Environmental sensitivity analysis of Huailai County,Hebei Province of the agriculture-pasture ecotone of northern China

Based on Arc/info and Arcview technological support,utilizing remote sensing data,the soil potential erosion intensity and slope of Huailai County,Hebei Province,were calculated,and the two indices were used in the environmental sensitivity analysis.For environmental sensitivity analysis,six indices were selected:the number of villages,soil potential erosion intensity,slope,annual precipitation,forest coverage and grass coverage.According to the numerical value of environmental sensitivity S_r in each township of Huailai County,environmental sensitivity of fifteen towns belonging to Huailai County was divided into five grades and the classification length was eleven.These five grades stand for five different areas.Grade Ⅰ:areas that are not sensitive,including the townships of Donghuayuan,Ruiyunguan,Xiaonanxinpu,Sunzhuangzi and Dahuangzhuang.Grade Ⅱ:areas that are slightly sensitive,including the townships of Sangyuan,Cunrui,Wangjialou and Beixinpu.Grade Ⅲ:areas that are moderately highly sensitive,including the townships of Shacheng,Jimingyi and Xibali.Grade Ⅳ:areas that are highly sensitive,including the townships of Guanting,Xinbaoan,Dongbali and Langshan.Grade V:area that is very highly sensitive,including the only township of Tumu.Environmental sensitivity analysis of Huailai County can play an important guiding role for the ecological planning,industrial structure adjustment and sustainable development of resources and the economy of Huailai County.