International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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23 pages, 6130 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Spatio-Temporal Evolution, Prediction and Optimization of LUCC Based on CA-Markov and InVEST Models: A Case Study of Mentougou District, Beijing

by Yang Yi, Chen Zhang, Jinqi Zhu, Yugang Zhang, Hao Sun and Hongzhang Kang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(4), 2432; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042432 - 19 Feb 2022

Cited by 20 | Viewed by 3024

Abstract

With the rapid advancement of urbanization and industrialization, the contradiction between the social economy and resources and the environment has become increasingly prominent. On the basis of limited land resources, the way to promote multi-objective comprehensive development such as economic, social development and [...] Read more.

With the rapid advancement of urbanization and industrialization, the contradiction between the social economy and resources and the environment has become increasingly prominent. On the basis of limited land resources, the way to promote multi-objective comprehensive development such as economic, social development and ecological and environmental protection through structure and layout regulation, so as to maximize regional comprehensive benefits, is an important task of current land spatial planning. Our aim is to obtain land-use-change data in the study area using remote-sensing data inversion and multiple-model simulation. Based on land suitability evaluation, we predict and optimize the land use structure of the study area in 2030 and evaluate and compare ecosystem services. Based on remote-sensing images and eco-environmental data from 1985 to 2014 in the study area, land use/land cover change (LUCC) and future simulation data were obtained by using supervised classification, landscape metrics and the CA-Markov model. The ecosystem services were evaluated by the InVEST model. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was used to evaluate the land suitability for LUCC. Finally, the LUCC in 2030 under two different scenarios, Scenario_1 (prediction) and Scenario_2 (optimization), were evaluated, and the ecosystem service functions were compared. In the last 30 years, the landscape in the study area has gradually fragmented, and the built-up land has expanded rapidly, increased by one-third, mainly at the cost of cropland, orchards and wasteland. According to the suitability evaluation, giving priority to the land use types with higher environmental requirements will ensure the study area has a higher ecosystem service value. The rapid development of urbanization has a far-reaching impact on regional LUCC. Intensive land resources need reasonable and scientific land use planning, and land use planning should be based on the suitability evaluation of land resources, which can improve the regional ecosystem service function. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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21 pages, 36408 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis for the Interaction Relationship between Urbanization and Ecological Security: A Case Study in Wuhan City Circle of China

by Ji Chai, Zhanqi Wang and Chen Yu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(24), 13187; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182413187 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2432

Abstract

Exploring the interaction relationship between urbanization and ecological security is the key issue to achieve regional sustainable development. This study used coupling coordination model and vector auto-regression model to comprehensively investigate the interaction relationship between urbanization and ecological security in Wuhan City Circle [...] Read more.

Exploring the interaction relationship between urbanization and ecological security is the key issue to achieve regional sustainable development. This study used coupling coordination model and vector auto-regression model to comprehensively investigate the interaction relationship between urbanization and ecological security in Wuhan City Circle from 2005 to 2018. The results showed that urbanization quality in Wuhan City Circle increased from 0.1818 in 2005 to 0.4355 in 2018, with an average annual increase rate of 10.74%. The ecological security of Wuhan City Circle decreased from 0.4890 in 2005 to 0.4511 in 2015 and increased from 0.4511 in 2015 to 0.4554 in 2018. The degree of coupling coordination between urbanization and ecological security of Wuhan City Circle presented a circle structure with Wuhan as the center and increasing outward. Additionally, the impulse analysis showed that the increase of urbanization had a significant negative impact on ecological security of Wuhan city, Huangshi city, and Xiaogan city. Meanwhile, the ecological security index of Ezhou city, Tianmen city, Huanggang city, Xiantao city, Xianning city, and Qianjiang city were all positive in early stage after the ecological security was impacted by the increase of urbanization. The analysis of historical data and future trends can provide operable recommendations for urbanization development and ecological security protection through cleaner production and efficient use of natural resources from the aspect of coordinated development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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20 pages, 7537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Spatial-Temporal Change of Urban Green Space in Yangtze River Economic Belt and Its Driving Mechanism

by Chunyu Chen, Linglan Bi and Kuanfan Zhu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12498; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312498 - 27 Nov 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3421

Abstract

Urban green space plays an important role in beautifying the environment, improving the quality of life of residents, and promoting sustainable urban development. Rapid urbanization has led to great changes in the spatial structure and layout of urban green space. It is urgent [...] Read more.

