Spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of habitat quality in typical tourism cities based on value evaluation: a case study of Huangshan

The evaluation and analysis of habitat quality and its spatio-temporal distribution characteristics in a specific region are of great significance in the construction of regionally ecological security pattern and sustainable development. Taking Huangshan, Anhui Province, a typical tourist city, as example, this paper analyzed the dynamic change of its habitat quality form 2007 to 2017 based on the comprehensive model and methods of ecosystem service value, habitat quality index consisting of Net Primary Productivity(NPP) and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index(NDVI), InVEST habitat quality assessment model and spatial analysis methods. The results showed that:(1) from 1987 to 2007, the total value of habitat quality in Huangshan City continued to decline, while the total value of habitat quality rose in 2017, but the threat to habitats continued to increase. The high-quality habitat areas were the Taiping Lake in the north, but the low quality of habitats was mainly distributed in the urban areas of the counties. And the change of habitat quality grid grade was mainly from 4 grade to 3 grade in1987-2017.(2) The habitat quality of 84 out of 105 villages and towns(streets) in Huangshan City declined from 1987 to 2017, mainly in the eastern region. The areas of "High-High" habitat quality type clusters and hot spot areas were mainly located in the villages and towns around Taiping lake in the north of Huangshan, while the areas of "Low-Low" habitat quality type clusters and cold spot areas were located in and the towns of Tunxi district, Huizhou district, Shexian county, and Xiuning county. The secondary hot spot township did not appear in 2007 in the southwest mountain areas.(3) The urban development of Huangshan City had a great impact on the quality of habitat. Generally, the closer to the center of the city, the worse the habitat quality. The three circles of 10-20, 30-40, and 40-50 km away from the tourism center of Huangshan City formed the low value points of habitat quality, which was the result of the mutual development of tourism and urban areas. What is more, there was a strong correlation between tourism and habitat quality spatial distribution in Huangshan City. The higher the nuclear density of tourism facilities and scenic spots, the higher the proportion of low-grade habitat quality.