Comprehensive Ecological Health Assessment of the Qinghe River Basin: Towards Sustainable Management and Environmental Protection

Abstract Ecosystem health assessment on a large river basin scale is a crucial area of focus in ecological health evaluation, representing a prominent research direction in environmental science and landscape ecology. The Qinghe River Basin, which faces multiple environmental challenges induced by human activities, has significant impacts on both the ecological environment and the sustainable development of society and economy. In order to fully understand the ecological health status of this basin, an ecological health assessment was conducted in there. With reference to the Guidelines for Basin Ecological Health Assessment (Trial), a systematic framework was developed to establish an assessment system that includes both aquatic and terrestrial systems within the basin to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. The WHI, which is a comprehensive assessment index, was utilized for this purpose.By adopting an integrated approach, the ecological health assessment of the Qinghe River Basin provides a comprehensive evaluation of the overall condition of the river basin. The results indicate an average evaluation grade of 58.66, reflecting the overall ecological health of the Qinghe River Basin. The assessment of the ecological system in the Qinghe River Basin is an important step in understanding the current situation and major issues faced by the basin. It also provides a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for promoting sustainable development, effective management, and comprehensive environmental protection in the area. This study not only contributes valuable insights to the scientific community but also supports policymakers and stakeholders in making informed decisions to protect ecological integrity and promote sustainable development.