# An Analysis of Spatial Variation in Human Impact on Forest Ecological Functions
## 4 Discussion
### Comparative Analysis of Core Human Activities Affecting FEF
In addition to the three physical geographic regions mentioned above, we identify core human factors affecting FEF in all other regions, and each will be discussed next. As one of the national key ecological function areas with restricted development, the area of red lines for ecological protection in Region III is close to 50% [52]. Although counties attempt to better balance economic and ecological benefits, the chronically negative impacts of overloaded grazing and indiscriminate mining on the ecological environment caused by rapid population growth have not diminished [53]. A series of key ecological projects such as \"Natural forest protection\", \"Sand control in northwest Sichuan\", \"Subsidy incentives for grassland ecological protection\", and \"Ecological compensation for wetlands\" have not yet fulfilled their positive roles in improving FEF, indicating that protection is more important than treatment in this region. It is wise to severely restrict or prohibit deforestation, reclamation of wetlands and grasslands, and over-grazing for a considerable period of time. The obvious location and resource superiority make Region IV an important center of agricultural and husbandry production in the upper reaches. It occupies 60% of the arable land and is inhabited by more than two thirds of the population in Qinghai province. The growth of agriculture has always exerted pressure on ecological water use and inhabited the FEF in the long term. Six national parks and three national nature reserves have been designated in Hehuang Valley, playing a powerful role in maintaining the local ecosystem. Moreover, we should still be alert to the ecological threats posed by economic development. The vegetation cover and habitat quality of Lanzhou and Xining have deteriorated and radiated to the periphery [54], and greater challenges on FEF may come with the construction of urban clusters centering these two cities. Although the vegetation cover increases through the extension of the cultivated area and afforestation in the irrigation district and desert [55], water-intensive agriculture may also be detrimental to FEF by intensifying conflict for water and land with existing forest and grass, as demonstrated in Region V. The abundant and various mineral deposits provide a foundation for mining industries, but the increase in industrial and mining land has led to the loss of natural ecosystems [56]. Recent urbanization has increasingly been dedicated to greening and livability with the labor force and population agglomeration [9; 57]. Expanding artificial vegetation through construction emerged as an effective way to improve forest ecological functions in the region. Expanding artificial vegetation through construction emerges as an effective approach to ecological function restoration. The vegetation types in Region VI transition from warm-temperate deciduous broadleaved forests, forest-steppe, typical grassland to desert-steppe from south to north [35]. The south plain is the most populated and industrially concentrated area, and its rapid development requires more construction lands converted from arable land or other natural land, which directly leads to vegetation degradation [58]. The Chinese government has realized early that the Loess Plateau is critical in biodiversity protection and soil conservation. Consequently, since 2000, this region has become the most remarkable ecological restoration area and benefited the most from a series of ecological projects in China. The saline-alkali Yellow River alluvial plains have experienced increased vegetation coverage through saline-alkaline land improvement and seed industry innovation [59]. Industrial mining development, coupled with population growth and urban agglomeration, positively impacted economic growth and forest ecological functions [60]. In this process, a vast expanse of natural lands have been occupied or transformed into artificial ones, resulting in continuous degradation of ecological functions [61].