Urban green space plays an important role in beautifying the environment, improving the quality of life of residents, and promoting sustainable urban development. Rapid urbanization has led to great changes in the spatial structure and layout of urban green space. It is urgent to put forward the sustainable development strategy of green space through the research on the change of urban green space. Based on the geographical spatial differences of urban green space and integrating the factors of economy, society, industry, land use, and the environment, we constructed a research framework of “space-supply-demand” integration of urban green space by GI and geodetector methods, and we conducted an empirical study on the spatial–temporal changes of urban green space and its driving mechanism in prefecture-level cities along the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China. First, the urban green space along the Yangtze River Economic Belt is concentrated in spatial distribution, while uneven development appears in urban greening among the zones. Second, the influence of different factors on urban green space change varies greatly and can be divided into three types: key factors, important factors, and auxiliary factors. The driving mechanism of the spatial distribution of urban green space supply and demand is quite different, but urban population and commercial service facilities land are their key influence factors, having a comprehensive influence on the spatial–temporal changes of urban green space. Third, the factors are classified into three categories of high, medium, and low levels according to the mean of interacting forces; in particular, the factors of per capita GDP, utility land, industrial smoke (dust) emissions, and other factors have a very strong interactive effect with other factors. Fourth, according to the spatial distribution characteristics of urban green space and its driving mechanism, this paper puts forward planning and policy suggestions, providing reference for other areas to deal with the green space change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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16 pages, 4385 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Construction of Ecological Security Patterns in Coastal Areas Based on Landscape Ecological Risk Assessment—A Case Study of Jiaodong Peninsula, China

by Yichen Yan, Hongrun Ju, Shengrui Zhang and Guokun Chen

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(22), 12249; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212249 - 22 Nov 2021

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 3514

Abstract

Increasing land utilization, population aggregation and strong land–sea interaction make coastal areas an ecologically fragile environment. The construction of an ecological security pattern is important for maintaining the function of the coastal ecosystem. This paper takes Jiaodong Peninsula in China, a hilly coastal [...] Read more.

Increasing land utilization, population aggregation and strong land–sea interaction make coastal areas an ecologically fragile environment. The construction of an ecological security pattern is important for maintaining the function of the coastal ecosystem. This paper takes Jiaodong Peninsula in China, a hilly coastal area, as an example for evaluating landscape ecological risk within a comprehensive framework of “nature–neighborhood–landscape”, based on spatial principal component analysis, and it constructs the ecological security pattern based on the minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR). The results showed that the overall level of ecological risk in the study area was medium. The connectivity between the areas of low landscape ecological risk was relatively low, and the high risk areas were concentrated in the north of the Peninsula. A total of 11 key ecological corridors of three types (water, green space and road corridors) and 105 potential corridors were constructed. According to the ecological network pattern, landscape ecological optimization suggestions were proposed: key corridors in the north and south of Jiaodong Peninsula should be connected; urban development should consider current ecological sources and corridors to prevent landscape fragmentation; and the ecological roles of potential corridors should be strengthened. This paper can provide a theoretical and practical basis for ecological planning and urban master planning in coastal areas in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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19 pages, 2773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Ecological Vulnerability under Climate Change and Anthropogenic Influence in the Yangtze River Estuarine Island-Chongming Island, China

by Wanting Peng, Duoduo Wang and Yongli Cai

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(21), 11642; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111642 - 5 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2743

Abstract

Understanding and assessing ecological vulnerability for estuarine islands are important for maintaining estuarine island ecosystem services and its sustainable development. However, due to its complex fresh water–sea–land interaction mechanism and multiple stressors from both climate change and anthropogenic influence, a comprehensive evaluation of [...] Read more.

Understanding and assessing ecological vulnerability for estuarine islands are important for maintaining estuarine island ecosystem services and its sustainable development. However, due to its complex fresh water–sea–land interaction mechanism and multiple stressors from both climate change and anthropogenic influence, a comprehensive evaluation of ecological vulnerability for estuarine islands has been limited. Therefore, taking the typical estuary island of Chongming Island as an example, we developed a comprehensive evaluation system of ecological vulnerability for an estuarine island ecosystem based on the pressure-state-response (PSR) conceptual model, and explored the spatial and temporal distribution of ecological vulnerability in 2005 and 2015. The results indicated that the main pressures of Chongming Island from saltwater intrusion intensity and land use intensity were mainly distributed in northern coastal areas and eastern areas of wetland; the ecological vulnerability index (EV) of Chongming Island showed a slight decrease from 2005 to 2015; and three categories of towns based on ecological vulnerability assessment for an eco-island planning and environmental management were identified. Our study provides an effective evaluation system of ecological vulnerability for estuarine islands, which could be helpful for planners and decision makers in improving eco-island planning and environmental management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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18 pages, 1214 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Influencing Factors of the Recreational Utilization and Evaluation of Urban Ecological Protection Green Belts for Urban Renewal: A Case Study in Shanghai

by Weiqi Zhao, Yun Wang, Dan Chen, Ling Wang and Xiaomin Tang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910244 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3577

Abstract

With the continuous expansion of urban construction land, the green belts aiming for ecological protection have ensured a sustainable and effective function of regional ecosystem services. At the same time, these ecological green belts are expected to develop their compound service potentials with [...] Read more.

