Landscape Dynamics in a Poverty-Stricken Mountainous City: Land-Use Change, Urban Growth Patterns, and Forest Fragmentation

For poverty-stricken mountainous cities in China, both poverty alleviation and ecological restoration projects are sources of land-use change urban development. However, the patterns changes understudied light sustainable forest management. The study aims to explore characteristics a city with focus on forests. This research proposed three-step approach multi-aspect dynamics land change, including differences among categories, spatial expansion, fragmentation. investigated Enshi City, based data from 2000, 2010, 2020. Throughout two intervals, gain water bodies loss grassland were active. Artificial surfaces increased most intensively 2010 2020, transitions cultivated land. Edge-expansion was dominant type artificial surface growth. Furthermore, forests had largest size across there substantial reduction fragmentation western part city. findings confirm that recent planning measures effective restoring natural environment. identified key areas can support management