Construction, Evaluation, and Optimization of a Regional Ecological Security Pattern Based on MSPA–Circuit Theory Approach

Chunguang Hu, Zhiyong Wang (), Gaoliu Huang and Yichen Ding
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Chunguang Hu: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Zhiyong Wang: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Gaoliu Huang: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China
Yichen Ding: School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-22

Abstract: Ecological security is crucial for regional sustainable development; however, as modern urbanization highlights ecological security challenges, major challenges have arisen. In this paper, we take the ecological region around Taihu Lake, China, as a typical research site, extract important ecological sources and key nodes using morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and circuit theory, and propose a regulatory framework for the ecological security pattern (ESP) of the ecological region based on the spatial characteristics of sources, corridors, and nodes. We obtained the following results: (1) The ESP includes 20 ecological sources, 37 ecological corridors, 36 critical ecological protection nodes, and 24 key ecological restoration nodes. (2) Most ecological sources are large and concentrated in western Zhejiang and west of Taihu Lake, which are both important ecological sources and ecological resistance surfaces. (3) The ecological corridors spread east, west, and south from Taihu Lake, with high network connectivity. (4) Shanghai serves as the central node, with the Su-Xi-Chang town cluster and the Qiantang River town cluster serving as the extension axes for the ecological resistance hot-spot area. The center of the elliptical ecological resistance surface (standard deviation) lies in Suzhou City, located on the east shore of Taihu Lake. (5) Ecological nodes were mostly located in ecological corridors or junctions. A “four zones and one belt” pattern is suggested in order to make the land around Taihu Lake more connected and stable ecologically. This study can be used as a guide for building and improving an ecological safety network.

Keywords: morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA); circuit theory; ecological security pattern (ESP); Taihu Lake Basin; construction–evaluation–optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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