Research on the evolution and the driving forces of land use classification for production, living, and ecological space in China’s Qilian Mountains Nature Reserve from 2000 to 2020

With the rapid development of the economy, problems such as resource depletion, environmental degradation, and increasingly strained human-land relations have become increasingly prominent. The rational layout of the production, living, and ecological spaces is the basis for solving the contradiction between economic development and environmental protection. This paper analyzed the spatial distribution pattern and evolution characteristics of the Qilian Mountains Nature Reserve based on the theory of production, living, and ecological space. The results show that the production and living function indexes are rising. The most advantaged areas are in the northern part of the research area, where the terrain is flat and transportation is convenient. The ecological function index rises, falls, then rises again. The high-value area is located in the south of the study area, and its ecological function is intact. The study area is dominated by ecological space. During the study period, the area of production space increased by 858.5 km(2) and the living space area increased by 341.12 km(2). The intensification of human activities has separated the continuity of ecological space. The area of ecological space has decreased by 233.68 km(2). Among geographical factors, altitude has a significant impact on the evolution of living space. Population density is the main socioeconomic factor in changing the areas of production space and ecological space. This study is expected to provide a reference basis for land use planning and sustainable development of resources and environment in nature reserves.