Study on the temporal and spatial variations of ecosystem health in Poyang Lake region over the recent 17 years

Considering the characteristics of ecosystem and human activity in Poyang Lake region, an indices framework for ecosystem health was constructed based on the P-S-R conceptual model, and the evaluation indices were obtained from the remote sensing images and social statistic data. The evaluation model was established to investigate the temporal and spatial variations of ecosystem health in the Poyang Lake region. The results indicated that the ecosystem structure was becoming unstable, and its ecological function was degrading from 1989 to 2006. Although the level of ecosystem health was in a general class according to the Classification of ecosystem health levels, the index of ecosystem health decreased gradually during the 17 years owning to the long-term intervention of intensive human activities. Furthermore, the level of ecosystem health showed spatial differences with relative worse condition in the south part, due much to more significant industrialization and urbanization.