Linking Ecological Networks and Ecosystem Service Flow: Toward Regional Ecological Conservation and Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

In the context of accelerating global climate change, habitat fragmentation, and biodiversity loss, the integration of spatial ecological structure and ecological functions has become a critical direction in land system science, and ecological networks are employed to maintain habitat connectivity and support species migration, while ecosystem service flows describe the dynamic processes by which ecosystems benefit people and other species across space and time. However, researchers have yet to fully integrate these concepts to develop practical solutions for fragmented landscapes and, therefore, understanding how ecosystems are spatially connected and how ecological functions are transferred across landscapes is increasingly recognized as critical for addressing biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and fragmented land systems.

In terms of contributions to this Special Issue, we are interested in submissions that link ecosystem service flow to ecological networks, ecological security patterns, and ecological restoration. We welcome both empirical studies and conceptual or theoretical explorations that investigate the spatial processes, functional linkages, and planning implications involved in such integration including, but not limited to, the following topics:

• Ecological network theories and methods;
• Ecosystem service flow;
• Ecological restoration effects on ecological networks;
• Ecological security patterns;
• Landscape ecology principles;
• Climate change effects on ecosystem services;
• Landscape connectivity;
• Land use change on ecosystem services;
• Ecosystem service supply and demand;
• Ecosystem services and human well-being;
• Habitat modelling and conservation;
• Regional sustainability.

We look forward to receiving your original research articles and reviews.

Prof. Dr. Shiliang Liu
Prof. Dr. Jinyan Zhan
Guest Editors

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