Ecological Risk Evaluation and Ecological Restoration Model of Mining in the Source Area of the Yellow River Basin

Finding out about the ecosystem damaged by mining development and carrying out ecological risk diagnoses are important prerequisites for formulating mine ecological restoration strategies. This study established an integrated approach to quantitatively analyze mining ecological risks by combining water conservation and biodiversity conservation ecosystem service functions with natural ecological conditions, and based on these, proposes appropriate mine ecological restoration strategies. Results show that: (1) A total of 14,874.80 hm2 of ecosystems were damaged in the Qinghai section of the Yellow River Basin, caused by mining excavation, crushing and hollow collapse, and of which 52.10% were located in national important ecological function areas and National Nature Reserves, which caused a decrease of the important ecosystem service functions of water conservation and biodiversity conservation in the area, and aggravated the ecological risks of the river source area; (2) The areas of high ecological risk and comparatively high ecological risk in the research area are 1,093,800 hm2 and 902,100 hm2, which accounted for 7.27% and 6.00% of the land area, respectively. Ecological risk hotspot areas are mainly distributed in the Qilian Mountains, Hehuang Valley, Sanjiangyuan and other key water systems and water sources; (3) According to the principle of “one mine, one policy”, we propose five mine ecological restoration models: ecological reconstruction, artificial assistance and protection and conservation, artificial assistance, protection and conservation and natural restoration. This study provides a reliable basis for exploring the status of mining ecological risk at the source of the Yellow River and scientifically carrying out ecological restoration and risk management.