Ecological Network Construction Based on Ecosystem Services and Landscape Pattern Indices in the Tabu River Basin

Weichen Zhang, Yuyang Fan and Bojie Wang ()
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Weichen Zhang: Collaborative Innovation Center for Grassland Ecological Security, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Yuyang Fan: Collaborative Innovation Center for Grassland Ecological Security, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China
Bojie Wang: Collaborative Innovation Center for Grassland Ecological Security, School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 12, 1-15

Abstract: Unsustainable human activities threaten the ecological security of arid and semi-arid watersheds. However, improving the connectivity of ecological networks can enhance ecosystem services and preserve biodiversity in these fragile environments. In this study, we aimed to identify ecological sources of the Tabu River Basin by quantifying five key ecosystem services and using a morphological spatial pattern analysis model. We further optimized resistance surfaces using landscape pattern indices, constructed an ecological network, and provided recommendations for sustainable management. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Ecosystem services in the Tabu River Basin exhibit clear spatial heterogeneity, with significant increases in water yield, food supply, and carbon sequestration over the past two decades. (2) Landscape pattern indices, such as the aggregation index, patch cohesion index, and Shannon’s diversity index, showed declines, indicating heightened landscape fragmentation and reduced connectivity. (3) Over the study period, the number of ecological sources increased from 6 to 17, although the total area of these sources decreased. The number of corridors expanded from 9 to 36, with a total length increase of 362.47 km, whereas pinch points increased from 27 to 40. (4) After optimization, one additional corridor and 24 new pinch points were identified, alongside a marked reduction in resistance in the northern and central-western regions. These results provide a robust scientific basis for optimizing land-use planning and reinforcing ecological security in the Tabu River Basin.

Keywords: ecosystem services; ecological network; landscape pattern indices; resistance surface optimization; biodiversity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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