Regional Ecological Security Research Articles

Optimization of territorial ecological space under the constraint of ecosystem service externalities

Ecosystem services are dynamic, following specific paths between regions and generating externalities. However, research on these externalities and the mechanisms within ecological networks remains limited. The quantification, spatial patterns, and evolution of these externalities are still unclear and need further study. Utilizing land use, topography, precipitation, and socio-economic data from 2010 and 2020, the study aims to quantify the externalities of ecosystem services and analyze their spatial distribution and network transmission characteristics within the Territorial Ecological Space (TES) of Jintan District. Using the InVEST model, we assessed the externalities of ecosystem services and integrated these with an ecological network model to reveal the impact of network structure on the flow of externalities. We propose an ecological space optimization plan with various scenarios, offering a reference for regional ecological space optimization. Key findings indicate that ecosystem service externalities exist and display spatial differentiation, with ecological source areas and corridors participating in the flow and dissipation of these services. Based on these findings, an ecological space optimization plan is proposed, consisting of multiple scenarios, which offers a reference for regional ecological space optimization. The study contributes to the sustainable management of ecological spaces by providing new insights and methodological advancements, particularly in the context of optimizing ecological spatial structures and ensuring regional ecological security. By elucidating the spatial dynamics and network transmission of ecosystem service externalities, this research supports informed decision-making in ecological conservation and land use planning.

Spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem service bundles and the driving factors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

Defining a multi-service spatial pattern and ecosystem packages is the key to ensuring regional ecological security and sustainable development. Ecosystem service bundles can effectively discern the interactions among multiple services and regionalize ecological functional zones. Aiming at a range of environmental and ecological challenges in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, such as water scarcity, soil erosion, land degradation, poor forest and grassland quality, and shrinking agricultural land, the spatial pattern and driving forces of eight crux ecosystem services, including product supply, soil conservation, water conservation, carbon storage, sand fixation, environment purification, biological diversity and recreation culture, were analyzed by combining multiple model algorithms. Additionally, spatial system clustering was employed to identify ecosystem services bundles and optimize the ecological functional zoning. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity of the eight ecosystem services in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. High product supply concentrated in plain regions, while the rest seven ecosystem services were dominant in in mountainous areas. The region can be classified into four service bundles: ecological conservation service (ECS), ecological restoration service (ERS), product supply service (PSS) and ecological fragile service (EFS). ECS and ERS are dominated by regulating and supporting services, which are primarily driven by climatic factors and NDVI. ERS exhibits relatively low service level and is the crucial area for future ecological restoration. PSS is dominated by food supply, with land use change being the primary driving force. At present, with the rapid urbanization, various ecosystem services provided by EFS is inadequate. In the future, urban ecological construction should be strengthened to enhance regional ecosystem services capabilities.

Urban multi-scale ecological network sequence and spatial structure optimization: A case study in Nanjing city, China

Rapid urbanization has had a segmented effect on the ecological land and natural environment in cities. Constructing an ecological network is of vital importance to protect ecological resources and maintain regional ecological security. However, ecological spaces at different administrative scales have their own ecological functions and elemental characteristics. Therefore, we formed the ecological network sequence to present the integrative connection of multi-scale with municipal area (MA), main urban area (MUA) and central urban area (CUA) in Nanjing. Ecological sources were identified through “landscape—function—structure” framework, and ecosystem services value (ESV) was used as an auxiliary method to identify supplementary sources. Ecological corridors and some key points were identified through circuit theory. The results show that the area of ecological sources in MA, MUA and CUA was 427.3 km2, 62.5 km2 and 16.2 km2, respectively. By integrating sources of three scales, we got 14 sources (442.7 km2) in the first sequence and 10 sources (7.7 km2) in the second sequence. Apart from that, we also got 4 new supplementary sources with area of 13.5 km2. The length of ecological corridors in MA, MUA and CUA was 252.5 km, 263.9 km and 22.7 km, respectively. By integrating corridors of three scales, we found that the western corridors between the ecological sources had a higher gravitation. The ecological nodes are generally distributed in the landscape heterogeneity transition zone, ecological resource fringe zone and ecological spatial contiguous zone. The ecological pinch points are generally distributed along the water system. The ecological barrier points are generally distributed in the combination area among the urban block, village and road. In conclusion, this study made up for the research gap of finding the nesting and integration relationship among ecological networks at multi-scale.

