Landscape Spatial Pattern Research Articles

Simulation modelling demonstrates differential performance of connectivity methods in their ability to predict genetic diversity in complex landscapes

ContextThere have been few evaluations of how well different connectivity modelling methods are able to predict the spatial genetic structure and genetic diversity of populations residing in complex landscapes. Given the wide application of connectivity modelling tools in applied conservation planning, it is crucial to broadly evaluate how these models perform across resistance, movement, and population structure conditions in predicting genetic diversity patterns. Such evaluations are critical to provide rigorous, biologically based guidance for conservation and management applications. ObjectivesOur goal was to investigate how the predictions of three connectivity models were related to spatial patterns of genetic diversity complex landscapes, considering factors such as population structure, resistance, genetic drift, genetic disequilibrium, and organism movement abilities. MethodsWe evaluated the performance of several connectivity methods across seven a priori landscape resistance surfaces to provide a broad assessment of their performance. We used CDPOP, an individual-based, spatially explicit population and genetic simulation model, to simulate genetic diversity across these resistance surfaces. This provided a pool of genetic diversity patterns that were the response factor in our simulation experiment. We then simulated landscape connectivity with several popular connectivity methods, including resistant kernels, Circuitscape, and Pathwalker, and evaluated how well they were able to predict spatial patterns of genetic diversity. ResultsResistant kernel outperformed other connectivity methods in predicting landscape patterns of genetic diversity. The strongest relationships occurred when the population process has created spatial structure but has not yet led to significant genetic diversity loss due to drift. The time lag disequilibrium was relatively short. Long simulation times resulted in severe reduction in prediction ability due to drift. ConclusionsResistant kernel predictions were much more strongly related to spatial patterns of genetic diversity than were predictions produced by Circuitscape and Pathwalker, across a large combination of population structures. Strong relationships exist between functional connectivity and genetic diversity, with clearer and stronger associations seen in spatial patterns of allelic richness compared to heterozygosity or spatial effective population size. Our results confirm the strong relationship between genetic diversity and population connectivity, and suggest that computationally efficient incidence function algorithms, such as resistant kernel methods, are well suited to predicting functional connectivity.

Evaluation and Optimization of Landscape Spatial Patterns and Ecosystem Services in the Northern Agro-Pastoral Ecotone, China

The alteration of landscape spatial patterns (LSPs) and ecosystem services (ESs) in watersheds can have detrimental effects on the local environment and community. However, a comprehensive understanding of the current state of LSPs and ESs in watersheds around Winter Olympic venues in China is limited. Here, we assessed current LSPs and ESs and developed optimization strategies for the Xigou watershed around Winter Olympic venues in the northern agro-pastoral ecotone of China. The results indicated that the main land use type was grassland in the Xigou watershed, and landscape types were relatively homogenous. All three ESs (water yield, sediment retention, and carbon storage) generally improved from 2004 to 2020. For ESs, there was the lowest total volume of water yield in 2004 (637.44 × 104 m3). But sediment retention (10.54 × 106 t, 18.13 × 106 t, 13.28 × 106 t, and 16.85 × 106 t) had an upward, then downward, then upward trend before and after ERP. Carbon storage grew steadily. Correlation analysis suggested that the three ESs were closely related to the landscape spatial indices of average patch area (AREA_MN), contagion index (CONTAG), and Shannon’s evenness index (SHEI). AREA_MN, CONTAG, and SHEI in the eastern part of the study area promoted sediment retention and carbon storage, while in the southwestern part of the study area, they inhibited water yield and sediment retention. The results suggest that improving sediment retention by optimizing land use and cover change (LUCC) and LSPs is the main approach to further enhance ESs in the study area. Our study suggests that the inclusion of multiple landscape pattern indices can provide a more comprehensive representation of regional ecosystem service.

