Using RS/GIS for spatiotemporal ecological vulnerability analysis based on DPSIR framework in the Republic of Tatarstan, Russia

The republic of Tatarstan is one of the most growing state in Russia in terms of industrialization and modernization with various natural disasters and intense human activities which brought dramatic changes in the ecological process and then led to serious ecological vulnerability. Therefore this research work proposed an analytical framework based on remote sensing (RS), geographical information system (GIS), and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) for spatiotemporal ecological vulnerability analysis at pixel level from 2010 to 2020 and developed a driver-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework based on 23 indicators by the AHP weight method to compute ecological vulnerability index (EVI). Further, EVI was classified into five levels based on natural breaks in ArcGIS software as potential, slight, light, moderate, and heavy levels. All 23 indicators were generated from different remote sensing and socio-economic data, processed through digital image processing techniques in terms of removing errors, projection, standardization, and results were saved in GIS format. Results indicate that from 2010 to 2020, EVI was continuously increased from 0.419 to 0.429, and its changes associated with regional vulnerability events and their impact in the region. The moderate level EVI was covering the highest area in all three years with very few changes and continuously increasing. Results also indicate that higher human-socio-economic activities and pressure on natural resources increased ecological vulnerability. This research work is useful to identify main causes and responsible indicators for ecological vulnerability as well as suitable for real-time EVI mapping, monitoring at any scale and region.

Automated summary

This study utilized remote sensing and geographical information system technologies to analyze the spatiotemporal variations of ecological vulnerability in the Republic of Tatarstan from 2010 to 2020. By evaluating 23 indicators, the ecological vulnerability index was computed and classified into five levels, with moderate vulnerability covering the largest area throughout the three years. The results indicate a continuous increase in ecological vulnerability over the study period, with higher levels of human-socio-economic activities contributing to this trend.