Impacts of Land Use Changes on Landscape Patterns and Ecosystem Service Values in Counties (Villages) in Ethnic Regions of China: A Case Study of Jianghua Yao Autonomous County, Hunan Province

This study, using Jianghua Yao Autonomous County in Hunan Province as a case, systematically analyzes the response of ecosystem service value (ESV) to land use and landscape pattern changes by employing landscape-level indices and landscape-type-level indices. The findings provide a reliable basis for scientifically formulating land use planning and ecological protection policies in ethnic regions, thereby promoting regional ecological security and sustainable development. This study reveals that (1) the land use structure in the county underwent significant changes between 2000 and 2020, with grassland and shrubland areas decreasing substantially by 71.66% and 78.41%, respectively, while urban and arable land areas increased significantly by 228.30% and 15.84%, respectively. Particularly under the scenario of prioritizing economic development, these changes led to increased landscape fragmentation and a decline in ecosystem service value (from CNY 296.571 billion in 2020 to CNY 287.959 billion in 2030). (2) In contrast, the scenarios of ecological protection and sustainable development significantly enhanced the region’s ecosystem service value by increasing forest and water area, effectively maintaining the stability of the landscape pattern. These findings provide important evidence for the formulation of scientifically sound land use planning and ecological protection policies, contributing to the dual goals of economic development, tourism growth and ecological protection in Jianghua Yao Autonomous County and similar regions.

Photovoltaic Solar Farms Site Selection through “Policy Constraints–Construction Suitability”: A Case Study of Qilian County, Qinghai

The scientific selection of photovoltaic (PV) sites is essential for achieving sustainable development of renewable energy and ensuring regional ecological security. In western China, extensive land resources coexist with a fragile ecological environment. To this end, we propose a PV siting framework based on policy restrictions and construction suitability. This paper evaluated the PV construction suitability index (CSI) from four dimensions of topography, climate, location, and ecology and proposed typical “PV+” models. Then, Qilian County was selected as a case study. The results showed the following: (1) In Qilian, 59.97% (8333.18 km2) of the area is unsuitable for development due to policy restrictions, leaving 40.03% (5563.02 km2) available for PV construction. (2) The most suitable areas are approximately in the western and southern areas, where there is a lot in common with the reported PV sites under construction. (3) Three distinct PV development models are proposed according to policy guidelines and local circumstances, including the PV + pastoralism model, PV + mine rehabilitation model, and PV + hydropower model. The results can be used to determine the suitable areas for solar PV farms and the appropriate development model, as well as promote the sustainable development of renewable energy.

Season-dependent climate sensitivity of the surface runoff of major rivers in Changbai Mountain

Due to the sensitivity of runoff to changes in seasonal snowpack, the changes in surface runoff within high-latitude and high-elevation areas are more complex than in other areas. However, this sensitivity is often overlooked when correlating changes in runoff with meteorological variables. Here, we analyze changes in surface runoff during snowmelt and snowless periods and their sensitivity to climate change from 1960 to 2019 in the upstream watersheds of the Songhua, Yalu, and Tumen Rivers in Changbai Mountain. Most runoff indices, except for low flow in the Yalu River, exhibited decreasing trends during snowmelt and snowless periods. Precipitation was the primary variable responsible for surface runoff during snowless and snowmelt periods. Notably, rainfall replenished all runoff indices during snowless periods, particularly under high flow conditions. The average and high flows were also primarily supplemented by rainfall during snowmelt periods. However, low flow was positively correlated with snowmelt in the Songhua and Tumen Rivers and with temperature in the Songhua, Yalu and Tumen Rivers during snowmelt periods. Additionally, extreme runoff events were closely associated with extreme precipitation. These findings demonstrate the seasonal and index-dependent climate sensitivity of surface runoff within Changbai Mountain, offering insights into the surface runoff response mechanism to climate change in high-altitude mountainous areas. Under future climate change conditions, frequent and intense extreme precipitation events may increase the risk of flooding, owing to the high sensitivity of high flows to precipitation, posing a serious threat to regional ecological security.

