Ecological suitability analysis is an important method of applying ecological principles to guide rational spatial distribution and regional development for the planning of certain areas. This method has been widely applied in urban and regional ecological planning. However, due to the lack of systematic assessment methodologies, it has not been significantly promoted for spatial siting, ecological planning, or eco-environmental impact assessments of ecologically sensitive areas, such as nature reserve areas and tourism areas. This study proposes the use of an ecological suitability analysis method and a GIS-based mapping approach to develop an eco-tourism project in an ecologically sensitive montane area. We use the Wudangzhao Scenic Area in Inner Mongolia, China, as a case study for analyzing various ecological factors including topography, slope, aspect, soil organic environment, vegetation cover, river hydrology, geology and lithology. These factors reflect the four typical ecologically sensitive elements of erosion prevention, geological disasters prevention, biodiversity protection, and flood control. We first completed the ecological sensitivity assessment and spatial suitability mapping using both single and integrated eco-sensitive factors. We then superimposed the distribution of relevant tourism projects in the research area in relation to the eco-sensitive assessment results in the form of an eco-map. Finally, we suggest specific ecological risk prevention and protective measures for tourism development and spatial planning in the research area. In addition, this method provided a comprehensive overview of all ecologically sensitive characteristics for mountain based tourism projects currently being developed, spatially displaying them through ecological mapping. Therefore, this method contributes to a more effective decision-making process and helps decision makers develop more appropriate regulatory measures to prevent ecological risk. In conclusion, this method provides a scientific and effective technical tool to assess the ecological environmental impact of a project or planned projects in this type of eco-sensitive region.%生态适宜性分析尽管在城市和区域生态规划中得到了广泛应用，然而在自然保护区、风景名胜区等涉及重要生态敏感区诸如旅游开发的空间布局和选址，以及规划和项目生态环境影响评价问题上，由于缺少系统的评价技术方法体系，却没有得到较好的推广。因此，提出了一种适用于山岳型生态敏感区旅游开发空间适宜性评价及生态制图的方法体系，并以内蒙古五当召风景旅游区为例，通过对地形地势、坡度坡向、土壤环境、植被覆盖、水文水系、地质岩性等因子及其反映出的水土流失、地质灾害、生物多样性和防洪排涝4种典型生态敏感要素的分析，开展了该方法的案例研究。最后，在以上单因子和综合因子的生态敏感性分析及空间适宜性制图基础上，通过与案例研究区各项旅游开发活动的空间布局进行叠合，针对性地提出了项目规划布局的调整建议和具体的生态保护措施。此外，该方法由于系统综合的考虑了影响山岳型生态敏感区开发建设活动中的各种生态敏感因子，并通过生态制图的方式在空间上得以显示，将有助于涉及生态敏感区项目的决策和管理部门更加有效地开展生态风险的防治并制定相应的监管措施，同时也为涉及该类型区域的生态环境影响评价提供科学有效的技术方法。
展开▼
