Coupling coordination relationship between geology–geomorphology and ecology in Northeast China

Northeast China is an important ecological barrier and commodity grain base in China. The coupling coordination relationship between geology–geomorphology and ecology has become a critical background condition for ecosystem protection and sustainable development. Taking Northeast China as a case (accounting for about 13% of China’s land area), 9 divisions are divided according to the characteristics of regional ecology and geology–geomorphology, and 17 indicators are selected to build an evaluation index system. Methods of analytic hierarchy process, entropy weight and game theory are used to determine the index weights. Based on the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, the spatial coupling coordination characteristics of geology–geomorphology and ecology are studied. The variation characteristics of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) are evaluated by Sen+Mann–Kendall (Sen+MK) method. Our results are as follows. (1) The coupling between geology–geomorphology and ecology is strong, but the spatial differentiation of CCD is obvious. Nine divisions are evaluated as two high–level, three medium–level and three low–level coordination types and one mild imbalance type. (2) The plain divisions Ⅰ and Ⅳ where the typical black soil belt is located are high coordination types. Restricted by geology–geomorphological conditions or ecological conditions, mountain divisions Ⅲ and Ⅶ and plain division Ⅴ are moderate coordination types, mountain divisions Ⅱ and Ⅷ and plateau division Ⅸ are low coordination types, and mountain division Ⅵ is mild imbalance type. (3) The variation trend of NDVI shows a significant increase in divisions Ⅲ, Ⅴ, Ⅰ, Ⅱ and Ⅶ. it shows a significant decrease in part of divisions Ⅳ, Ⅵ, Ⅷ and Ⅸ, and ecological management and construction should be strengthened in these divisions. The research shows that the CCD model method is feasible for evaluating the relationship between geology–geomorphology and ecology and can provide eco–geological background information for Northeast China.