Optimization of the Loess Plateau of the China Ecological Network Pattern Based on a PLUS Model

Xiaoyan Luo, Xun Luo (), Xianhua Yang, Jian Wang, Jialing Liao, Yu He, Ye Du and Ye Yang
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Xiaoyan Luo: College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Xun Luo: Sichuan Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Center, Chengdu 610045, China
Xianhua Yang: Sichuan Province Geological Data Center, Chengdu 610031, China
Jian Wang: College of Geography and Planning, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Jialing Liao: Sichuan Environmental Engineering Assessment Center, Chengdu 610041, China
Yu He: Sichuan Environmental Engineering Assessment Center, Chengdu 610041, China
Ye Du: Sichuan Environmental Engineering Assessment Center, Chengdu 610041, China
Ye Yang: Sichuan Environmental Engineering Assessment Center, Chengdu 610041, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 7, 1-21

Abstract: Optimizing the ecological network is an urgent need to enhance the stability of the ecosystem and maintain regional ecological security. We utilized the PLUS (Patch-generating Land Use Simulation) model to simulate the land use patterns of the Loess Plateau of China under four different development scenarios in 2030, constructed the corresponding ecological network, and evaluated the network structure. The results indicate the following: (1) By 2030, the spatial pattern of ecological network under the four scenarios will be concentrated in the east and west, in the north and south, and the middle of the Loess Plateau. (2) The change of land use pattern driven by a single policy has a trade-off effect on the ecological network and is prone to form the phenomenon of “ecological increase–functional lag”. (3) The regional ecological network layout of “four cores, multiple corridors and multiple sources” was proposed. The results reveal the development trends of land-use change and ecological protection construction under different future development scenarios in the Loess Plateau, which is helpful for decision-makers to balance the relationship between ecological protection and economic development and realize regional sustainable development.

Keywords: PLUS model; land use pattern; ecological network; complex network theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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