Spatiotemporal landscape pattern changes and their effects on land surface temperature in greenbelt with semi-arid climate: A case study of the Erbil City, Iraq

Urban expansion of cities has caused changes in land use and land cover (LULC) in addition to transformations in the spatial characteristics of landscape structure. These alterations have generated heat islands and rise of land surface temperature (LST), which consequently have caused a variety of environmental issues and threated the sustainable development of urban areas. Greenbelts are employed as an urban planning containment policy to regulate urban expansion, safeguard natural open spaces, and serve adaptation and mitigation functions. And they are regarded as a powerful measure for enhancing urban environmental sustainability. Despite the fact that, the relation between landscape structure change and variation of LST has been examined thoroughly in many studies, but there is a limitation concerning this relation in semi-arid climate and in greenbelts as well, with the lacking of comprehensive research combing both aspects. Accordingly, this study investigated the spatiotemporal changes of landscape pattern of LULC and their relationship with variation of LST within an inner greenbelt in the semi-arid Erbil City of northern Iraq. The study utilized remote sensing data to retrieve LST, classified LULC, and calculated landscape metrics for analyzing spatial changes during the study period. The results indicated that both composition and configuration of LULC had an impact on the variation of LST in the study area. The Pearson’s correlation showed the significant effect of Vegetation 1 type (VH), cultivated land (CU), and bare soil (BS) on LST, as increase of LST was related to the decrease of VH and the increases of CU and BS, while, neither Vegetation 2 type (VL) nor built-up (BU) had any effects. Additionally, the spatial distribution of LULC also exhibited significant effects on LST, as LST was strongly correlated with landscape indices for VH, CU, and BS. However, for BU, only aggregation index metric affected LST, while none of VL metrics had a relation. The study provides insights for landscape planners and policymakers to not only develop more green spaces in greenbelt but also optimize the spatial landscape patterns to reduce the influence of LST on the urban environment, and further promote sustainable development and enhance well-being in the cities with semi-arid climate.

Revitalizing Rural Landscapes: Applying Cultural Landscape Gene Theory for Sustainable Spatial Planning in Linpu Village

In the context of rapid urbanization, it is imperative to address the preservation and sustainable development of rural landscapes. This study introduces a novel framework using cultural landscape gene theory to enhance the landscape spatial pattern of Linpu Village, China. Employing a multi-method approach, including data collection and historical data analysis, GIS analysis, and field surveys, we analyze the village’s landscape features and identify a well-preserved “one core, two wings” spatial configuration with diminishing accessibility from the center to the periphery. The study uncovers significant challenges to landscape coherence and legibility, including landscape element discontinuity, inadequate maintenance, and fragmented information. To address these issues, we propose optimization strategies aimed at revitalizing weakened cultural landscape genes, repairing disrupted elements, ensuring corridor integrity, and improving spatial organization. The extraction–construction–analysis–preservation model established in this research not only delivers a comprehensive analysis of Linpu’s cultural landscape but also offers a scalable framework for preserving the ecological and cultural integrity of traditional villages. This study contributes to the practical implementation of sustainable landscape strategies, enhancing the ecological adaptability and resilience of rural environments in the face of urban encroachment.

Investigating the effect of spatial patterns of artificial impervious surface on PM2.5 at the intra-urban scale

