Construction, Evaluation, and Optimization of a Regional Ecological Security Pattern Based on MSPA-Circuit Theory...

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Environmental Science
• Urban Planning

Background:

• Urbanization poses significant challenges to regional ecological security.
• Maintaining ecological security is vital for sustainable development.
• The Taihu Lake region faces increasing ecological pressures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct an ecological security pattern (ESP) for the Taihu Lake region.
• To identify critical ecological sources, corridors, and nodes.
• To propose a regulatory framework for enhancing ecological security.

Main Methods:

• Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) was used to identify ecological sources and key nodes.
• Circuit theory was applied to analyze spatial characteristics and connectivity.
• A regulatory framework was developed based on the identified ESP components.

Main Results:

• The ESP comprises 20 ecological sources, 37 corridors, 36 protection nodes, and 24 restoration nodes.
• Ecological sources are concentrated in western Zhejiang and west of Taihu Lake.
• Ecological corridors exhibit high network connectivity, spreading from Taihu Lake.
• Shanghai acts as a central node, with specific town clusters extending ecological resistance hot spots.
• Ecological nodes are predominantly located within corridors or at junctions.

Conclusions:

• A "four zones and one belt" pattern is proposed for improved ecological connectivity and stability around Taihu Lake.
• The identified ESP provides a guide for establishing and improving ecological safety networks.
• This research offers a spatial planning approach for ecological security in rapidly urbanizing areas.