Establishing an ecological security pattern for urban agglomeration, taking ecosystem services and human interference...

Area of Science:

• Landscape ecology
• Ecological security patterns
• Urban agglomeration studies

Background:

• Ecological security pattern assessment often overlooks ecosystem services and human activities.
• A comprehensive approach is needed for effective landscape management in urbanized regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel framework for assessing ecological security patterns by integrating ecosystem services and human disturbance.
• To identify critical ecological sources and corridors within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration.
• To provide scientific guidance for ecological protection and urban planning in the study area.

Main Methods:

• Ecological services were used to identify and classify ecological sources.
• Three human disturbance factors (soil erosion, geological hazards, night lighting) were quantified.
• A modified resistance surface incorporating disturbance factors was used to identify ecological corridors.

Main Results:

• Ecological sources (water production, soil conservation, carbon fixation, recreation) were mapped, with distinct spatial distributions.
• Modification of resistance surfaces significantly altered ecological corridor identification, particularly in key urban areas.
• The refined method improved the accuracy and relevance of identified ecological corridors.

Conclusions:

• Integrating ecosystem services and human disturbance provides a more robust assessment of ecological security patterns.
• The identified ecological corridors offer crucial insights for targeted conservation efforts.
• This research framework supports sustainable urban development and ecological resilience in large urban agglomerations.