ABSTRACT Artificial impervious surface, as the hallmark of urbanization, contributes to urban development but simultaneously leads to urban PM2.5 pollution. However, how artificial impervious surface affected PM2.5 at the intra-urban scale was rarely investigated. By using remote-sensing techniques to derive PM2.5 concentrations and dividing urban areas into two categories with different urban development situation (areas with drastic expansion of artificial impervious surface (DEA) and areas with slight or no changes of artificial impervious surface (SNCA)), we provided a new perspective for investigating the effects of spatial patterns of artificial impervious surface on PM2.5. First, based on multi-source predictors, a two-staged XGBoost model was adopted to derive PM2.5 concentrations. Then, after delineating DEA and SNCA based on the variations of artificial impervious surface and selecting indicators, the overall and local effects of spatial patterns of artificial impervious surface were respectively explored by Original Least Square regression (OLS) and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR). The results demonstrated that, compared with in SNCA, population and economic development contributed to higher levels of PM2.5 concentrations in DEA. Additionally, in DEA, high PM2.5 concentrations tended to occur in areas with artificial impervious surfaces exhibiting high coverage, complex shape, and uncompact distribution. In SNCA, among all landscape spatial patterns, the effect of artificial impervious surface coverage was the strongest. Spatially, artificial impervious surface coverage and economic development had much more significant impacts on PM2.5 than other indicators. Among these two indicators, the exacerbating effect of artificial impervious surface coverage on PM2.5 pollution was more pronounced in SNCA, while economic development notably brought high PM2.5 concentrations in the suburban districts of DEA. In general, the framework proposed in this study advanced the understanding of the effects of artificial impervious surface on PM2.5 and the findings are valuable for the mitigation of PM2.5 pollution at the intra-urban scale.

The ecological value of Neotropical forest landscapes through a multicriteria approach employing spatial models

Ecological value (EV) is a term used to characterize the biotic or abiotic elements of a landscape, excluding human influence. Significant criteria for EV estimation can be grouped into two categories: ecological properties (biodiversity and vulnerability) and functional/structural features (fragmentation, connectivity, and resilience). While various methodological frameworks exist for estimating these criteria, few studies integrate all five criteria, and even fewer compare their results with fieldwork data. The objective of this study was to devise a novel spatial modelling tool for EV estimation based on biodiversity, vulnerability, fragmentation, connectivity, and resilience, utilizing data from Neotropical montane forests in west-central Mexico. The model incorporated data on (i) biodiversity and vulnerability estimated through ecological niche models, (ii) fragmentation and connectivity using landscape spatial patterns, and (iii) resilience estimated through the inverse of the vegetation sensitivity index. The results were then compared with fieldwork data. Natural protected areas within the Neotropical montane forests of west-central Mexico exhibited high EVs; however, a substantial portion of these forests lack legal protection. In terms of vegetation types, cloud and semideciduous forests exhibited the highest EV, emphasizing the urgent need for legal protection of these vital ecosystems. The comparison process demonstrated a moderate to high correlation in some criteria between the spatial and fieldwork data, indicating that the spatial model robustly captured the landscape spatial patterns. The spatial modelling tool proposed in this study is not only practical but also reproducible and applicable globally. Its efficacy lies in combining ecological properties with the functional and structural features of the landscape, making it particularly suitable for delineating protected natural areas and contributing to landscape planning efforts.

Incorporating suburban cropland into urban green infrastructure: A perspective of nature-based solutions in China

Urban green infrastructure (GI) addresses human social development issues and challenges through urban green space ecosystem services. However, the ecosystem service functions of suburban cropland, especially regulating services and cultural services, have been seriously underestimated. The distribution of green spaces and suburban cropland varies in different regions of China, as well as their potential development methods. This article examines the potential of integrating suburban cropland into urban green infrastructure, offering a perspective on nature-based solutions in China. We divided the suburban cropland in China into three parts: peri‑suburban, mid-suburban, and outer-suburban by the concept of 15-minute living circle based on different travel modes of people. Based on statistical yearbook data, satellite remote sensing images and the fragstats 4.2 programme, a quantitative analysis was conducted on the spatial distribution, landscape pattern and social development of suburban farmland and green space in four cities. Then, the potential for improving the exposure level of suburban cropland after incorporating suburban cropland into urban green infrastructure was quantified and compared. Finally, we explored the potential development of the three kinds of suburban cropland as green infrastructure based on the concept of NbS. We found the spatial pattern of cropland and green space in the mid-suburban is greatly affected by regional geographical conditions, the green exposure level, i.e., green space availability indicators, in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Xi'an increased by 83 %, 300 %, 24 %, and 612 %, respectively, after incorporating suburban cropland into urban green infrastructure. The potential development models for suburban cropland should be based on NbS and China's national conditions: peri‑suburban cropland should be fully utilized for cultural and social functions, the mid-suburban cropland should focus on multifunctional utilization of cropland, and the outer-suburban is prioritized for ecological functions. Our study provides scientific insights for deep exploration of the functions of suburban cropland in China.