Stepwise Construction and Integration of Ecological Network in Resource-Based Regions: A Case Study on Liaoning Province, China

Ecological networks are an effective strategy to maintain regional ecological security. However, current research on ecological network construction in areas with large-scale resource extraction is limited. Moreover, classic ecological network construction methods do not perform satisfactorily when implemented in heavily damaged mining landscapes. Taking the example of Liaoning Province, China, a framework for stepwise renewal of ecological networks was proposed, which integrates basic ecological sources and other sources that include mining areas. The framework was based on multi-source ecological environment monitoring data, and all potential ecological sources were extracted and screened using an MSPA model and the area threshold method. Further, ecological sources were classified into two types and three levels based on the influence of abandoned mines and the characteristics of ecosystem services in the ecological sources. Ecological corridors were extracted using the MCR model. An ecological corridor optimization process based on combining the gravity model with addition and removal rules of corridors was proposed. The results indicated that the basic ecological network in Liaoning Province included 101 ecological sources and 162 ecological corridors, and the supplementary ecological network included 28 ecological sources and 67 ecological corridors. The ecological sources were divided into two types, and corridors were divided into three types. The basic ecological network exhibited a spatial distribution of discrete connections in the west and close connections in the east. Changes in ecological network topological indicators indicated that a supplementary ecological network strengthened the structural performance of the regional ecological network, expanding spatial coverage, filling hollow areas, and enriching local details of the regional ecological network. Regulation strategies were proposed for ecological sources with different connection modes. The number of ecological sources implementing restrictive development, pattern optimization, and protective development were 101, 12, and 16, respectively. This paper provides a constructing framework of ecological networks adapted for resource-based regions. This method can support decisions for the environmental governance of mines, thus contributing to a balance between resource exploitation and ecological protection in regions.

Construction of landscape ecological network based on MCR risk assessment Model: A case study of Liaoning Province, China

Numerous disorderly expansions of impervious surfaces have resulted from the ongoing urbanization process, eroding the ecological security pattern and exacerbating ecological risks, subsequently leading to a progressive deterioration in its integrity. The tension between the expansion of ecological space and urban spatial expansion is becoming increasingly acute. Exploring the connection between ecological risks in urban landscapes is important for effectively managing regional ecological risks and optimizing patterns of regional ecological security. However, previous studies focus on selecting ecological sources in an ecological network and ignore how ecological resilience is impacted by factors such as species diversity, ecological structure complexity, etc. Based on remote sensing images of Liaoning Province in 2000, 2010, and 2020, the study used the landscape core index as the main indicator of ecological risk assessment, constructed a landscape ecological risk assessment model, and analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution of landscape ecological risk over the past 20 years. The impact of landscape ecological risk on ecological resistance was further explored, and the landscape ecological risk results in 2020 were used as one of the resistance factors to construct a multi-indicator comprehensive resistance surface. After identifying important ecological sources, an ecological network based on the minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR) was constructed, the optimal path connecting important ecological source areas was determined, and the distribution pattern characteristics of the internal ecological network in Liaoning Province were revealed. The findings indicate a general shift in ecological risks from high to low, following a distribution pattern of “high in the east and low in the west”. Additionally, the study identified 8 ecological sources and established 28 ecological corridors, spanning a total length of roughly 8160 km. This study aims to furnish a scientific foundation for developing an ecological security pattern network and optimizing the landscape pattern within Liaoning Province.

Investigating the Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Land Cover and Ecosystem Service Value in the Kuye River Basin

Land cover change influences the provision of regional ecosystem services, posing a threat to regional ecological security and sustainable development. The Kuye River Basin, a vital tributary of the Yellow River Basin, has experienced significant land cover changes due to intense human activity. Building on analysing the spatiotemporal evolution of land use cover and ecosystem service values from 1990 to 2022, this study predicted the land cover structure and ecosystem service value with two future scenarios, the NDC and the EPC, to provide insights into guiding sustainable policy interventions. We found the predominant land cover types were greensward and forest land, accounting for 67.22% of the total area. Forest land, greensward, and farmland have increased, while desert, water area, and other land types have decreased from 1990 to 2022. Forest land, greensward, farmland, and water areas are the main contributors to ecosystem service value in the Kuye River Basin. However, water area services have significantly decreased from 1990 to 2022. Under the NDC scenario, land development primarily relies on greensward and farmland, reducing forest and water areas and weakening the ecosystem’s regulatory and supporting functions. In contrast, the EPC scenario enhances ecosystem services by protecting critical ecological regions. Ecological protection measures significantly increase the ecosystem service values of the Kuye River Basin, and well-planned land use can effectively balance economic development with ecological preservation. This study provides scientific evidence to inform policies integrating ecological protection and economic growth, contributing to the sustainable development of the Kuye River Basin.

