Assessing ecological health of mangrove ecosystems along South China Coast by the pressure-state-response (PSR) model.

ABSTRACT

The pressure-state-response (PSR) model was applied to establish a mangrove ecosystem health evaluation system combined with analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in this paper. The mangrove wetlands are divided into five ecological levels excellent health, good health, health, sub-health and morbidity, which is based on the comprehensive health index (CHI) value. Twelve representative sites were selected for sampling to assess the ecological health condition of mangroves. As a result, the ecological health level of Gaoqiao mangrove area is excellent health; the ecological health level of Taiping mangrove area is good health; the ecological health level of Huguang and Qi'ao mangrove area is health; the ecological health level of Techeng and He'an mangrove area is sub-health; the ecological health level of Huidong mangrove area is morbidity. These results will give some advises for ecological protection and biological resource sustainable development of mangrove ecosystem in China.