Impact of territorial spatial landscape pattern on PM2.5 and O3 concentrations in the Yangtze River delta urban agglomeration: Exploration and planning strategies

PM2.5-O3 composite pollution has become a pressing atmospheric challenge in China. Assessing the impact of territorial spatial landscape pattern on PM2.5 and O3 concentrations within the context of territorial spatial planning will provide ideas for atmospheric governance and spatial planning. Based on the agricultural-urban-ecological space system, this study first reclassifies territorial space within the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRDUA) and calculates multilevel and multidimensional landscape metrics. Then, variables are screened by the random forest model and collinearity test. Furthermore, the spatiotemporally heterogeneous impact of selected landscape metrics on PM2.5 and O3 concentrations is explored using the geographically and temporally weighted regression (GTWR) model, with a tradeoff-synergy analysis being conducted to propose planning strategies. The conclusions show: (1) Two pollutant concentrations have both numerical and spatial correlations. The temporal stability of concentrations' responses to metrics is increasing, while the spatial heterogeneity continues to be significant. (2) Aggregation index of agricultural production space (AP_AI) and percentage of forest area (FO_PLAND) are trade-off and synergy factors of coordinated control, respectively. Largest patch index of grassland (GR_LPI) and patch density of other ecological spaces (OT_PD) are individual factors of PM2.5 reduction. (3) Spatial zoning supported by intra-zonal and inter-zonal cooperation policies, and coordinated control guidelines centered around the utilization of agricultural production space, have been advocated. This study aims to provide theoretical supplement and practical support for urban agglomeration's atmospheric governance and territorial spatial landscape pattern optimization.

New insight into the spatiotemporal distribution and ecological risk assessment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the Minjiang and Tuojiang rivers: perspective of watershed landscape patterns.

This study evaluated the pollution characteristics, spatiotemporal distribution, and ecological risks of eight endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the Minjiang and Tuojiang rivers. Utilizing 3S technology (ArcGIS, remote sensing, GPS) and Fragstats, the research calculated eight landscape pattern indices related to land use types along the Minjiang river and established correlations between landscape factors and EDC distribution through stepwise multiple regression. The results indicated that bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP) were the most concerning EDCs, with detection frequencies of 97-100% and peak concentrations up to 63.35 ng L-1, primarily located in the middle and lower reaches of the Minjiang river and the upper reaches of the Tuojiang river. There was a significant correlation between the spatial distribution of pollutants and landscape patterns, where increased fragmentation, a higher number of patches, and complex patch shapes within a 10-kilometer buffer zone were associated with elevated levels of river pollution. By integrating four classical mathematical models to fit curves for acute and chronic toxicity data of BPA and NP, the findings suggested that BPA posed a higher ecological risk. This interdisciplinary research provided essential theoretical insights for investigating river pollution and its influencing factors, offering a new perspective on simultaneous river pollution control, urban functional zoning, and adjustment of watershed landscape spatial patterns from an urban planning standpoint.

Identification of Urban Ecological Security Pattern Based on Ecosystem Services Supply–Demand

