Abstract:
This study aims to reveal the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics and ecological restoration potential of windbreak and sand fixation services driven by land cover changes in the Ebinur Lake basin, Xinjiang, China. By integrating data on multi-source remote sensing, meteorology, vegetation, and soils of the basin from 2000 to 2019, this study simulated the dynamic changes in windbreak and sand fixation services using the revised wind erosion equation (RWEQ) model. Based on the zonal climax ecological functional state, this study constructed an ecological restoration potential index to assess the degradation degree of ecological services and the spatial pattern of ecological restoration potential. The results indicate that from 2000 to 2019, the land cover of the Ebinur Lake basin exhibited an annular distribution pattern, with lakes, bare land, farmland, and grassland occurring from the inside out. Among these, grassland acted as the dominant ecological matrix, while farmland and construction land significantly expanded. The average annual amount of sand fixed in the basin was 1.76×10
8 t. The total amount of sand fixed increased by 0.67×10
8 t over the past two decades, showing an upward trend with fluctuations overall. Areas with high amounts of sand fixed were primarily identified in the central and eastern parts of the basin, gradually expanding over time. Changes in land cover significantly drove the formation of the spatial pattern of windbreak and sand fixation, affecting approximately 0.28×10
8 t of sand fixed. Grassland and bare land were identified as major contributors to windbreak and sand fixation. The ecological restoration potential showed an uneven spatial distribution, with low-potential areas predominating in the basin. High-potential areas were mainly concentrated in the nature reserves around the Ebinur Lake and the degraded grasslands in the basin's eastern part. The windbreak and sand fixation services in the basin were effectively enhanced by ecological engineering and land-use optimization measures. This study will provide theoretical support for wind erosion control, determination of ecological restoration priority areas, and optimization of ecological engineering layout in arid regions, thereby holding great significance for regional promotion and policy application.