National and Regional-Level Human-Environment (Ecosystems) Interactions: Some Empirical Evidence from China

The state of human-environment (ecosystems) interactions—ecosystems (land cover classes), population, biodiversity hotspots and protected status—is examined in the eastern coastal zones, the eastern region, the middle region, the western region and the whole of China. The analysis is based on consistent, comprehensive, geo-referenced and recent datasets and advanced analytical Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. A comparative national and regional priority ranking of the provinces was conducted using the total score of eight indicators, for the four dimensions of human-environment (ecosystems) interaction. Using, these ranks, all the provinces were grouped in low, high and medium priority provinces. The comparative ranking and categorization of provinces will be useful for designing policies and management operations for spatially-differential scientific planning and management of environment (ecosystems) at the regional and national levels in China.