The Construction of a Regional Ecological Security Pattern Based on Circuit Theory

Abstract

The construction of an ecological security pattern (ESP) is one of the basic methods to protect regional ecological security and enhance people’s well-being. In the case of Anhui province, located in the Yangtze River Delta region of China, regional ecological sources were assessed and recognized in terms of ecosystem services, and regional ESP was then constructed based on circuit theory. Current density was applied to analyze the significance of patches and corridors and recognize sticking points, and thereby strategies were introduced to optimize regional ESP. Results of ecosystem services function assessment showed that there were 47 ecological patches, 107 ecological corridors, 16 pinch points, and six sticking points in the ESP of Anhui province. The watershed of the Yangtze and Huai rivers divides the ESP of the northern and southern Anhui, which has huge landscape spatial heterogeneity. Areas with relatively good ecological resources were basically located between Dabie Mountain area in the west and the low hilly area in the south of Anhui, with mostly woodland and farmland as ecological sources. However, cities in the northern Anhui, also in the north of the watershed of the Yangtze and Huai rivers, face severe situations in terms of environmental protection. This study conducted spatial analyses on ESP with different thresholds and proposed to classify different ESPs according to ecological control. This helps to alleviate the contradiction between economic development and environmental protection, and improve the supply capacity of regional ecosystem services, in order to satisfy the regional demand for ecosystem services. Meanwhile, this study offers more methods to construct regional ESP and introduces targeted measures to improve connectivity, which is of practical guidance for the connectivity and optimization of ecological patterns.

Simulating Urban Growth Scenarios Based on Ecological Security Pattern: A Case Study in Quanzhou, China

“…In recent decades, the rapid development of urbanization has induced a series of environmental problems including the overconsumption of natural resources, environmental degradation, air pollution, and soil erosion [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. These environmental problems, in return, intensify the risk of natural disasters and jeopardize human well-being in a wide variety of aspects from health and safety to living standards [ 5 , 6 ]. Sustainable development entails a stable eco-environment and vibrant ecosystem service [ 4 , 7 ].…”

“…On account of the importance of ecological security, a growing body of literature on identifying ecological security patterns (ESPs) has emerged. To date, press-state-response (PSR) theory and circuit theory are the two conceptual frameworks most applied in extant literature [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 8 , 12 , 18 , 19 ]. Grounded in RSP theory, researchers first identify the pressure indicators allied with pressure-bearing indicators, then apply mathematical modeling and landscape ecology methods such as the artificial neural network model, entropy matter–element model, and grey model to calculate the weight of each indicator’s influence and integrate the weighted indicators to identify the ESP [ 8 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

“…Grounded in RSP theory, researchers first identify the pressure indicators allied with pressure-bearing indicators, then apply mathematical modeling and landscape ecology methods such as the artificial neural network model, entropy matter–element model, and grey model to calculate the weight of each indicator’s influence and integrate the weighted indicators to identify the ESP [ 8 , 18 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. With respect to the studies based on circuit theory, researchers mainly follow the “ecological sources–ecological corridors–ecological nodes–ecological security pattern” paradigm, in which a series of ecological and spatial analytical approaches such as resistance surface construction, overlay analysis, and network analysis could be applied to achieve the construction of ESP [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 10 , 19 ].…”

“…Despite a fruitful line of research in analyzing ESP, there seems to be a lack of ESP application, particularly in incorporating ESP into urban growth simulation [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 23 , 24 , 25 ]. On one hand, most ESP-related studies have focused on ESP identification and construction.…”

“…As a matter of fact, it is evident that ESP covers a much larger extent than the conservation area [ 10 , 11 ]. In light of the importance of ESP in achieving sustainable development [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ], there is a compelling need to incorporate ESP in urban growth simulation. It follows that if we, as a society, call for more eco-friendly and sustainable urban development, then ESP is required in simulating urban growth as a key facet in better informing planners and policymakers in landscape design and urban planning.…”