Evaluation of typical natural landscapes in Xinjiang based on an EWM-CRITIC-TOPSIS model

In 2021, China launched the third comprehensive scientific expedition in Xinjiang to establish a natural protected area system centered around national parks and to achieve the goal of the declaration and protection of world natural heritage. Based on the natural landscape identification using the space-ground integrated technology, this study constructed an EWM-CRITIC-TOPSIS model, followed by the elevation of 460 typical natural landscapes of 15 categories in Xinjiang. The results indicate that compared to traditional multi-index evaluation methods, the EWM-CRITIC-TOPSIS model can reduce the limitations of a single weighting approach by comprehensively considering various evaluation indicators, proving highly applicable to landscape assessment. The assessment of landscapes by categories reveals that grade I, II, III, and IV geological and geomorphological landscapes account for 2.9%, 30.5%, 44.7%, and 21.9%, respectively; grade I, II, III, and IV terrestrial biological landscape represent 1.7%, 24.6%, 40.0%, and 33.7%, respectively, and grade I, II, III, and IV wetland landscapes account for 12.2%, 26.7%, 52.2%, and 8.9%, respectively. This study will provide an important foundation and reference for the protection, utilization, and management of natural landscape resources in Xinjiang.