Temporal and Spatial Variations in Rainfall Erosivity on Hainan Island and the Influence of the El Niño/Southern Oscillation

Rainfall erosivity (RE), a pivotal external force driving soil erosion, is impacted by El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Studying the spatiotemporal variations in RE and their response to ENSO is essential for regional ecological security. In this study, a daily RE model was identified as a calculation model through an evaluation of model suitability. Daily precipitation data from 1971 to 2020 from 38 meteorological stations on Hainan Island, China, were utilized to calculate the RE. The multivariate ENSO index (MEI), Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), and Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) were used as the ENSO characterization indices, and the effects of ENSO on RE were investigated via cross-wavelet analysis and binary and multivariate wavelet coherence analysis. During the whole study period, the average RE of Hainan Island was 15,671.28 MJ·mm·ha−1·h−1, with a fluctuating overall upward trend. There were spatial and temporal distribution differences in RE, with temporal concentrations in summer (June–August) and a spatial pattern of decreasing from east to west. During ENSO events, the RE was greater during the El Niño period than during the La Niña period. For the ENSO characterization indices, the MEI, SOI, and ONI showed significant correlations and resonance effects with RE, but there were differences in the time of occurrence, direction of action, and intensity. In addition, the MEI and MEI–ONI affected RE individually or jointly at different time scales. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the influence of ENSO on RE and can provide important insights for the prediction of soil erosion and the development of related coping strategies.

Ecological security assessment of Yunnan Province, China in the context of Production-Living-Ecological space division.

With the rapid development of population, society and economy, human activities have caused serious adverse impacts on the environment, ecosystems and landscape patterns over the long term. In order to address the series of impacts of human activities on the environment, territorial space and resource use, the study of Production-Living-Ecological Space (PLES) and ecological security have all become academic frontiers in the field of sustainable development. In this study, we applied multi-source data and GIS technology to construct an ecological security evaluation model based on the results of PLES delineation and the Pressure-State-Response (PSR)framework, and carried out the three-period PLES ecological security evaluation for 2000, 2010 and 2020 at the county and grid scales in Yunnan Province. The PLES pattern in Yunnan Province is dominated by ecological space, which accounts for 75%, followed by 23% of production space, with ecological space shrinking from 2000 to 2020. Ecological security in ecological space and living space shows an improving trend from 2000 to 2020. The ecological security of production space improved in 2010 compared to 2000 but then showed a decreasing trend in 2020. Ecological security in ecological space shows that north-western and southern Yunnan is safer than central Yunnan, while ecological security in living space is safer in central Yunnan, and ecological security in production space is better in southern Yunnan than in northern Yunnan. Comparison with related research results shows that the ecological security evaluation results of PLES in Yunnan Province in this study are scientific and reasonable. The ecological security evaluation model of PLES constructed in this study solves the problem of complex and incomplete ecological security evaluation indexes in the past, and the results of the study are more refined and precise, which provides new ideas for the study of regional ecological security.

Ecological Evaluation of Land Resources in the Yangtze River Delta Region by Remote Sensing Observation

The evaluation of land ecological security (LES) evaluates how human activity and land use affect land ecosystems. Its ultimate objective is to provide guidance and assistance for decision making in order to preserve and restore the efficacy and health of terrestrial ecosystems. The assessment model presented in this article is comprehensive and integrates the advantages of both subjective and objective weighting techniques. This study extends the “Pressure–State–Response” (PSR) model to “Driver–Pressure–State-Impact–Response” (DPSIR) and combines it with TOPSISI to determine the weights of each contributing component. Furthermore, the geographical and temporal distribution patterns of regional land ecological security levels were investigated using GIS geostatistical approaches. According to this study, (1) the Yangtze River Delta region’s LES index, with a mean value in the fairly safe range, is generally safe. The year 2019 marks an inflection point for the index, with the highest level of ecological safety on land. The primary element is the modification of environmental policies that are enacted by the government. (2) The LES status is divided into two stages during the course of this study. The Yangtze River Delta region’s LES quickly develops throughout the first stage (2012–2019), which sees a shift in the safety rating from IV to II. The second stage (2019–2023) sees a progressive improvement in the LES index and a shift in the safety category from Class II to Class I. (3) Important variables influencing the geographical distribution of LES in the Yangtze River Delta region include barrier elements, including soil and water erosion areas, flood disaster areas, grain planting areas, urban green covering areas, and effective irrigation areas of farmland.