The construction of ecological security pattern (ESP) is an effective way to ensure regional ecological security. Although the method of constructing the regional ESP based on ecosystem services (ESs) has been widely recognized and applied, the spatial characteristics of ESs supply–demand mismatch has not been well included into ESP construction. We constructed a regional ESP framework connecting demand sources and ecological sources from the perspective of ESs supply–demand mismatch. Taking the Wuhan urban agglomeration (WUA), findings indicated distinct spatial aggregations of ecological sources and demand sources due to the supply–demand mismatch of ESs. Ecological sources (12,406.29 km 2 or 21.42%) were primarily located in the south and north of WUA, while demand sources (1,191.26 km 2 or 2.07%) were concentrated mainly in the central. Two types of corridors jointly ensured regional ecological security. A total of 86 supply–supply corridors in the north ensured the supply ability of ESs by connecting ecological sources, while 35 supply–demand corridors in the south alleviated the supply–demand mismatch of ESs. The targeted implementation of ecological governance based on the corridor types provides a new approach to coordinate the mismatch of ESs supply–demand and enhance ecological security. However, 63.38 km 2 of pinch points, recognized as high-flow areas within the corridors, primarily comprised fragmented landscapes, and barriers covering 99.67 km 2 obstructed corridor flow, notably surrounding the demand sources. These regions should be prioritized for ecological conservation. Overall, this research framework provides a reliable scientific basis for configuring spatial landscape patterns and developing ecological strategies in urban agglomerations.

Identification and characteristic analysis of semi-natural habitats in China's economically developed areas: New insights to inform cultivated land system ecological conservation

Identifying and characterizing semi-natural habitats (SNHs) are important to the ecological conservation of cultivated land systems and implementing China's ecological civilization strategy. This study revealed the concept and characteristics of SNHs in Chinese cultivated land systems regarding human activities, resource types, and spatial landscape patterns. The resource quantity, landscape quality, and spatial distribution of SNHs in Southern Jiangsu's cultivated land system were analyzed by constructing the identification model of “land use/land cover type-cultivated land use intensity-spatial landscape pattern”. The results showed that the area of SNHs in Southern Jiangsu's cultivated land system was 25.35%, significantly influenced by cultivated land intensification and expansion. The higher the cultivated land use intensity, the lower the quantity of SNHs, and the proportion of SNHs in the intensive-use pattern was only 2.97%. 68.18% of the SNHs in Southern Jiangsu were water, and habitats for important species, such as woodland, grassland, wetlands, and bare land, were scarce. A small patch area, high landscape fragmentation, poor landscape richness and diversity, and low connectivity accompanied increased cultivated land use intensity. From the extensive to intensive utilization, the spatial spread of SNHs from low-value aggregation to high-value scatter areas, with hotspot areas of cultivated land use intensity and SNHs existing only in a small part of Nanjing and Changzhou. This study provides a scientific reference for the rehabilitation and restoration of SNHs in the context of the ecological transformation of land use. It promotes the sustainable intensification of cultivated land systems. It also provides new ideas for linking ecological and urban spaces to form a stable and systematic national ecological safety network.

Effects of source-sink landscape proximity on the spatial–temporal water quality from the perspective of cost distance in an agricultural watershed

Spatial patterns of source-sink landscapes play a critical role in assessing surface water quality. However, this relation may be different due to various proximity of source-sink landscapes. The effect of the source-sink landscape proximity on surface water quality remains poorly understood. The impact of source-sink landscape proximity on the spatial–temporal water quality were quantified based on field monitoring data (2013–2019) in an agricultural watershed. A new approach considering the cost distance of landscape types, slope, and vegetation on the transformation of nutrients from one point to water bodies was used to construct different buffer zones which reflected very high, high, moderate, low, very low proximities, while the subwatershed represented the very low proximity. Then the effects of the source-sink landscape proximity were assessed based on sub-watershed and other four buffers. The resutls showed that the TN and NO3−-N were the main non-point source pollution indices with significant spatial variation (p < 0.05). The water quality index (WQI) was higher during the dry season than during the wet season, indicating that the sampling sites also experienced seasonal variations. The multi-scale analysis demonstrated the significance of the source-sink landscape proximity in improving the quality of surface water. A stronger correlation between the ratios of sink landscape and the main water quality parameters (the TN and NO3−-N) was observed in the low proximity zone, suggestiong that the low proximity zone with moderate non-point source pollution risk was a critical region in water quality management. The results provide important insights into understanding the effects of the source-sink landscape proximity on water quality and how scientific and effective measures can be made to improve water quality.

