporal patterns of TEI for the Yellow River Basin from 2000 to 2020, utilizing remote sensing imagery and statistical yearbooks as primary data sources. The index system incorporates seven key indicators including Splitting Index, Landscape Shape Index, GDP Per Capita and four others, utilizing remote sensing imagery and statistical yearbooks as primary data sources. Results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in TEI, with a “high in the south, low in the north” pattern. Between 2000 and 2020, the overall TEI of the basin exhibited a polarization trend, with the most severe decline observed in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. This study provides a novel framework for assessing TEI and provides a scientific foundation for informed ecosystem management strategies within the region in the Yellow River Basin.