Bearing capacity evaluation and function zoning of geo-resources and environment in Tongjiang-Fuyuan area on the border between China and Russia

In order to promote geo-resources and environment protection and new type urbanization of Tongjiang-Fuyuan area on the border between China and Russia, a comprehensive approach was employed.This involved analytic hierarchy process, expert Consultation Method, and GIS technology to establish an evaluation index system for assessing the carrying capacity of geo-resources and environment.The evaluation system was based on the investigation of regional resource endowment, hydrogeological, engineering geological, environmental geological conditions and human activity patterns.Furthermore, the bearing background and status of geo-resources and environment were evaluated respectively.The comprehensive evaluation of bearing capacity was further realized by coupling the results of the background and status evaluations, and the geo-resources and environment function zoning was carried out according to the needs of regional social and economic development.The results showed that the level of overall geo-resources and environment carrying capacity in the study area was medium-strong, accounting for 98% of the whole area.The main factor restricting the carrying capacity was the groundwater environmental quality, and the risk and susceptibility of geological disasters such as bank collapse of boundary river were low.Based on the analysis of the evaluation results, the study area was divided into three types of geo-resources and environment functional areas: ecological type, livable type, and agricultural type.Some measures such as strengthening ecological protection and restoration, improving living environment and strengthening source control of non-point source pollution were put forward to provide scientific reference for promoting the development of characteristic tourism industry and agricultural economy in border areas.