The impact of LUCC on the spatial pattern of ecological network during urbanization: A case study of Jinan City

• Published in: Ecological indicators 2023-11, Vol.155, p.111004, Article 111004
• Main Authors: Wang, Chen, Wang, Qi, Liu, Na, Sun, Yingjun, Guo, Han, Song, Xianfeng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ecological network; Geodetector; Jinan City; Land use/cover; Urbanization development
• ISSN: 1470-160X; 1872-7034
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111004

•Simulated spatio-temporal evolution of ecological networks in urbanization.•Proposed a model to characterize changes in ecological network elements.•Unveiled how land use changes impact urban ecological networks' spatial patterns.•Discovered 'pseudo' ecological improvement during ecological construction. Urbanization, driven by rapid economic growth, has resulted in dramatic land use/cover change (LUCC), posing substantial risks to urban ecological security. While constructing ecological networks is a productive strategy for achieving a balance between ecological protection and urbanization, the limited research conducted on the impacts of LUCC on the spatial patterns of ecological networks during urbanization poses a hindrance to the scientific construction of ecological networks. Therefore, this study focuses on Jinan City, an important city situated in the downstream region of the Yellow River Basin, China. The study utilized simulation approaches, including MSPA, MCR, InVEST model and gravity model, to investigate and analyze the ecological networks of Jinan City from 2000 to 2020. A set of patterns capturing the changes in ecological network elements was proposed to explore the evolutionary characteristics of the spatial pattern of ecological networks. Finally, Geodetector was utilized to investigate the impact mechanism of LUCC on the spatial pattern of ecological networks. The study findings indicate that: (1) During the last two decades, the urban development in Jinan City has witnessed an expansion of approximately 588.83 km2, and the proportion of ecological land has also increased, but the overall structure and spatial distribution of construction and ecological land are not balanced. (2) Despite the expansion of ecological areas, the escalation of ecological resistance has resulted in significant degradation of the functional capacity of ecological corridors, with a decrease of 8.37 % in the number of primary corridors. The reduced spatial connectivity of the ecological networks has impeded the efficient cycling of ecological processes between ecosystems. (3) The complex interactions and cumulative effects of LUCC during urbanization led to the evolution of the spatial pattern of ecological networks. The transformation of cropland and construction into ecological land has improved the composition elements of the ecological network, while the encroachment on ecological land and disorderly changes in internal types are the principal factors caus