Minimum Cumulative Resistance Research Articles

The Evolution of Forest Landscape Connectivity and Ecological Network Construction: A Case Study of Zhejiang’s Ecological Corridors

As main components of terrestrial ecosystems, forests play irreplaceable roles in maintaining ecological balance and protecting the basic environment for human survival and development. In this study, the dynamic changes in the forest landscape connectivity in Zhejiang province in 2000, 2010, and 2020 were detected by identifying ecological sources and evaluating connectivity indexes based on morphological spatial analysis (MSPA) and a minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model. The results are as follows: (1) The forest area of Zhejiang increased by 64.88% from 2000 to 2020, indicating that the overall habitat quality has improved and that ecological risks have decreased, which are attributed to Zhejiang’s adherence to comprehensive environmental management. (2) Regions with low connectivity are distributed mainly in the north, where human activities are intensive. The overall pattern of high connectivity in the middle of the region and low connectivity elsewhere demonstrates the uneven distribution of forest landscape connectivity across the province. (3) The extracted ecological corridors have a mesh-like structure that is dense in the middle and slack in the north. Important corridors have disappeared over time, indicating potential issues in maintaining connectivity for species migration. (4) These results can provide optimization strategies for ecological infrastructure planning in Zhejiang province and offer a theoretical reference for the optimization of the ecological network system.

Construction of Ecological Security Patterns and Evaluation of Ecological Network Stability under Multi-Scenario Simulation: A Case Study in Desert–Oasis Area of the Yellow River Basin, China

Land use change has a significant impact on the sustainability of ecosystems, and ecological security patterns (ESPs) can improve environmental quality through spatial planning. This study explored a multi-scenario ESP framework by integrating future land use simulation (FLUS) and minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) for urban agglomeration along the Yellow River Basin (YRB) in Ningxia. The research involved simulating land use change in 2035 under four development scenarios, identifying ecological security networks, and evaluating network stability for each scenario. The study revealed that the ecological sources under different development scenarios, including a natural development scenario (NDS), an economic development scenario (EDS), a food security scenario (FSS), and an ecological protection scenario (EPS), were 834.82 km2, 715.46 km2, 785.56 km2, and 1091.43 km2, respectively. The overall connectivity values (OG) for these scenarios were 0.351, 0.466, 0.334, and 0.520, respectively. It was found that under an EPS, the ESPs had the largest area of ecological sources and the most stable ecological network structure, which can effectively protect natural habitats. This study provides a valuable method for identifying ESPs that can respond to diversity and the uncertainty of future development. It can assist decision-makers in enhancing the ecological quality of the study area while considering various development scenarios.

Construction of ecological security pattern of arid area based on landscape ecological risk assessment: a case study of the Wu-Chang-Shi urban agglomeration.

The construction of ecological security pattern (ESP) holds paramount importance in ensuring regional environment sustainability. This study introduces an innovative approach to ESP construction grounded in landscape ecological risk (LER) assessment, with Wu-Chang-Shi urban agglomeration in Xinjiang, China, serving as a case study. Initially, LER within the area was evaluated using the LER Index (LERI) method. Subsequently, the Geodetector model was employed to discern the relationship between multi-source data and LER. Furthermore, ecological resistance and corridors were delineated utilizing the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model. Lastly, the corridors were optimized using the gravity model, finalizing the ESP construction. Study results reveal that LER was always fluctuating from 1990 to 2010, and tended to stabilize from 2010 to 2020. Factor detection underscores the predominant influence of land use on LER, followed by elevation and vegetation distribution. The ESP shows the imperative for improving connectivity of the natural areas that are fragmented by urban land, highlighting the great significance of the woodland-originating corridors. Finally, strategies are proposed to enhance woodland and water coverage, boost landscape diversity in nature reserves, and prioritize ecological conservation in corridor regions. In summation, the study furnishes a framework for analyzing arid regions in Eurasia. Furthermore, the research idea of evaluation-analysis-remodeling also offers insights into environmental management in developing areas with more diverse climate types.

