Integrating the MCR and DOI models to construct an ecological security network for the urban agglomeration around Poyang Lake, China

Abstract

The development of urban agglomeration in aquatic areas is premised on ecological security. The construction of ecological security network is an effective measure to reduce ecological resistance and guarantee economic development. In this study, a comprehensive ecological security network (ESN) evaluation approach is developed by integrating the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model and Duranton and Overman Index (DOI). Taking the urban agglomeration around Poyang Lake in 2015 as a case, the MCR model showed the ecological landscape pattern of discrete connection and large overall ecological resistance. The DOI model indicated that the industries of moderately polluted were global localization, while heavily polluted were small-scale localization and large-scale dispersion. Accordingly, the ESN consisting of 35 ecological sources, 34 ecological corridors, 57 artificial corridors, and 39 eco-economic strategic nodes can avoid the threat of industrial layout to the ecological landscape. The results of this study complemented the guidance of industrial agglomeration theory on the basis of “source-sink” theory. The dual evaluation approach of landscape ecology and economic agglomeration proposed in this study explores interdisciplinary data fusion of different scales, and also provides a reference for inter-municipal coordinated ecological management and restraining urban excessive expansion.