Purpose To investigate the spatial differentiation of land use changes and ecological environment quality in the Lancang-Mekong transboundary river basin.
Methods Using land use dynamic degree and geoinformation mapping theory, land use changes in the Lancang-Mekong transboundary river basin during two distinct periods (2000-2010 and 2010-2020) were analyzed based on the Global Land 30 dataset and high-resolution 30 m surface cover data. An ecological environment quality evaluation system was developed, and exploratory spatial data analysis was employed to investigate its spatial differentiation.
Results The differences in the rate of land use changes of the Lancang-Mekong transboundary basin were obvious. In the spatial analysis, long-term stable land types had the broadest distribution, while changes appeared as scattered patches. During 2000-2020, land use transitions in the study area showed marked diversity and imbalance. Forest accounted for over 46% of total area changes, serving as the primary type of land conversion. During 2000-2010, the spatial distribution of land use types followed a weak north-south, strong central scattered pattern; during 2010-2020, the spatial distribution of land use types followed a strong north-south and weak central patchy concentration, with different types exhibiting similar fluctuation trends. The ecological environment quality showed a general south-to-north gradient, with weak spatial positive correlation. However, the spatial convergence of ecological development levels was low in significance.
Conclusion Land use in the Lancang-Mekong transboundary basin displays stability in change patterns, national differentiation in spatial characteristics, and noticeable disparities in ecological quality. The conversion of cropland and grassland to forest enhances ecological conditions, while forest conversion to cropland and urbanization contribute to environmental degradation.
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