Exploring the Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Simulating Heritage Corridors for Sustainable Development of Industrial Heritage in Foshan City, China

Industrial heritage serves as a testament to the historical and cultural legacy of industrialization, and its preservation and adaptive reuse are crucial for promoting sustainable urban development. This study explores the spatiotemporal dynamics of industrial heritage in Foshan City, China, and simulates potential heritage corridors to inform effective conservation and revitalization strategies. By employing Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Standard Deviational Ellipse (SDE) methods, the research investigates the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of industrial heritage across different historical periods and industrial types. An Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP) is used to construct a hierarchical model of resistance factors, which serves as the basis for simulating potential heritage corridors using the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model. The results unveil distinct spatiotemporal distribution patterns, with concentrations of industrial heritage in the central Chancheng District and southeastern Shunde District. Two primary potential heritage corridors are identified, and prioritized strategies for their adaptive reuse are proposed. The findings contribute to a comprehensive understanding of industrial heritage distribution in Foshan City and provide valuable insights for the conservation, planning, and sustainable development of these significant sites. The study highlights the importance of integrating spatiotemporal analysis and heritage corridor modeling in the decision-making process for industrial heritage revitalization, ensuring the preservation of invaluable industrial history and culture while fostering sustainable urban growth.

Constructing Ecological Networks for Mountainous Urban Areas Based on Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis and Minimum Cumulative Resistance Models: A Case Study of Yongtai County

In order to alleviate the increased habitat fragmentation caused by the accelerating urbanization and ecological deterioration, constructing ecological networks is an effective way to improve ecological connectivity, facilitate regional energy flow, and promote biodiversity enhancement. In this study, Yongtai County was taken as the research object, and the morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) method was used to analyze the landscape pattern, identify the ecological source sites, classify the ecological source sites according to the importance degree by possible connectivity index (PC) and the Delta values for probability index of connectivity (dPC), and then construct the potential ecological corridors with the help of the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model to generate the ecological network, and then put forward the optimization strategy according to the current situation. The results show that (1) the core area of Yongtai County is 1071.06 km2, the largest among all landscape types, with a fragmented distribution, high degree of fragmentation, and poor connectivity, mainly in the east and southwest, and sparser in the middle. (2) The area of highest resistance value is mainly located in the built-up areas of towns and rural settlements in the central and northwestern parts of the country; the lowest value is distributed in the southwest and southeast, and the land use mode is mainly expressed as woodland. (3) The ecological network consists of 13 ecological sources and 78 potential ecological corridors. The ecological sources are mainly located in the east and southwest, with high connectivity; the potential ecological corridors are distributed in the form of a network, with fewer in the center, resulting in the phenomenon of ecological disconnection. (4) Lack of ecological sources and corridors, serious landscape fragmentation, and optimization of ecological network by adding and protecting ecological sources, repairing ecological breakpoints and building stepping stones. This study is of guiding significance for urban green space system planning, biodiversity protection, and ecosystem function enhancement in Yongtai County, and also provides reference for ecological protection and optimization in other mountainous cities.

Construction and Optimization of Ecological Security Pattern Network Based on the Supply–Demand Ratio of Ecosystem Services: A Study from Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle, China

The exploration of ecological security patterns (ESPs) can help people find those areas that are in urgent need of restoration, which is an effective way to realize ecological protection. It is of utmost significance for promoting regional sustainable development to construct ESP and put forward sub-regional optimization suggestions based on the supply and demand ratio of ecosystem services (ESs). In this paper, we assessed the level of supply and demand for five ESs based on multi-source data in 2020 with the help of InVEST, ArcGIS, and IUEMS. Based on the results of supply and demand, we calculated the supply and demand ratio of ESs and extracted the ecological source areas (ESAs) on this basis. Then, we used the Linkage Mapper tool to construct the ESP based on the principle of the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and circuit theory in the Chengdu–Chongqing economic circle (CCEC). Our results indicated that there were apparent spatial differences in the supply and demand of five ESs. There were 35 ESAs in the ESP network, covering an area of about 7914 km2, and most of their land use types were woodland. The CCEC was interconnected by a network of 91 ecological corridors (ECs), spanning a total length of approximately 10,701 km. From the ECs, we extracted 29 ecological pinch points (EPPs) and 16 ecological barrier points (EBPs), which each accounted for about 0.3% of the planned area of the CCEC. Finally, we divided the ecological spaces into four types and put forward the corresponding optimization suggestions. Among them, the proportion of ecological restoration area was 7.7%, which was located in Chengdu City, northwest of the study area. The findings of this paper can give some theoretical guidance and serve as a reference for making decisions in the pursuit of ecological civilization in this region.