Identifying and Optimizing the Ecological Security Pattern of the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Urban Agglomeration from 2000 to 2030

The conflict between economic development and ecological protection continues to intensify, highlighting the necessity for constructing regional ecological security patterns (ESPs) to reconcile the relationship between development and protection effectively. This study used the GMOP and PLUS model to simulate future land use changes by 2030 under the following three scenarios: natural development (ND), ecological protection (EP), and economic development (ED). Employing the MSPA model and circuit theory, it identified ecological source areas and constructed the ESP for the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei urban agglomeration (BTH) from 2000 to 2030. The results indicate that the proportion of ecological source areas increased from 22.24% in 2000 to 23.09% in 2020, the EP scenario showing the highest proportion of ecological source areas compared with the other two scenarios. These areas are densely distributed in the northern and western mountainous regions, with sparse distributions in the southern plains. The number of ecological corridors grew from 603 in 2000 to 616 in 2020, with the EP scenario having more corridors than the other two scenarios. From 2000 to 2030, corridors in the northern and western mountainous areas were denser, shorter, and more variable, while those in the southern plains were less dense, longer, and relatively stable. Over two decades, habitat areas for species in BTH increased, while landscape connectivity decreased. Compared with 2020 and the other two scenarios, the EP scenario saw an increase in habitat areas and improved landscape connectivity. The impact on ecological corridors and improvement areas primarily arose from a combination of socio-ecological drivers (e.g., elevation, slope, population), while the influence on restoration and key areas mainly stemmed from ecological factors (e.g., elevation, temperature, NDVI, precipitation). The findings demonstrate that distinguishing different geomorphological units to improve and restore the regional environment, while considering socio-ecological drivers, is crucial for restoring the overall ESP and landscape connectivity of BTH.

Impacts of the land use transition on ecosystem services in the Dongting Lake area

Urbanization-induced land use transitions (LUTs) result in a decline in ecosystem services, which has implications for regional ecological security. In order to explore the relationship between ecosystem services and land use transition, this paper utilizes the InVEST model, a geographically weighted regression (GWR) model, to examine the impact of land use transition on ecosystem services in the Dongting Lake area (DLA). The results showed that 1) with the change in urbanization development, the average values of land use transition intensity (LUI) in 2000, 2010, and 2020 are 237.99, 235.82, and 238.92, respectively. Land use dynamics (LUD) show a tendency to increase and then decrease, with average values of 5.58 and 5.62 for the periods 2000–2010 and 2010–2020, respectively, and the transformation of land use shows obvious spatio-temporal heterogeneity. 2) Habitat quality and carbon sequestration showed a downward trend. In contrast, food supply followed an upward trend; soil conservation (SC) and water yield (WY) services initially increased and decreased later. The overall spatial changes in habitat quality and carbon sequestration appear to be insignificant. Food supply shows significant differences in the plains compared to other areas, while soil conservation and water yield service show significant changes in places other than the DLA. 3) From 2000 to 2020, land use transition dynamics, population density, GDP density, night lighting, and transition intensity had mainly negative effects on ecosystem services. Only the Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) showed a positive effect on ecosystem services. The results of the research will provide valuable references for the development and implementation of spatial ecological restoration planning and land use policies in the national territory.

Research on spatial patterns of soil erosion in wind erosion region based on the revised wind erosion equation and partial least squares regression

