Ecological Vulnerability Analysis in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia

The Republic of Tatarstan is facing continuous ecological degradation due to the high exploitation and misuse of natural resources. This research work develops an analytical framework based on remote sensing, geographical information system (GIS), analytical hierarchy process (AHP) under driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework for spatiotemporal ecological vulnerability analysis at grid level from 2010 to 2020. Total of 23 indicators were used with the AHP weight method under the DPSIR framework to derive ecological vulnerability index (EVI) and further EVI divided into five parts. Results indicate that the EVI increasing continuously and moderate types of vulnerability dominated all time. The higher human-socio-economic activities are the main cause of higher EVI and this type of research work is useful for real-time accurate ecological mapping, monitoring at any scale and region for sustainable development.