Establishment and optimization of urban ecological network based on ecological regulation services aiming at stability and connectivity

Establishing an urban ecological network is a means to improve the ecological environment and enhance sustainable urban development amidst rapid urbanization. Based on the demand of eco-city, morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA), ecological regulation services value (ERSV), and landscape connectivity have been combined to identify ecological resources with high connectivity and ecological benefits in this study. Using the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model, ecological corridors have been constructed and ecological critical nodes have been identified. In addition, the urban ecological network has then been optimized from the overall layout and local key nodes based on the circuit theory to balance the ecological livability and species diversity in the eco-city. The main conclusions could be demonstrated as follows: (1) 76.45% of the high ecological regulation service value areas have been identified as core areas. (2) The distribution of ecological corridors has been found uneven with significant disparities (3) The connectivity indices, especially the line point rate (β) index, have increased by 21.66%, while the robustness has increased by 75.44%. Overall, the combined methods have been used to establish and optimize the ecological network within the limited space to balance the ecological livability and biodiversity. The results of this study could provide a scientific reference for the optimization of urban ecological space and promote sustainable development in the eco-city.

Suitable habitat evaluation and ecological security pattern optimization for the ecological restoration of Giant Panda habitat based on nonstationary factors and MCR model

Enhancing the regional connectivity, coordination, and integrity of Giant Panda National Park can protect giant pandas. The construction and optimization of the ecological security pattern in giant panda habitat can effectively promote the information exchange among giant panda populations of Giant Panda National Park in Ya'an area. Based on climate change, geographic location, human activities, and other factors, the Maxent model was used to evaluate the non-stability of giant panda habitat suitability, and the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model was used to construct the ecological security pattern. Based on the gravity model and relevant image verification analysis, we proposed an optimal solution to the ecological problem of giant panda corridor groups. From our research, good habitat suitability of giant pandas was detected, with a high degree of local fragmentation. The areas of the most suitable habitat, the more suitable habitat, and the generally suitability were 1970.12 km2, 2346.51 km2, and 1902.37 km2, respectively. Suitable habitat was located between 2100 m and 3400 m in elevation, with a less than 30° slope. The average temperature of the coldest season in the suitable area was around - 2 ∼ 2 °C, the precipitation of the wettest month was between 140 ∼ 160 mm, and the mean diurnal range was between 9 ∼ 14 °C. Valuation results for nonstationary factors beyond these ranges will not fall within the Habitat Suitability Zone. In total, 13 ecological sources, 13 ecological corridors, 6 ecological barrier points, and 4 ecological pinch points were identified and divided into 4 ecological corridor groups to locate and repair ecological problems, achieving the purpose of building and optimizing ecological security patterns. The integrated technical frame work proposed in this work, which combined the suitability evaluation, ecological safety pattern construction and ecological restoration, considered the nonstationary variations in factors and the actual species ranges. It also emphasized the importance of the relationship between the species’ suitability and the ecological security pattern. The results of this work have important implications for examining the habitat modifications, gene exchange between giant panda populations, and habitat conservation of giant pandas.