With the continuous expansion of urban construction land, the green belts aiming for ecological protection have ensured a sustainable and effective function of regional ecosystem services. At the same time, these ecological green belts are expected to develop their compound service potentials with the development of cities. In order to meet the increasing demand of urban residents for the recreational utilization of urban green space, the primary function of the ecological green belts has transformed from being purely ecological to a combination of being ecological and recreational. Based on social media data, which has the characteristics of a large amount of accessible geographic information, this study used multiple regression models to analyze the recreational utilization intensity of ecological protection green belts with a case study in the green belt of Shanghai, China. The research results showed that the internal elements (total external area, water area, etc.) of the Shanghai green belt have positive correlations with its recreational utilization. The impact of external factors was inconclusive on the recreational utilization of the outer forest belt (the number of subway stations in accessibility factors was negatively correlated; the number of cultural facilities and the number of restaurants in the surrounding service facilities were positively related). Combined with the “Shanghai City Master Plan (2017–2035)”, this study suggests potential zones for the recreational transformation of the Shanghai green belt, provides a theoretical and practical basis for improving the recreational utilization of an urban ecological protection green belt and contributes to the sustainable development of ecological protection green belts in high-density cities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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18 pages, 2475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Community-Level Urban Green Space Equity Evaluation Based on Spatial Design Network Analysis (sDNA): A Case Study of Central Wuhan, China

by Qing Li, Kaili Peng and Peng Cheng

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(19), 10174; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph181910174 - 28 Sep 2021

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 4394

Abstract

Urban green spaces (UGSs) provide numerous irreplaceable environmental and social benefits to humankind, but the lack of baseline information makes it difficult to propose a reasonable greening strategy so as to achieve an equitable allocation of community green spaces. This paper divides UGSs [...] Read more.

Urban green spaces (UGSs) provide numerous irreplaceable environmental and social benefits to humankind, but the lack of baseline information makes it difficult to propose a reasonable greening strategy so as to achieve an equitable allocation of community green spaces. This paper divides UGSs into three classes using the spatial design network analysis (sDNA) and quantifies the UGS accessibility of communities in central Wuhan. Based on these results and the Gini coefficient, we analyze the UGS equity of the spatial distribution at the community level, then propose future greening strategies both at the city and community levels. The results show that the railway station and old Wuhan city are the core areas of traffic network strength (TNS). UGSs are evenly distributed in the core areas of TNS, but the number of UGSs in non-core areas is small, and their distribution is relatively uneven, and the number of communities with medium UGS accessibility is the largest, carrying the densest residential population. Most communities perform well in terms of UGS equity, but the UGS equity of 163 communities, covering a population of more than one million, remains to be improved. The method and conclusions of this study will contribute to the future greening policy making of 965 communities in central Wuhan, thus promoting the orderly planning and high-quality construction of community living circles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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27 pages, 18717 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Ecosystem Service Value (ESV) Spatial Transfer in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration in the Yellow River Basin, China

by Min Liu, Jianpeng Fan, Yating Wang and Chanjuan Hu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(18), 9751; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18189751 - 16 Sep 2021

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 3164

Abstract

Urban agglomeration is the key area to realizing regional sustainable development. Timely and accurate assessment of its ESV spatial transfer can provide a scientific basis for intercity environmental cooperation to solve transboundary environmental problems. The ESV and its spatial transfer characteristics in the [...] Read more.