Exploring NDVI change patterns across the Tibetan Plateau at the hillslope scale using geomorphons

ABSTRACTWithin the Tibetan Plateau (TP), grassland degradation is of great concern, and there is a need to better understand the spatial variability and landscape patterns in grassland degradation across the TP. This study explores potential patterns in grassland degradation, estimated using Landsat-derived normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) growing season change products generated by a prior study. Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) digital terrain model (DTM)-derived geomorphons, topographic slope and the topographic position index (TPI) were used to explore grassland degradation and assess whether changes in growing season NDVI are associated with specific grasslands or landforms. An increase in NDVI within the TP was observed especially during the 1990 to 2018 and 2000 to 2018 time periods. Higher growing season median NDVI change values were found for the Southeast Tibet Shrublands and Meadows (SETSM) and TP Alpine Shrublands and Meadows (TPASM) grasslands in comparison to the other grassland types analysed, suggesting a more pronounced greening trend in the eastern portion of the plateau in comparison to the western portion. Small differences in NDVI change were observed for different geomorphon-based landforms, while topographic slope and TPI showed only modest correlations with NDVI change for all time periods and grassland types. More localized patterns of grassland degradation were masked by the widespread greening trends. Further analysis of only pixels that experienced a decreasing NDVI magnitude of less than or equal to −0.1 also generally suggested more change in the SETSM and TPASM. While this study generally supports the use of geomorphons as an analysis and aggregating unit for studying change patterns at the hillslope scale, more research is required to fully grasp the dynamics of landscape change at the hillslope scale in the TP.

Landscape Fragmentation and Spatial Autocorrelation of a Typical Watershed in the Wenchuan Earthquake-Affected Area—A Case Study in the Longxi River Basin

The 2008 8.0 Ms Wenchuan earthquake caused serious ecological degradation in the northwest of China’s Sichuan Province. Elucidating landscape fragmentation and spatial pattern of post-earthquake landscape is of great interest in order to improve ecological restoration and predict the spatial distribution of damaged ecosystems in earthquake-affected areas. We used four real-time remote sensing images to analyze the landscape pattern characteristics and spatial autocorrelation of the Longxi River Basin before and after the Wenchuan earthquake during the period from 2005 to 2015. In the study period, the degree of landscape fragmentation increased 1 year after the earthquake in 2009 but decreased in 2011 and 2015. The spatial distribution of forest, farmland, and shrub-grassland had significantly positive spatial correlation and the characteristics of spatial aggregation from 2005 to 2015. Construction land had no significant spatial correlation before the earthquake in 2005, but significantly positive spatial correlation after the earthquake, while traffic land had no significant spatial correlation across the study period. Unlike the other landscape types, geological disasters changed from a significantly negative spatial correlation before the earthquake to a significantly positive spatial correlation after the earthquake. However, the positive autocorrelation of all landscape types decreased with the increase of space distance, but in different distance-decay rates. The High-high spatial aggregation areas of geological disasters and construction land clustered gradually upstream of the basin and distributed in Longchi town, respectively; those of farmland distributed in the southeast of the basin increased in 2009 but then decreased, while those of forests had the opposite pattern as the dominant landscape type after the earthquake. Our results elucidated the spatial structure and distribution features of the Longxi River Basin to give a theoretical foundation for assessing the effects of ecological restoration and reconstruction management in earthquake-affected areas.

A study on the spatial and temporal dynamics of landscape spatial patterns of different types of rural communities in Taiwan