Construction and optimization of Green Infrastructure Network in mountainous cities: a case study of Fuzhou, China

Green infrastructure networks enhance the protection and improvement of urban ecological environments, augment the efficiency and quality of ecosystem services, and furnish residents with healthier and more comfortable living conditions. Although previous research has investigated the construction or optimization methods of green infrastructure networks, these studies have been relatively isolated and lacking in case studies for mountainous cities. In the development of green infrastructure, mountainous cities must specifically consider the impact of terrain on network construction. Taking Fuzhou, a mountainous city in China, as an example, this study constructs and optimizes the green infrastructure network by employing morphological spatial pattern analysis, connectivity analysis, the Minimum Cumulative Resistance model, and circuit theory. These methodologies increase the connectivity of the Green Infrastructure within the study area, thereby promoting the health of the local ecosystem and creating conducive circumstances for the city’s sustainable development. The findings reveal that: (1) Green infrastructure in Fuzhou takes up 5366.38 ha, constituting 21.76% of the study area, primarily situated in the northwest and south; (2) Fuzhou’s Green Infrastructure network comprises 10 hubs and 17 corridors with a hub area of 1306.98 ha, predominantly distributed in the mountains encircling the city, including Meifeng Mountain, Gaogai Mountain, and Qingliang Mountain; (3) Based on optimization, the circuit centrality index categorizes hub importance into three protection levels, pinpointing nine crucial protected areas in the corridors and 680 areas requiring enhancement, including 68 areas for first-level improvement, 149 areas for second-level improvement, and 463 areas for third-level improvement. This research offers a methodological reference for constructing and optimizing green infrastructure networks in mountainous cities, providing both theoretical and practical foundations for optimizing green infrastructure networks in Fuzhou City.

How to restore ecological impacts from wind energy? An assessment of Zhongying Wind Farm through MSPA-MCR model and circuit theory

The wind energy industry is developing rapidly in China with a maximum capacity worldwide. Meanwhile, the stability of the ecological network is challenged by extensive renewable energy expansion. There are still research deficiencies in wind farm ecological impacts at project scale from an ecological restoration perspective. It is of great necessity to monitor the ecological impacts with time going and explore ecological restoration strategies for wind power development. The research case of Zhongying Wind Farm is selected based on investigation and interviews regarding its ecological impact in the prior study. It employs a comparative methodology by comparing the ecological quality before and after the construction of Zhongying Wind Farm. Raw data from Landsat 8, the Digital Elevation Model (DEM), the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and wind turbine statistics originating from open data platforms are analyzed and visually represented with ArcGIS. This paper establishes an ecological network based on morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model to quantify wind farms’ impacts on ecological corridors. The circuit theory and Pajek software are used to identify and categorize the ecological nodes into weak and obstacle points. The results reveal that ecological impacts on ecological corridors decay with distance, reflecting changes in length, connection strength and cumulative values of corridors. While the impacts on ecological nodes depend on nodes’ attributes: the number of weak points increased by 18.5 %, and obstacle points increased by 350 %, with their locations shifting from the edges of urban construction sites to the edges of wind farm. Differentiated strategies are proposed according to the impact magnitude of each ecological corridor and node: such as dynamic inspection mechanism, construction prohibition for protection; corridor structure and function recovering, stepping stones addition for restoration; buffer belts, warning radar, and monetary schemes for compensation. This research fills the gap of ecological impact assessment under the challenges of wind energy expansion. It helps to balance wind energy development and ecological restoration at the regional level.

Identification of Important Wetlands and Optimization of Landscape Patterns Based on Human Pressure Index: The Case of the Linghekou Wetland in China

The Linghekou wetland is a rich repository of ecological resources and serves as an important habitat for numerous rare and protected animals. However, due to a confluence of natural and anthropogenic factors, the ecological environment of the Linghekou wetland is facing a multitude of threats, including the reduction in wetland area, the degradation of wetland resources, and the instability of ecological structure. This paper employs an anthropogenic focus, utilizing the human pressure index (HPI), spatial autocorrelation, and cold and hot spot methods to identify crucial wetlands. These identified wetlands are then utilized as ecological source sites to optimize the landscape pattern of the Linghekou wetland, employing the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model. The final results indicated the identification of 6 ecological sources, 8 ecological corridors, and 42 ecological nodes. These were primarily concentrated in the southern region of the study area and were distributed in a reasonable manner. The method of identifying ecological sources when optimizing the landscape pattern with the MCR model was enriched by this approach. Additionally, the paper offers recommendations for the optimization of the landscape pattern of the Linghekou wetland and establishes a foundation for the protection and restoration of other similar wetlands.

