Abstract
Using Linkage Mapper corridor simulation software, which is based on minimum cost distance, we identify ecological corridors and build potential ecological networks in response to recent land cover changes in Xinjiang, China. Based on the analysis of land use/cover changes, the change of landscape pattern index is also calculated. The results show that: (1) During the year 2000–2015, cultivated land and built-up areas of Xinjiang showed an increasing trend. Due to urbanization, Xinjiang’s landscape connectivity is getting worse, and the landscape is becoming more and more fragmented and isolated. (2) We have constructed 296 ecological corridors, with a total length of 2.71 × 104 km and an average corridor length of 90.98 km. A total of 145 ecological source patches and 500 ecological nodes were connected by 296 ecological corridors. (3) The ecological corridor of Xinjiang presents the characteristics of “dense-north and sparse-south” in space. The areas with dense distribution of ecological corridors mainly include Urumqi, Changji, Turpan, Tacheng, Kizilsu Kirgiz, Karamay, and Yining, and the Taklimakan desert fringe. The sparse distribution is mainly in the whole Taklimakan desert.
Highlights
A series of human activities, such as land development around the world, constantly changes the original form of the earth’s surface, resulting in the loss or occupation of a large number of animal and plant habitats, the fragmentation of natural landscape, and the poor connectivity of patches, which increased the ecosystem degradation [1,2,3,4,5]
The in the region where the ecological source is usually an imEpcoorltoagnitccahl acnonrreildfoorrstahreemanigirmatpioonrtandt pdaifrftuosfiothneoefcboiloologgiciaclalnseptwecoierks, awnhdicahrehtahsevmerayinimchpaonrtnaenlts efcoorlodgisicpaelrsignngiftihceanecceo.logical flow of the landscape. They can guide the healthy and coordinated deveAlocpcomrednintgoftocittihees. cEhcaoraloctgeirciaslticosrroifdothres cnaantuerffaelcetinvveilryoninmteegnrtatien vXairnijoiaunsgl,anwdesccahpoeoeseconloagtuicrael rreesseoruvrecse,sgineotlhoegriceagliopna.rEkcso, lsocgeinciacl csoprortisd,oarns dcafnoreeffsetctpivareklys caosntnheectetchoeloingtiecarilosrooufrXceinsj.iaTnhge. lAarcgcoerdtihneg to statistics, there are 296 potential corridors connecting 145 ecological source patches with a total length of 2.7 × 104 km
The ecological corridor was built by Linkage Mapper corridor simulation software
Summary
A series of human activities, such as land development around the world, constantly changes the original form of the earth’s surface, resulting in the loss or occupation of a large number of animal and plant habitats, the fragmentation of natural landscape, and the poor connectivity of patches, which increased the ecosystem degradation [1,2,3,4,5]. Building and strengthening ecological corridors and ecological networks have become important tools [14,15,16] to enhance ecosystem service function. An ecological network consists of three landscape pattern elements: Ecological source, ecological corridor, and ecological node [17,18]. The ecological network connects the broken habitats through ecological corridors and ecological nodes to form a complete landscape network to ensure all ecological security
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