Climate change and urbanization are the main factors causing landscape changes not only in urban areas but also in rural communities. Rural communities have economic, cultural, social, and significant ecological value. Based on the background of environmental change, this study selects three main classes of rural communities in Taiwan as the research areas. Based on the remote sensing images from 2001 to 2020 and the survey of land use status, the land transfer matrix and landscape index method were used to analyze the landscape spatial pattern changes and driving forces of rural communities. The results revealed that (1) the land use changes of the four different types of rural communities have both common features. The growth of construction land and transportation land area is a common phenomenon, and the growth rate matches the type of rural community. Forest land or farmland is the main land cover. From the perspective of land transfer analysis, it is the mutual conversion and loss of agricultural land, forest land and other land. (2) There are differences in the landscape pattern changes of the three main classes of rural communities. The production community (Dalian) pattern is progressing steadily. The ecological community (Gangbian) pattern is progressing slowly. The process of living community pattern varies greatly, while the progress of village experience type (Shuangtan) pattern is slow. The comprehensive wealth type (Seshui) pattern is developing unevenly and at a fast pace. (3) The driving force of land use change mainly comes from the policy drive of the public sector, the spatial planning system, and community development activities. This study fills in the gaps in the development of landscape spatial patterns of different types of rural communities, and provides a reference for the formulation of regulations on the spatial planning system of rural communities in Taiwan.

Forest Fire Spread Hazard and Landscape Pattern Characteristics in the Mountainous District, Beijing

Objective: This study established an index system for assessing forest fire spread hazards and conducted a forest fire spread hazard assessment in the mountainous district of Beijing (including Fangshan, Mentougou, Changping, Yanqing, Huairou, Miyun, and Pinggu). The relationship between forested landscape spatial pattern and forest fire spread hazard was explored; this method provided the basis for the establishment of a landscape forest fire security guarantee system. Methods: The forest fire spread hazard assessment index system was constructed from four aspects: forest fuel, meteorological factors, topographic factors, and fire behavior. The weighted comprehensive evaluation method and area-weighted average method were used to calculate the forest fire spread hazard indices at the subcompartment scale and township scale. Moran’s I index was selected as the spatial autocorrelation index to analyze the autocorrelation degree and spatial distribution of the forest fire spread hazard index. Eleven representative landscape pattern indices were selected to analyze the main landscape spatial pattern affecting forest fire spread hazard by correlation analysis and principal component analysis. Results: (1) The areas with high, medium–high, medium-low, and low forest fire spread hazard grades accounted for 39.87%, 33.10%, 11.37%, and 15.66% of the study area, respectively, at the subcompartment scale and for 52.36%, 22.58%, 18.39%, and 6.67% of the study area, respectively, at the township scale. (2) The forest fire spread hazard index results obtained at the subcompartment and township scales in the Mountainous District of Beijing showed a spatial agglomeration distribution law. (3) The forest fire spread hazard was influenced mainly by landscape diversity (SHDI and PRD), landscape aggregation (AI, CONTAG, and PD), and landscape area (TA). Conclusions: The overall forest fire spread hazard in the mountainous district of Beijing showed a gradual increase from plains to mountainous areas. The land types of the high-spread hazard subcompartment mainly included general shrubbery and coniferous forestlands, and the dominant species in the high-spread hazard arbor forest subcompartment were mainly Platycladus orientalis, Pinus tabuliformis, and Quercus mongolica.

A Functional Zoning Method in Rural Landscape Based on High-Resolution Satellite Imagery

Mapping functional zones for rural landscapes is the foundational work for rural land use planning and plays a very important role in the economic development and resource management utilization of rural areas. However, the traditional manual delineation of functional zone boundaries empirically in rural areas is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and lacks the consideration of spatial landscape patterns. The emergence of high-resolution remote sensing imagery and image segmentation has facilitated the analysis of ground landscape information and patterns, but there is still a lack of functional zone boundary mapping methods applicable to rural landscapes. To address this, we propose a functional zoning method called multiscale merging of landscape contextual and shape characteristics with heterogeneity indices (M2LHI) for mapping geographic boundaries for rural landscapes based on high-resolution remote sensing imagery. The landscape contextual features were first constructed based on the geospatial distances of landscape types, and then, the dominance index and shape index were introduced to quantify the landscape heterogeneity by object-oriented image analysis. Then, the automated merging of adjacent landscape units based on the thresholds of the landscape heterogeneity indices was performed to map the initial zones. The final rural functional zones were defined based on the main function in the zone. The study was carried out in three typical rural landscapes (hilly countryside, flat countryside, and grassland countryside) located in Fujian, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, China, and the freely available Gaofen-2 (GF-2) satellite imagery was used as the data source. We compared the boundaries of mapped functional zones and reference functional zones, and the matching and inclusion ratios of the final functional zones mapped in each case were bigger than 78%, indicating that the M2LHI method has a high ability to map the functional spatial patterns. The overall accuracies of mapping functional zones with different functions were 95.9%, 89.0%, and 92.1% for the respective cases. The results demonstrated that the M2LHI method effectively quantifies landscape heterogeneity and accurately delineates functional zones with different landscape patterns. It can provide a scientific basis for rural planning and management and efficiently draw reasonable geographic boundaries for rural functional zones.

