Identification and optimization strategy of ecological security pattern in Maiji District of Gansu, China

Abstract

One of the crucial areas of research in land space planning in China is finding ways to coordinate urban development and ecological preservation since the rapid growth of cities has led to numerous environmental issues. It is highly important to enhance the regional ecological environment and economy, thereby improving human well-being, by optimizing the spatial arrangement of ecosystems and identifying areas that need ecological restoration within the national land space. This study was conducted in Maiji District, where a combination of MSPA (Multiple Scale Pattern Analysis) and service function methods were employed to evaluate the ecological resources, identify critical ecological corridors, optimize the ecological security pattern, determine priority areas for ecological restoration in the land space, and formulate strategies for ecological restoration. The results indicated that in Maiji District, the ecological source area covers 93277 ha, which represents 26.78 % of the total administrative region. Within the southeastern part of Maiji District, there are 28 significant ecological corridors, with a combined length of 333.80 km. Based on the existing ecological resistance surfaces, ecological sources, and ecological corridors, a plan for ecological restoration has been developed for Maiji District, known as the “one belt, one screen, two areas, five corridors, and multiple points” ecological restoration pattern. This plan serves as a guideline for identifying suitable areas for ecological restoration, security pattern, and creating restoration plans for the Maiji District land.