{"paper_id":"2e57e296-143d-4ef8-9618-07cd898674dd","body_text":"Spatiotemporal Evolution of Land Use and Habitat Quality in the Three-River Source Region | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Spatiotemporal Evolution of Land Use and Habitat Quality in the Three-River Source Region YING He, Zhongqiu Zhao, Zhenran Mei, Hang Bai This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-6772014/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Published Journal Publication published 24 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted 10 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Investigating spatial-temporal variations in land use/cover change (LUCC) and habitat quality (HQ) is essential for evaluating ecosystem integrity and advancing sustainable development objectives. The Three-River Source Region (TRSR) has distinctive LUCC characteristics that reveal intricate relationships between land utilization patterns and environmental deterioration. Through an integrated PLUS-InVEST modeling framework, this research assesses historical LUCC and HQ transformations in the TRSR spanning three decades (1990–2020) while forecasting ecological patterns through mid-century projections (2050). Analysis indicates that grasslands dominate the TRSR landscape and constitute the core of its ecosystem. Over the past three decades, grassland, water body, and cropland areas increased by 14,593.43 km², 1,888.67 km², and 319.81 km², respectively, while the proportion of unused land declined from 22.24% to 17.79%. Projections forecast continued expansion of grassland and water body extents, accompanied by further reduction in unused land. Observed spatial shifts and reciprocal transformations among land-cover types underscore dynamic landscape processes. HQ exhibited an overall decline, with 0.67% of the region experiencing deterioration, which exceeded areas of improvement. In the absence of intervention, HQ degradation is projected to intensify, potentially doubling in spatial extent. Notably, HQ fluctuations occurred even in areas without LUCC, although more pronounced changes were detected where significant land-use conversions took place. These findings underscore the complex linkages between LUCC and HQ. Future strategies for the TRSR should prioritize limiting unused land expansion, conserving grasslands, and deepening understanding of regional ecological dynamics. Further elucidation of mechanisms relating land use to HQ will be critical for advancing research and guiding ecological restoration efforts. Keywords：Three-River Source Region；Future land use patterns；Habitat Quality；PLUS-InVEST Modeling；Response relation Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology/Ecosystem ecology Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology/Ecosystem services Three-River Source Region Future land use patterns Habitat Quality PLUS-InVEST Modeling Response relation Full Text Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Published Journal Publication published 24 Oct, 2025 Read the published version in Scientific Reports → Version 1 posted Editorial decision: Revision requested 11 Aug, 2025 Reviews received at journal 08 Aug, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 30 Jul, 2025 Reviews received at journal 18 Jul, 2025 Reviewers agreed at journal 12 Jul, 2025 Reviewers invited by journal 09 Jul, 2025 Editor assigned by journal 09 Jul, 2025 Editor invited by journal 23 Jun, 2025 Submission checks completed at journal 20 Jun, 2025 First submitted to journal 28 May, 2025 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {\"props\":{\"pageProps\":{\"initialData\":{\"identity\":\"rs-6772014\",\"acceptedTermsAndConditions\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"archivedVersions\":[],\"articleType\":\"Article\",\"associatedPublications\":[],\"authors\":[{\"id\":483425045,\"identity\":\"f28d26d5-a650-4887-87e6-3121f843cae2\",\"order_by\":0,\"name\":\"YING He\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"YING\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"He\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":483425046,\"identity\":\"d7ecc6e2-745d-4d9f-bacb-c676d9d28638\",\"order_by\":1,\"name\":\"Zhongqiu