Construction of ecological network in Qujing city based on MSPA and MCR models.

With the rapid advancement of urbanization and industrialization, ecological patches within cities and towns are fragmented and ecological corridors are cut off, regional ecological security is threatened and sustainable development is hindered. Building an ecological network that conforms to regional realities can connect fragmented patches, protect biodiversity and regional characteristics, and provide scientific reference for regional ecological protection and ecological network planning. By taking Qilin District, the main urban area of Qujing City as an example, and using geospatial data as the main data source, based on morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and minimum cumulative resistance (MCR), this study identified ecological source areas, extracted ecological corridors, and build & optimize ecological networks. (1) All landscape types are identified based on MSPA, the proportion of core area was the highest among all landscape types, which was 80.69%, combined with the connectivity evaluation, 14 important ecological source areas were selected. (2) 91 potential ecological corridors were extracted through MCR and gravity models, there were 16 important ones. (3) The network connectivity analysis method is used to calculate the α, β, and γ indexes of the ecological network before optimization, which were 2.36, 6.5, and 2.53, while after optimization, α, β and γ indices were 3.8, 9.5 and 3.5, respectively. The combined application of MSPA-MCR model and ecological network connectivity analysis evaluation is conducive to improving the structure and functionality of ecological network.

Construction of Cultivated Land Ecological Network Based on Supply and Demand of Ecosystem Services and MCR Model: A Case Study of Shandong Province, China

The research on the ecological protection of cultivated land has gradually become a focus and frontier of cultivated land protection. Constructing an ecological network of a cultivated land system is important to improve the effect of cultivated land ecological protection. In this study, the supply-demand ratio of five ecosystem services was calculated from 2000 to 2020 in Shandong Province, a major grain-producing area in China. The morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) model was used to construct the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model. The conclusions of the study are as follows: (1) the areas with a higher supply and demand ratio of various ecosystem services of cultivated land in Shandong Province are distributed in southern and southwestern areas. (2) The ecological source of cultivated land in Shandong Province has decreased by about 7000 km2 from 2000 to 2020, and the fragmentation trend is obvious. (3) The total length of the ecological corridors is 798.5 km2. The majority of these corridors are located in central and southern Shandong. The ideas and conclusions of this study are important for the formulation of ecological protection policies for regional cultivated land systems.

Assessing landscape fragmentation and ecological connectivity to support regional spatial planning: A case study of Jiangsu province, China

Urbanization in China has led to land-use changes resulting in landscape fragmentation, natural habitats loss and ecological connectivity decline. Aiming to support sustainable landscape planning, we proposed an integrated method for ecological structure assessment and optimization including morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA), minimal cumulative resistance (MCR) model and circuit theory to assess landscape fragmentation and ecological connectivity change at regional scale. A modified connectivity index is also proposed by employing the index of relative quality of ecological patches and corridors. We applied the combined methods to Jiangsu province in eastern China for multi-temporal landscape analysis and optimization. The results showed that the combined analysis revealed both fragmentation trend of ecological patches and ecological connectivity reduction with regard to all the species as a whole in the study area from 2000 to 2018. While, the trend has been slowed down to a certain extent lately, which is related to a series of ecological protection policies implemented in the study area, including ecological redlines policy, national park construction and returning marginal farmland into forest or grassland. Furthermore, suggestions for improving the ecological network in the study area were proposed. We proposed to improve the ecological network by fostering twenty-five potential ecological sources, maintaining twenty-five pinch points, restoring eleven dredging corridors and planning fifty-three stepping stones. Overall, we argue that the combined method can reveal both structural connectivity and functional connectivity, and the time series analysis can provide dynamics situation for better understanding and planning landscape process. It can also provide planners with a valuable strategic tool that advances the practical utility of landscape ecology techniques for spatial planning, and the combined application of the method helps to reduce some of the limitations of each individual method.

The Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Ecological Security Pattern in the Loess Plateau, China

As a typical ecologically fragile area, the ecological security of the Loess Plateau has been seriously threatened. Ecological security patterns (ESP) have gradually become an effective method for protecting ecological security and supporting the management and sustainable development of ecosystems. Therefore, this study constructed a novel ESP based on ecological “function–structure”, utilizing minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) to identify ecological source areas and corridors. Additionally, time scales were introduced into the ESP, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of ecological security in the Loess Plateau. The study revealed that the number of ecological sources decreased from southeast to northwest, with 27, 41, and 77 sources covering total areas of 4263.810 km2, 18,566.034 km2, and 113,209.595 km2 from 2000 to 2020, respectively. Similarly, the number and complexity of ecological corridors increased over the same time period, with 64, 85, and 105 corridors totaling lengths of 4579.326 km, 6526.996 km, and 7015.174 km, respectively. The expansion of ecological security zones was mainly observed in the southeast part of the Loess Plateau. Overall, the ESP of the Loess Plateau saw an improvement, with the southeastern part showing better ecological security than the northwestern part. These findings hold great significance for regional ecological security evaluations and are crucial for promoting ecological management and healthy development in the Loess Plateau.

Research on the Construction of a Composite Humanistic Forest Ecological Corridor in the Main Urban Area of Daqing City

The essential significance of forest ecological corridors primarily revolves around their role in enhancing and maintaining balance in the ecological environment. However, an aspect that has not been adequately addressed is their potential in terms of recreational services. Focusing on the main urban area of Daqing City, this research investigates the integration of ecological and recreational objectives, adopting an “ecology-humanity” composite perspective. (1) Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) and connectivity analyses were employed to identify ecological sources and construct an ecological resistance framework, and potential corridors were then delineated under ecological scenarios using the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model; (2) then, the resistance system was refined using ArcGIS network analysis to identify potential corridors for recreational scenarios; (3) finally, this study examined the network layout of ecological and recreational routes, aiming to integrate an optimal humanistic configuration of forest ecological corridors that aligns with dual objectives. The spatial distribution of forest ecological corridors in Daqing City’s main urban area reveals a pattern where densely constructed areas predominantly feature recreational corridors and less-developed regions are characterized by ecological corridors. Ecological composite corridors serve as crucial links between these types of areas, mainly enhancing the urban layout and refining its structure.

Evaluating suitability of development and construction with of minimum cumulative resistance model for a mountain scenic area in Jinyun Xiandu, China

Owing to the intricate nature of the ecological environment and spatial complexity, effectively mitigating over-exploitation and ecological harm poses a challenge during the development and construction of mountain scenic areas. Ttraditional ecological sensitivity assessment employed in mountain scenic areas mainly focuses on ecological protection, neglecting the dynamic interplay between ecology and the evolution of construction land.Taking Xiandu mountain scenic area, a representative mountainous development zone in Jinyun County, Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, China, as a study area, this study employs the minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR) to simulate the resistance encountered by ecological sources and construction activities during the expansion process. The study establishes an evaluation framework for development in mountain scenic areas, considering ecological processes both vertically and horizontally. Quantitative analyses are performed through ArcGIS and the analytic network process (ANP) to delineate development adaptability zones in the mountain scenic area. The study utilizes grid mutation points to determine the zoning threshold for development suitability in mountain scenic areas, resulting in the categorization of these areas into four distinct types of development zones: most appropriate for construction, suitable for construction, not suitable for construction, and least suitable for construction.The partition result shows that the most appropriate construction area constitutes 6.68% of the primary scenic area, while the suitable construction zone occupies 40.64% of the main scenic expanse.The study can expand the application area of the MCR model, and the evaluation framework can augment the accuracy and breadth for future mountain scenic area development researches.