Urban agglomeration is the key area to realizing regional sustainable development. Timely and accurate assessment of its ESV spatial transfer can provide a scientific basis for intercity environmental cooperation to solve transboundary environmental problems. The ESV and its spatial transfer characteristics in the Central Plains Urban Agglomeration in 2000 and 2018 were quantified by introducing the breaking point model. The findings were as follows: Firstly, taking the central city of Zhengzhou as the transferred-in area, ESV spatial transfer distributions and changes presented a trend of hinterland > metropolitan area. Secondly, the ESV spatial transfer intensity from the metropolitan area to the central city presented an increase trend, with an increase of RMB 498,400–1,053,000/km², and the ESV spatial transfer intensity from the hinterland to the central city presented a decrease trend, with a decrease of RMB 15,200–814,000/km² in contrast. Thirdly, a total of RMB 294.763–331.471 billion worth of ESV has been transferred, and only that worth RMB 0.534–1.716 billion reached the central city, accounting for 0.181–0.518% of the total ESV transferred and 2.760–17.482% of the central city’s ESV. Fourthly, the ESV spatial transfer radius of each city was 25.47–214.17 km, but the ESV spatial transfer range of a few cities could reach the central city. Lastly, there was inefficiency in the ESV spatial transfer only in the natural driving spatial transfer pattern due to the spatial heterogeneity of ESV distribution, and there was potential for strengthening the ecological interactions based on space guidance provided by ESV spatial transfer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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16 pages, 9627 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Green Space Planning to Improve Ecosystem Services Efficiency: The Case of Chongqing Urban Areas

by Shuiyu Yan and Jun Tang

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(16), 8441; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168441 - 10 Aug 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3006

Abstract

This paper applied landscape indexes to evaluate the size, form, and structure of green spaces in the mountainous city of Chongqing and found that green spaces benefit from certain advantages in size, but the network suffered from low heterogeneity and limited interconnectivity. To [...] Read more.

This paper applied landscape indexes to evaluate the size, form, and structure of green spaces in the mountainous city of Chongqing and found that green spaces benefit from certain advantages in size, but the network suffered from low heterogeneity and limited interconnectivity. To ensure the integrity and continuity of ecological processes and improve the efficiency of ecosystem services (ES), the authors used Geographic Information System (GIS) software to conduct adaptability evaluation and adjacent buffer analysis for the existing green spaces, wetlands, rivers, and other landscapes with relatively high capacity for ES. We designed a comprehensive map of potential areas for UGS expansion by superimposing the maps obtained from adaptability evaluation and buffer analysis. We also proposed some strategies that respect, consider, and evaluate aspects and special features of urban environment to optimize green space planning and improve ES efficiency, such as protection of important areas, development of green corridors, and careful consideration of ecological processes and complex functions in urban areas. Based on these strategies, the paper put forth suggestions for green space planning to improve ES efficiency that can function as foundation for subsequent green space planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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22 pages, 4877 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Ecosystem Services Supply-Demand (Mis)Matches for Differential City Management in the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration

by Wenbo Cai, Wei Jiang, Hongyu Du, Ruishan Chen and Yongli Cai

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 8130; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18158130 - 31 Jul 2021

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3169

Abstract

With the global increase in population and urban expansion, the simultaneous rise of social demand and degradation of ecosystems is omnipresent, especially in the urban agglomerations of China. In order to manage environmental problems and match ecosystem supply and social demand, these urban [...] Read more.

With the global increase in population and urban expansion, the simultaneous rise of social demand and degradation of ecosystems is omnipresent, especially in the urban agglomerations of China. In order to manage environmental problems and match ecosystem supply and social demand, these urban agglomerations promoted regional socio-ecological integration but ignored differential city management during the process of integration. Therefore, it is necessary to design a general framework linking ecosystem supply and social demand to differential city management. In addition, in previous studies, ecosystem services supply–demand amount (mis)match assessment was emphasized, but ecosystem services supply–demand type (mis)match assessment was ignored, which may lead to biased decisions. To deal with these problems, this study presented a general ecosystem services framework with six core steps for differential city management and developed a double-indices (amount and type) method to identify ecosystem services supply–demand (mis)matches in an urban agglomeration. This framework and the double-indices method were applied in the case study of the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration. Ecosystem supply–demand amount and type (mis)match levels and spatial pattern of twenty-six cities were identified. Twenty-six cities in the YRDUA were classified into five kinds of cities with different levels of ES supply–demand (mis)matches for RS, three kinds of cities for PS, and four kinds of cities for CS. Differential city management strategies were designed. Despite its limitations, this study can be a reference to giving insights into ES supply–demand (mis)match assessment and management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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24 pages, 13768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mechanisms Underlying the Effects of Landscape Features of Urban Community Parks on Health-Related Feelings of Users

by Lin Zhang, Suyan Liu and Song Liu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(15), 7888; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157888 - 26 Jul 2021

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4934

Abstract

Urban community parks are closely related to the health of residents, and have a positive effect on residents’ perception of nature, alleviating anxiety, and promoting physical health. Many previous studies have examined the impact of community parks on the health of the population, [...] Read more.

