An Integrated Model for Constructing Urban Ecological Networks and Identifying the Ecological Protection Priority: A Case Study of Wujiang District, Suzhou

Liyu Pan, Wenquan Gan (), Jinliu Chen and Kunlun Ren
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Liyu Pan: Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119077, Singapore
Wenquan Gan: School of Design, Xi’an-Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
Jinliu Chen: School of Design, Xi’an-Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
Kunlun Ren: School of Design, Xi’an-Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 5, 1-21

Abstract: As a result of the rapid urbanisation in China, the ecological system in urban areas has become fragmented, posing a threat to ecological stability. Constructing ecological networks is considered a critical strategy to reconnect habitats, restore ecosystems and improve ecological capacity. This research aims to develop a GIS-based model that can inform urban ecological network construction and identify the priority areas for ecological protection in a given urban context. The methodological prototype considers land use, habitat conditions and human interventions from an integrated perspective and has been tested based on a case study in Wujiang District, Suzhou. The results show that (i) 30 critical ecological patches were identified, including 2 vital, 4 important and 24 general cores; (ii) 69 ecological corridors, including 15 vital, 36 important and 18 general corridors, 59 ecological nodes and 24 barriers were determined. Based on these results, this research identified priority restoration and protected areas that urgently require the restoration of ecological networks according to their importance. This research proposes further recommendations on management strategies for construction and protection guidance at macro and micro levels in accordance with existing territorial and spatial planning of Wujiang. The model developed in this research provides a scientific methodology for planning and optimising ecological networks and can serve as a basis for realising ecological protection.

Keywords: ecological networks; ecological restoration; morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA); ecological corridors; habitat isolation; landscape fragmentation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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