Enhancing the MSPA Method to Incorporate Ecological Sensitivity: Construction of Ecological Security Patterns in Harbin City

China’s urban development has reached a stage where green sustainable development must be considered. Constructing an ecological security pattern (ESP) can effectively contribute to maintaining sustainable development and ecological safety in a city. Harbin, a significant city in northeastern China, serves as the study area with a focus on its urban central district. To construct and optimize Harbin’s ESP, this study utilized ecological sensitivity assessment, MSPA (morphological spatial pattern analysis), the gravity model, landscape connectivity assessment, and the MCR (minimum cumulative resistance) model to identify source areas, corridors, and nodes. Research reveals that there are 23 ecological source areas within the study area, primarily situated along the Songhua River and in the mountain woodlands of the A-cheng District. This study identified 48 corridors, predominantly situated in the Daowai District, A-cheng District, and the eastern part of Xiangfang District. Among these, 8 are deemed significant ecological corridors, along with 10 important connecting corridors. We propose the structure of ecological security pattern optimization, referred to as the “two axes, two belts, and four areas”, and present corresponding ecological management recommendations. The analytical framework provides a valuable method for constructing ecological security patterns and selecting source areas at the regional scale in Harbin City, particularly in complex plain urban areas.

Distribution Pattern of Suitable Areas and Corridor Identification of Endangered Ephedra Species in China.

The suitable habitat of endangered Ephedra species has been severely threatened and affected by climate change and anthropogenic activities; however, their migration trends and restoration strategies are still relatively understudied. In this study, we utilized the MaxEnt model to simulate the suitable habitats of five endangered Ephedra species in China under current and future climate scenarios. Additionally, we identified significant ecological corridors by incorporating the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model. Under the current climate scenario, the suitable area of Ephedra equisetina Bunge, Ephedra intermedia Schrenk ex Mey, Ephedra sinica Stapf, and Ephedra monosperma Gmel ex Mey comprised 16% of the area in China, while Ephedra rhytidosperma Pachom comprised only 0.05%. The distribution patterns of these five Ephedra species were primarily influenced by altitude, salinity, temperature, and precipitation. Under future climate scenarios, the suitable areas of E. equisetina, E. intermedia, and E. sinica are projected to expand, while that of E. monosperma is expected to contract. Notably, E. rhytidosperma will lose its suitable area in the future. Our identified ecological corridors showed that the first-level corridors encompassed a wider geographical expanse, incorporating E. equisetina, E. intermedia, E. sinica, and E. monosperma, while that of E. rhytidosperma exhibited a shorter length and covered fewer geographical areas. Overall, our study provides novel insights into identifying priority protected areas and protection strategies targeting endangered Ephedra species.

Construction of carbon sequestration ecological network in Linyi City based on supply and demand of ecosystem service.

The increasing carbon emissions is one of the important reasons for global warming. As a key area of carbon emissions, carbon sequestration capacity of cities is urgently needed to be improved. Carbon sequestration ser-vices can be transferred between supply and demand areas due to the circulation of atmosphere. With Linyi City as an example, we used the minimum cumulative resistance model to extract the matching path of supply and demand, and constructed a carbon sequestration ecological network. The results showed that the regions with high supply of carbon sequestration services were located in the north and south of the study area, and that current total supply could solve about 60% of the total demand. Although the spatial distribution of supply and demand was uneven, 54% of the areas that could meet the surrounding carbon sequestration demand were still idle. The optimized supply-demand matching paths could maintain good transmission efficiency of material and energy, with lower costs. Paths with strong potential carbon sequestration capacity were located in the central and northwest part of the research area. In the construction of carbon sequestration ecological network, it is necessary to strengthen the protection and restoration of the supply side of carbon sequestration services, realize carbon reduction and strengthen carbon sequestration on the demand side, and optimize the matching path of supply and demand. This method provided services to the demand areas through the oversupply of ecosystem services, optimized the overall resource allocation, which could advance regional carbon sequestration capacity.