Ecological Suitability Evaluation for Eco-tourism in Qipanshan Area

Suitability evaluation for eco-tourism is the basis of eco-tourism planning and development. Based on the multi-factors evaluation approach and landscape visual sensitivity analysis, the ecological suitability for eco-tourism in Qipanshan was evaluated using GIS technology. We chose seven factors, including topography, land use, distance to nearest reservoir, distance to nearest roads, landscape visual sensitivity to reservoir, landscape visual sensitivity to rivers and landscape visual sensitivity to attractions. Result of ecological suitability evaluation was classified into five grades: the most suitable area, suitable area, relatively unsuitable area, unsuitable area, and the most unsuitable area. Result indicated that the most suitable and suitable area accounted for 41.7% of the total area, which suggested that the eco-tourism resource in study area is relatively abundant. The study area is suitable for eco-tourism development. 27.0% of the total area was relatively unsuitable area and can be developed as eco-tourism zone. Environment protection should be paid attention while the eco-tourism construction was carried out. The introduction of landscape visual sensitivity to the suitability evaluation enriched the planning theory.