Urban community parks are closely related to the health of residents, and have a positive effect on residents’ perception of nature, alleviating anxiety, and promoting physical health. Many previous studies have examined the impact of community parks on the health of the population, but few studies have investigated the potential of specific landscape elements in community parks to restore physical health. We conducted psychological questionnaires with 440 users of community parks in Shanghai through on-site surveys. Based on the psychological questionnaire, a structural equation model of the relationship between the community park landscape environment and users’ feelings was established. The model indicated that the natural environment, activity environment, and rest environment in the community park had positive effects on the physical, mental, and social health of users. At the same time, we recruited 50 participants to conduct laboratory experiments examining physiological changes while participants viewed different types of scene photographs showing the same landscape element. By measuring physiological indicators, including skin conductivity and heart rate, we sought to identify the types of landscape elements that help relieve the stress of users. The results revealed that flower clusters and waterscapes in the natural environment landscape, plastic fitness trails and fitness equipment places in the sports area, landscape elements such as benches with backrests, Chinese style pavilions, and green corridors with plants in the rest space, played positive roles in alleviating feelings of pressure and promoting relaxation among community park users. Based on these findings, we propose specific design strategies to improve the landscape health of community parks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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26 pages, 2969 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Multi-System Urban Waste-Energy Self-Circulation: Design of Urban Self-Circulation System Based on Emergy Analysis

by Xiaoyu Xu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(14), 7538; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18147538 - 15 Jul 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2089

Abstract

The current worldwide state of energy scarcity and low waste utilization has led to a decrease in the supply of ecological services, something that seriously affects the development of cities. In this study, we propose an urban self-circulation design based on multiple systems [...] Read more.

The current worldwide state of energy scarcity and low waste utilization has led to a decrease in the supply of ecological services, something that seriously affects the development of cities. In this study, we propose an urban self-circulation design based on multiple systems within the traditional biogas, wetland, rainwater, solar power, and urban farm systems framework to achieve effective improvements in urban waste utilization and the optimization of the urban waste–energy flow cycle. Emergy conversion is used to evaluate system optimization, and the simulation results show that the novel proposed system can effectively improve urban waste utilization with an energy output rate of 3.18 × 10, an environmental load of 4.27 × 10⁻², and a sustainability index of 7.45 × 10² in the core system; additionally, it can improve resource utilization of small-scale cities with an energy output rate of 1.85 × 10⁰, an environmental load of 1.20 × 10⁰, and a sustainability index of 1.54 × 10⁰ in the total system. The inter-system energy flow model can significantly optimize urban energy systems based on ecological models with low-emergy resource input, including biogas systems and urban farm systems. This model can reduce the environmental load and effectively compensate for the reduced supply capacity of ecosystem services caused by urbanization, making it suitable for extension to other small-scale built environments that are relatively independent and rich in natural resources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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10 pages, 2357 KiB

Open AccessBrief Report

Influence of Beijing Winter Olympic Games Construction on Vegetation Coverage around Zhangjiakou Competition Zone

by Yuan Zhang, Zhongqi Xu and Jiabing Wu

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18(23), 12777; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182312777 - 3 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2812

Abstract

There is a rising concern that Olympic venue construction may affect the surrounding environment. The construction of Winter Olympic venues and competition zones is more likely to degrade the surrounding natural environment than the summer counterpart, considering the prominent land use change and [...] Read more.

There is a rising concern that Olympic venue construction may affect the surrounding environment. The construction of Winter Olympic venues and competition zones is more likely to degrade the surrounding natural environment than the summer counterpart, considering the prominent land use change and extensive vegetation disturbance during the construction of ski trails in mountainous areas. Scientific assessment of the impact of this Winter Olympic Games construction on the surrounding ecological environment can be of significance for the construction of a Green Olympics. At this stage, the main framework of venue and competition construction in Zhangjiakou for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games is essentially completed, so we assessed the vegetation coverage change conditions based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) from 2000 to 2020. Our results show that the construction of venues, roads, and other facilities for the 2022 Olympic Games led to a remarkable change in land use, but the impacts on vegetation coverage were negligible in the surrounding area. Due to the intensive reforestation activities since the year that Beijing won the race to host the Winter Olympics, vegetation coverage continued to increase in the Zhangjiakou area, even in the core area of Winter Olympic Games construction zones. This study provides support to the belief in hosting a Green Olympics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Research in Ecosystem Services of Urban Greenspace and Regional Ecosystem Management)

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