Driving spatial network connections in rural settlements: The role of e-commerce

In certain developing countries, the e-commerce industries of rural areas are subjected to clustering, which provides an entry point through which the following can be observed: the influence of information and communications technology and the digital economy on spatial connections in rural settlements. Hence, Zhejiang Province, China's leading rural e-commerce province, is selected as the study site. The spatial correlation between e-commerce and the spatial landscape pattern of rural settlements and their network connections is analysed. Moreover, with regard to the spatial network of rural settlements, the driving factors of e-commerce are explored. The research findings demonstrate that: (1) e-commerce cluster areas are primarily distributed where the in-degree is higher than the out-degree, and the betweenness centrality is also significant. (2) E-commerce fosters the expansion and integration of land use in rural settlements and enhances the spatial network connections between rural settlements. (3) In regional economies, e-commerce enhances the connectivity and resource circulation efficiency of spatial networks in rural settlements through scale effects, traffic and informatisation levels, and the logistics development environment. The aforementioned findings contribute to the enrichment of the policy toolbox for rural planning and spatial governance, and the exploration of the market potential of e-commerce development in rural areas.

Quantifying the relationship between urban blue-green landscape spatial pattern and carbon sequestration: A case study of Nanjing’s central city

Against the background of global warming, urban blue–green spaces (UBGS) are important carbon sequestration (CS) carriers that can reduce carbon emissions. However, previous studies on urban CS were mostly limited to urban green or blue spaces separately and lack a comprehensive consideration of the synergistic impact of UBGS on CS. In addition, research on the driving mechanism between urban blue–green spatial patterns (UBGSP) and CS has so far been insufficient. Therefore, in this study, we explored the correlation between UBGSP and CS, identified the affecting UBGSP factors, and proposed suggestions for planning design. We identified the UBGS of the central city of Nanjing based on Landsat-8, calculated the CS using the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford approach (CASA), and analyzed the relationship between the UBGSP and CS at both class and landscape levels by establishing sets of UBGSP indicators. At the class level, the percentage of landscape and aggregation index have positive effects on CS, whereas the landscape division and shape indexes have negative effects. Moreover, edge density and area-weighted patch fractal dimension do not correlate with CS. At the landscape level, connectance can promote the CS of UBGS. Finally, we found that the largest patch index, edge density, Shannon’s evenness index, patch cohesion index, and contagion have no significant effects. The results of this study contribute to the systematic optimization of UBGSPs, promote the integrated development of UBGSs, and provide references for urban planning practices and resource management.

Soil-Water Comprehensive Treatment Theory of Urban Fringe

Urban fringe is an active expanding belt, the environment of the urban fringe is complex and frangible. Previous studies have focused on the landscape spatial pattern changes, the spatial-temporal variability of soil pollutants and the land management and policy issues, etc., but it is lack of the theory and practice study of land &amp; water comprehensive remediation in urban fringe areas. This article is taking the Shichuan River as an example. And establish a new concept of comprehensive remediation with soil purification as the key, and with water treatment as the link, meanwhile it will keep clear water with pure land. Form land organic rearrangement theory for different types of land utilization.