Ecological Conservation Redline (ECR) Delimitation—a CaseStudy of Heze in Shandong Province

With the overall trends of deterioration in resources and ecological environments not being completely reversed, the Chinese government has adopted the strategy of establishing the Ecological Conservation Redline (ECR). The ECR aims to define limits to the encroachment onto protected ecologically vulnerable and sensitive areas, to prohibit development in these areas, and to enforce strict protection to guarantee regional ecological security. Climate data, remote sensing data, and other related data were used to identify an ECR in Heze, thereby providing an example of principle and methodology for ECR delimitation. After assessment, comprehensive treatment, and coordination analysis, a total area of 924.17 km 2 , accounting for 7.55% of the city’s total area, was identified as an ECR in Heze. This mainly comprised the area around the Yellow River, the old course of the Yellow River, and the Dongyu River.