The construction of green infrastructure network in the perspectives of ecosystem services and ecological sensitivity: The case of Harbin, China

Abstract

With the continuous reduction and destruction of ecological land during rapid urbanization, eco-environment problems have become more severe. This study proposes an idea that identifies and constructs a green infrastructure (GI) network from the perspectives of ecosystem services and ecological sensitivity. The aim of this GI network is to improve and protect the ecosystem's stability and better guide the cities and villages towards green and sustainable development. This study uses quantitative evaluation methods and a least-cost path model to obtain the GI network's hubs and links. The results indicate that Harbin's hubs mainly consist of areas covered by woodland and water bodies, and links rely primarily on the urban river system and farmland. These are critical areas for ecological protection and the urban-rural sustainable development of Harbin. It can be concluded that identifying hubs by evaluation of ecosystem services and ecological sensitivity is feasible. This study suggests that the width of links should be at least 100 m to maintain biodiversity, and proposes some practical measures, such as space control, should be taken to protect the created GI network.