Zhao\",\"email\":\"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAAz0lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYHACNiC2AWIeKJtILWmkazlMghb59vRnD35UnJc3OL/2AMOHssMM/LMb8Gth7HmQbthz5rbhhhvvEhhnnDvMIHHnAH4tzBIJxyR4224nGNw4Y8DM23aYwUAigYBHJBLbJP+2nYNo+UuMFh6JZDZp3rYDCQbnewyYGYnRIsHzjE1a5kyy4cwbfAkHe86l80jcIKAFFGKSbyrs5PnOnz344EeZtRz/DAJaGBhgCoDuOcAAiR1itfAfIELxKBgFo2AUjEgAAKzOQtODeDE+AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"correspondingAuthor\":true,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Zhongqiu\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Zhao\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":483425047,\"identity\":\"04c12fca-eac4-4160-85eb-a89a8fa90fb0\",\"order_by\":2,\"name\":\"Zhenran Mei\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Zhenran\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Mei\",\"suffix\":\"\"},{\"id\":483425048,\"identity\":\"6d2b38fb-448c-4b7b-b7e8-cbbc8fe04b7b\",\"order_by\":3,\"name\":\"Hang Bai\",\"email\":\"\",\"orcid\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"correspondingAuthor\":false,\"prefix\":\"\",\"firstName\":\"Hang\",\"middleName\":\"\",\"lastName\":\"Bai\",\"suffix\":\"\"}],\"badges\":[],\"createdAt\":\"2025-05-29 02:38:17\",\"currentVersionCode\":1,\"declarations\":\"\",\"doi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6772014/v1\",\"doiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6772014/v1\",\"draftVersion\":[],\"editorialEvents\":[{\"content\":\"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-20991-x\",\"type\":\"published\",\"date\":\"2025-10-24T16:17:22+00:00\"}],\"editorialNote\":\"\",\"failedWorkflow\":false,\"files\":[{\"id\":94490724,\"identity\":\"a1c3f7ce-ed98-44d2-bd3a-5960279b9203\",\"added_by\":\"auto\",\"created_at\":\"2025-10-27 17:14:10\",\"extension\":\"pdf\",\"order_by\":1,\"title\":\"\",\"display\":\"\",\"copyAsset\":false,\"role\":\"manuscript-pdf\",\"size\":1669900,\"visible\":true,\"origin\":\"\",\"legend\":\"\",\"description\":\"\",\"filename\":\"Manuscript.pdf\",\"url\":\"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-6772014/v1_covered_6d4be06c-6810-45d3-b2cf-139e61351675.pdf\"}],\"financialInterests\":\"No competing interests reported.\",\"formattedTitle\":\"Spatiotemporal Evolution of Land Use and Habitat Quality in the Three-River Source Region\",\"fulltext\":[],\"fulltextSource\":\"\",\"fullText\":\"\",\"funders\":[],\"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow\":false,\"hasManuscriptDocX\":false,\"hasOptedInToPreprint\":true,\"hasPassedJournalQc\":\"\",\"hasAnyPriority\":false,\"hideJournal\":false,\"highlight\":\"\",\"institution\":\"\",\"isAcceptedByJournal\":true,\"isAuthorSuppliedPdf\":true,\"isDeskRejected\":\"\",\"isHiddenFromSearch\":false,\"isInQc\":false,\"isInWorkflow\":false,\"isPdf\":true,\"isPdfUpToDate\":true,\"isWithdrawnOrRetracted\":false,\"journal\":{\"display\":true,\"email\":\"info@researchsquare.com\",\"identity\":\"scientific-reports\",\"isNatureJournal\":false,\"hasQc\":true,\"allowDirectSubmit\":false,\"externalIdentity\":\"scirep\",\"sideBox\":\"Learn more about [Scientific Reports](http://www.nature.com/srep/)\",\"snPcode\":\"\",\"submissionUrl\":\"\",\"title\":\"Scientific Reports\",\"twitterHandle\":\"\",\"acdcEnabled\":true,\"dfaEnabled\":true,\"editorialSystem\":\"stoa\",\"reportingPortfolio\":\"Scientific Reports\",\"inReviewEnabled\":true,\"inReviewRevisionsEnabled\":true},\"keywords\":\"Three-River Source Region, Future land use patterns, Habitat Quality, PLUS-InVEST Modeling, Response relation\",\"lastPublishedDoi\":\"10.21203/rs.3.rs-6772014/v1\",\"lastPublishedDoiUrl\":\"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-6772014/v1\",\"license\":{\"name\":\"CC BY 4.0\",\"url\":\"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/\"},\"manuscriptAbstract\":\"Investigating spatial-temporal variations in land use/cover change (LUCC) and habitat quality (HQ) is essential for evaluating ecosystem integrity and advancing sustainable development objectives. 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