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

• Published in: Ecological indicators 2024-08, Vol.165, p.112217, Article 112217
• Main Authors: Jiang, Jiawen, Cai, Jianwu, Peng, Rui, Li, Penghan, Chen, Weirong, Xia, Yining, Deng, Jinsong, Zhang, Qiuyi, Yu, Zhoulu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Circuit Theory; Ecological City (eco-city); Ecological Regulation Service Value (ERSV); Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR); Urban Ecological Network
• ISSN: 1470-160X; 1872-7034
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112217

•ERSV based on the GEP assessment was used to identify ecological sources.•Established and optimized an ecological network based on combined methods.•Optimized ecological network from overall layout and local key areas.•Multi-morphic patches were utilized to balance the livability and biodiversity in eco-city. 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.