Spatial-temporal evolution analysis of habitat quality in Xinjiang based on InVEST model

Based on land use data for three periods from 1995 to 2015, the InVEST model was applied to explore the changes in habitat quality and its spatial distribution characteristics in Xinjiang by integrating land use shifts, habitat quality change rates and spatial statistical analysis. The results showed that the largest increase in arable land area in Xinjiang from 2005 to 2015 was 20,404 km
²
, mainly from grassland and unused land. Habitat quality in the study area was at a poor level, with an overall spatial distribution pattern of high habitat quality in three mountains (Kunlun Mountains, Tianshan Mountains and Altay Mountains) and low habitat quality in two basins (Junggar Basin and Tarim Basin), and an increasing trend of average habitat quality. Habitat quality in the study area has a strong autocorrelation and obvious aggregation in spatial distribution. The hot spots of habitat quality in Xinjiang were mainly concentrated in the Altai Mountains, Tianshan Mountains, Tacheng region and southwestern Kunlun Mountains; the cold spots were mainly distributed in Junggar Basin, Tarim Basin and Turpan. In general, the spatial variation of habitat quality in Xinjiang during the study period was not significant, and the main reason for the decline in the declining areas was that policy, demographic, socioeconomic, and technological factors became drivers of land use change in Xinjiang changing the land use/cover type in Xinjiang and making habitat suitability decline, while the main reason for the rise in the rising areas was the implementation of ecological projects. Therefore, it is recommended to further increase the ecological protection and ecological restoration measures in the study area.