Understanding the complex influencing factors of soil erosion is critical for maintaining regional ecological security. The revised wind erosion equation (RWEQ) and partial least squares regression (PLSR) model were used to reveal the primary factors affecting soil erosion. Based on the results of the RWEQ model, the wind erosion area was 8,439.3 km2 in 2018, accounting for 54.3% of the total planning area, and mild erosion, moderate erosion, intense erosion, very intense erosion, and fierce erosion accounted for 18.22%, 11.43%, 11.78%, 10.16%, and 2.74% of the total planning area, respectively. Based on the results of the PLSR model, the results indicate that the proportion of mining land, meteorological indicators, and mean square deviation of slope difference were positively correlated with the soil erosion area, intensity, and severity, respectively. The proportion of grassland and forest land was negatively correlated with the soil erosion area, intensity, and severity. The mean square deviation of slope difference, the mean square deviation of difference in elevation, and the proportion of urban land use contributed the most to the soil erosion severity index, with variable importance in projection (VIP) scores of 1.55, 1.44 and 1.43, respectively. The mean square deviation of slope difference, the proportion of urban land, and the mean square deviation of difference in elevation contributed the most to the soil erosion area, with VIP scores of 1.53, 1.26 and 1.24, respectively. The results provide new insights into wind erosion and the influences of weather conditions and human influences, which can guide regional soil and water conservation planning in wind erosion regions.

Identification of spatial protection and restoration priorities for ecological security pattern in a rapidly urbanized region: A case study in the Chengdu–Chongqing economic Circle, China

The continuous expansion of modern cities not only leads to ecological degradation but also seriously threatens regional ecological security and sustainable development. The construction of ecological security patterns (ESPs) has emerged as a significant approach to alleviate or even solve the conflict between regional development and ecological protection. The Chengdu–Chongqing Economic Circle (CCEC) represents the core area of regional economic development strategy in western China, characterized by rapid economic growth from 2000 to 2020. This study integrates assessments of ecosystem services importance, eco-environmental sensitivity and landscape connectivity; uses circuit theory and hydrological analysis to establish a research framework for the spatiotemporal evolution of regional ESP; and develops an optimized ESP combined with the Major Function Oriented Zone. The results indicate that urban expansion significantly impacted the ESP of the CCEC between 2000 and 2020. The fragmentation and merging of ecological sources occurred simultaneously, the number of patches reduced by 28.13% from 64 to 46. The early ecological security network was compromised, leading to the disappearance or elongation of some ecological corridors. The number of ecological corridors decreased by 36.03% from 136 to 87; the total length was reduced by 29.92% from 7500.57 km to 5256.28 km. Urgent optimization of the ESP is needed, reducing the number of key ecological protection areas by 50% from 106 to 53 while increasing priority restoration areas by 13.51% from 37 to 42. The study also reveals the insufficiency of the current Major Function Oriented Zone in protecting linear corridors, necessitating focused attention on the protection and restoration of ecological sources and surrounding corridors in important development zones. Additionally, a spatial optimization strategy of "one shelter, two cores, and three regions" is proposed to enhance regional ecosystem stability and connectivity. The aim was to strike a balance between ecological protection and food security by recommending an ecological corridor width range of 30∼100 m. These research findings offer scientific guidance for ecological space protection and restoration in the CCEC, contributing to the enhancement of both scientific and rational ecological planning in rapidly urbanizing areas.

Factors influencing the relationship between perceptions of ecosystem services and well-being of farmers in the ore-agriculture zone, China

Understanding the coupling relationship between ecosystem service perceptions (ESP) and farmers’ well-being (FWB) in the ore-agriculture zone plays an important strategic role in maintaining regional ecological security and improving the well-being of regional farmers. Based on field research, questionnaire surveys and other methods, this study took farmers around the coal mining development zone as research subjects and used a comprehensive multi-index assessment method to evaluate the level of ESP and the FWB in the research area. A coupling coordination degree model was used to analyze the coupling relationship between ESP and FWB, and the random forest model was used to explore the influencing factors of the coupling relationship between the two. The results showed: (1) The FWB index was moderate and the ESP index was low. Farmers’ perceptions of the different ecosystem services varied, with provisioning services being perceived most strongly and supporting services least strongly. Satisfaction with basic material needs was highest on the well-being assessment. (2) The overall state of ESP and FWB coupling was good, with most of them in the state of coordination improvement. From the perspective of dimensional differentiation, the coupling of the dimensions of ESP and FWB was poorly coordinated, and all of them were in the state of dysfunction regression. (3) The coupling relationship between ESP and FWB was influenced by both environmental and household characteristics, with the former having a stronger effect. The results of this study can serve as a reference for promoting the coordination of ESP and FWB in the ore-agriculture zone, and ultimately realize the sustainable development of ecology and human in the ore-agriculture zone.

