Habitat Quality Assessment Based on Ecological Network Construction: A Case Study of Eremias multiocellata in Xinjiang, China

Zhengyu Li, Junzhe Zhang, Jinhu Hai, Wenhan Chen, Chunhua Hai, Zhenkun Pang, Haifan Yan, Luoxue Jiang, Wei Zhao () and You Li ()
Additional contact information
Zhengyu Li: College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China
Junzhe Zhang: College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China
Jinhu Hai: College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China
Wenhan Chen: College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China
Chunhua Hai: College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China
Zhenkun Pang: College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China
Haifan Yan: College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China
Luoxue Jiang: College of Food and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ziyang College of Environmental Science and Technology, Ziyang 618400, China
Wei Zhao: Gansu Key Laboratory of Biomonitoring and Bioremediation for Environmental Pollution, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730030, China
You Li: College of Life Science and Engineering, Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou 730030, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-26

Abstract: Habitat fragmentation represents a significant threat to biodiversity, particularly the survival of wild species. Constructing and optimizing ecological networks are critical for promoting sustainable biodiversity, especially in the conservation of unmanaged wildlife. To address this, this study focused on designing and optimizing an ecological network tailored to the preservation of the Xinjiang desert lacertid lizard ( Eremias multiocellata ). This study integrated a dual-model approach, applying the InVEST model for habitat quality assessment and the MaxEnt model for suitable habitat prediction. An overlay analysis identified 15 core ecological source areas spanning 126,044 km 2 , primarily located in the desert–grassland transition zones of the central and western study areas. A total of 34 ecological corridors were established utilizing the minimum cumulative resistance model, totaling 3764 km in length. These include 11 long corridors, 17 short corridors, and 6 potential corridors. Additionally, 100 strategic points were identified: 41 pinch points, 38 barrier points, and 21 stepping stones. This study identifies priority areas and obstacles affecting the ecological connectivity of the species’ habitats and highlights the importance of small habitat patches for long-term species dispersal and habitat expansion, providing more comprehensive guidance for sustainable development and species conservation. Furthermore, the methodology provides valuable insights into biodiversity conservation and the optimization of the natural habitat spatial layout in desert ecosystems, along with novel methods for managing and conserving other unmonitored animal species in various ecosystems.

Keywords: ecological network; InVEST model; MaxEnt model; Eremias multiocellata (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/17/7764/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/17/7764/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:17:p:7764-:d:1736743

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().