## 5 Discussion  
This study conducted an in-depth exploration of the relationship between habitat quality and geological hazard susceptibility. The research found that there is a close relationship between habitat quality and geological hazard susceptibility. In regions with similar geological environments, they show a negative correlation, which is consistent with previous studies on the relationship between the ecological environment and geological hazards [37; 38; 39; 40]. Furthermore, the LISA cluster map revealed that Pingshan County, a region with high vegetation coverage and a good ecological environment, exhibits relatively high geological hazard susceptibility. The possible reason is that the western part of Pingshan County has significant terrain relief, providing good drainage conditions that favor plant growth, resulting in relatively high habitat quality. However, the significant terrain relief affects the spatial distribution of hazard points (Figure 8), leading to a dense distribution of hazard points in this area, while they are relatively dispersed in other regions. The important regulatory role of the geological environment in the relationship between habitat quality and geological hazard susceptibility causes the impact of the ecological environment on geological hazard susceptibility to be lesser in areas with a higher habitat quality. This study further demonstrates the coupled relationship between the geological environment, the ecological environment, and geological hazards [39]. The geological environment significantly influences the formation and distribution of geological hazards. Relying solely on the assessment of habitat quality is insufficient for fully understanding the characteristics and distribution patterns of geological hazards. Figure 8: Topographic relief and geological hazard point distribution map. When evaluating susceptibility to geological hazards, it is essential to comprehensively consider the ecological and geological environment of the study area. By assessing the extent to which the ecological environment affects the incubation and occurrence of geological hazards, we can determine the weight of the ecological environment in the evaluation indicators of geological hazard susceptibility. This study helps us to enhance our understanding of the relationship between the ecological environment and geological hazard susceptibility, providing a scientific basis for and new perspectives on the evaluation of geological hazard susceptibility, thereby improving the accuracy and precision of such assessments. It holds significant guidance for planning and disaster prevention and mitigation, as well as ecological environment protection and restoration in mountainous regions. Effective geological disaster management necessitates the integration of various factors, including geological and natural environments, along with human activities. It is essential to implement scientific monitoring, early warning systems, and preventive measures to safeguard human lives, property, and ecological stability. Factors such as long-term climate variability, geological processes, and human interventions can significantly influence habitat quality and susceptibility to geological disasters. However, short-term studies might not adequately capture these dynamic interactions. This study, focusing solely on data from 2020, may not completely represent the long-term trends and seasonal variations in habitat quality and geological disaster susceptibility. The use of a 30 m \(\times\) 30 m grid for the analysis offers a detailed spatial resolution but may lack precision in detecting subtle surface and ecological changes, potentially leading to inaccurate assessment outcomes. For future evaluations of habitat quality and geological disaster susceptibility, particularly in smaller regions like counties, it is advisable to base the research on multi-year data and employ remote sensing data with a higher spatial resolution to more accurately capture dynamic changes.