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Enhancing urban ecological connectivity through small stepping stones: A solution for inequitable geographical
Yiwen Han1, Yijing Ren1, Min Wan1
1School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China; Hubei Engineering and Technology Research Center of Urbanization, Wuhan, 430074, China.
Abstract:
Ecological networks (ENs) are essential for maintaining biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem connectivity, and supporting sustainable development. However, cities with an inequitable geographical distribution of blue-green spaces (IGDBGS) pose significant challenges to building ENs due to the lack of regional ecological sources. Therefore, our study offers a novel perspective by focusing on an urban landscape pattern characterized by IGDBGS, using Xiangyang City as a case study. We used ecological sensitivity analysis, ecosystem service assessment, Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA), landscape connectivity evaluation, and the Circuit theory model to identify ecological sources, optimize ENs, and incorporate stepping stones to improve ecological efficiency. The results demonstrated that: (1) A total of 35 ecological sources were identified, showing an inequitable geographic distribution; (2) 24 stepping stones were identified at potential ecological corridor breakpoints and barrier points; (3) The number of optimal ecological corridors increased from 73 to 121, with the maximum and average values of "current density value" rising from 11.56 A to 0.29 A (before optimization) to 15.17 A and 0.44 A (after optimization), respectively. Our research highlights the critical importance of optimizing ENs by identifying small stepping stones to improve ecological connectivity in cities with IGDBGS patterns. The findings offer evidence for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem stability while providing insights for ecological restoration strategies in similar cities.
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