Construction of ecological network and its temporal and spatial evolution characteristics: A case study of Ulanqab

Constructing an ecological network is crucial to maintaining ecosystem stability, optimizing ecological space, and ensuring regional ecological security. Using circuit theory, the study integrated habitat condition, ecosystem function, and landscape structure to construct ecological network in Ulanqab. The ecological networks consist of four basic components, including sources, resistance surfaces, corridors and nodes. Ecological sources refer to patches with high habitat quality, while the resistance to species movement between patches is named as ecological resistance surfaces, the important corridors for movement between patches are referred to as ecological corridors, and the vital spots in ecological network are referred to ecological nodes. In addition, the drivers affecting these changes were also analyzed using geographical detector. The results indicated that the area of ecological sources dropped by 19.1 % and the area of high value of ecological resistance surfaces increased from 2000 and 2020. The length of ecological corridors increased by 793.80 km. Mean annual precipitation is the main natural factor influencing the ecological network, and land use intensity and human footprint are the main anthropogenic factors. Our findings suggest that in this region, urban developing should minimize the encroachment on grasslands, forests and waters. Additionally, the availability of water resources should be considered in the planning and implementation of ecological restoration and protection. The findings of the study offer reasonable suggestions for the protection and restoration of priority regions, as well as a scientific foundation optimization and sustainable development of the regional ecological network.

Wetland Distribution Prediction Based on CA–Markov Model under Current Land Use and Protection Policy in Sanjiang Plain

The conflict between grain production and wetland resource protection in plain wetland is prominent. Understanding the future impacts of current land use policies on wetlands is the key to rationally evaluating and adjusting these policies. Therefore, the objective of the research was to predict the potential distribution of Sanjiang plain wetland under the current land use and protection policy using remote sensing images and CA Markov models. Methodologically, Landsat TM remote sensing images of the Sanjiang Plain (2010–2020) were used to extract wetland distribution based on object-oriented methods, and the characteristics and patterns of wetland change caused by the land use and protection policies during this period were analyzed. A CA–Markov model was used to predict the potential distribution of Sanjiang Plain wetland in 2030, 2040, 2050, and 2060. Then, we summarized the advantages and disadvantages of current land use policies and put forward adjustment measures. The results indicate that during 2010 and 2020, the wetland area of Sanjiang Plain decreased by 22.34%. The conversion ratio of wetland to non-wetland type (mainly farmland) in the first half and the second half of the decade was 46.41% and 15.31%, respectively, and the decrease in wetland showed an obvious slowing trend. The spatial distribution prediction in future showed that the wetland area will continue to decline in 2030, and the decline will basically stop in 2040. Finally, the proportion of wetland area will remain at 8.68% of the total area of Sanjiang Plain, with that of some counties and cities less than 5%. It is concluded that, although the current land use policies in Sanjiang Plain can effectively slow down the wetland area shrinking and stabilize the spatial pattern, a very low proportion of wetland area in some areas will make it difficult for the wetland ecosystem to exert ecological functions and ensure regional ecological security. The wetland conservation managers should adjust the current land use policies according to relevant requirements of farmland protection policies and restore the areal proportion and spatial pattern of wetland in order to help with regional sustainable development.

Exploring the ecological security evaluation of water resources in the Yangtze River Basin under the background of ecological sustainable development

The Yangtze River (hereafter referred to as the YZR), the largest river in China, is of paramount importance for ensuring water resource security. The Yangtze River Basin (hereafter referred to as the YRB) is one of the most densely populated areas in China, and complex human activities have a significant impact on the ecological security of water resources. Therefore, this paper employs theories related to ecological population evolution and the Driving Force-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) model to construct an indicator system for the ecological security of water resources in the YRB. The report evaluates the ecological security status of water resources in each province of the YRB from 2010 to 2019, clarifies the development trend of its water resource ecological security, and proposes corresponding strategies for regional ecological security and coordinated economic development. According to the results of the ecological population evolution competition model, the overall indicator of the ecological security of water resources in the YRB continues to improve, with the safety level increasing annually. Maintaining sound management of water resources in the YRB is crucial for sustainable socioeconomic development. To further promote the ecological security of water resources in the YRB and the coordinated development of the regional economy, this paper proposes policy suggestions such as promoting the continuous advancement of sustainable development projects, actively adjusting industrial structure, continuously enhancing public environmental awareness, and actively participating in international ecological construction and seeking cooperation among multiple departments.