Objective This study explores the ecological risks and restoration of the Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi which are important for the ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin. Methods Based on ecosystem services, an ecological risk assessment model was used to derive the ecological risk assessment results. Additionally, based on vegetation coverage, the Slope+Mann-Kendall trend analysis model was employed to obtain the vegetation degradation trend assessment results. By integrating these results using the comprehensive index method, the study identified priority areas for ecological restoration in the Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi. Results (1) From 2000 to 2020, the ecological services of water yield, soil conservation, habitat quality, and carbon sequestration in the Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi all exhibited an increasing trend. Growth rates per unit area were 563.98% for water yield, 54.22% for soil conservation, 2% for habitat quality, and 113.05% for carbon sequestration. (2) Areas with higher ecological risk were located in the northwestern part of the plateau, particularly in the aeolian sand areas near the Great Wall. (3) The vegetation coverage in the Loess Plateau of Northern Shaanxi showed a gradual increase, with 95.87% of the area exhibiting vegetation improvement. Vegetation degradation was mainly found in the aeolian sand areas along the Great Wall in the northwestern plateau and the loess hill and gully areas in the southern part. (4) Ecological restoration priority areas were identified in Dingbian County, Yuyang District, Hengshan District and Jingbian County, where ecological restoration measures such as windbreaks and sand-fixing forest belts, returning farmland to forests and grasslands, and comprehensive management of saline-alkali land should be implemented. Conclusion The aeolian sand areas along the Great Wall in Northern Shaanxi are identified as key areas for ecological restoration in the Northern Shaanxi Loess Plateau. Strengthening regional ecological protection and adopting scientific ecological restoration measures should be implemented to ensure ecological protection and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.
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