Search Results (270)

Balancing tourism development with ecological integrity remains a central challenge in the management of protected areas. This study proposes a spatial framework that integrates the Outdoor Recreation Suitability Index (ORSI) and the Landscape Ecological Risk Index (ERI) to identify and optimize low-impact recreation corridors within Giant Panda National Park, China. Recreation suitability and ecological risk were modeled using environmental variables and landscape metrics, respectively. The results reveal a clear spatial pattern: high-suitability zones are concentrated in the central and northeastern areas, characterized by gentle terrain and extensive forest cover, while ecological risk is elevated in fragmented, human-disturbed peripheral regions. Although ORSI and ERI exhibit an overall negative spatial correlation, bivariate analysis reveals localized mismatches—areas where high recreation potential coincides with ecological vulnerability—indicating potential conflict zones. These zones are typically located along transitional park boundaries where accessibility intersects with ecological sensitivity. To mitigate such conflicts, a least-cost path analysis was conducted based on a composite resistance surface combining ORSI and inverted ERI values. The resulting corridor network connects 40 core areas while effectively avoiding ecological hotspots. Corridor buffers are predominantly composed of forest and shrubland, suggesting high environmental compatibility, particularly in the Qinling region. By translating spatial trade-offs into practical corridor design, this study provides a replicable approach for harmonizing recreation planning with conservation objectives. The proposed framework offers actionable guidance for evidence-based zoning, visitor flow management, and adaptive tourism development in ecologically sensitive protected landscapes. Full article

Aboveground biomass (AGB) is a key indicator of vegetation productivity and terrestrial carbon stocks; therefore, robust AGB estimation is critical for assessing ecosystem services and carbon cycle research. Previous studies have largely focused on forest and cropland ecosystems. In contrast, roadside vegetation along highways and other linear transport corridors remains comparatively underexplored despite its potentially important role as a carbon sink. Here, we integrate field-measured AGB samples with GF-2 high-resolution satellite imagery to evaluate the suitability of multiple remote-sensing predictors and machine-learning algorithms for estimating AGB in highway roadside vegetation. Six remote-sensing variables were used as predictors, including four vegetation indices (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Perpendicular Vegetation Index (PVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), and Modified Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (MSAVI) and two-band ratios (B342 and B12/34). Five regression models—multiple linear regression (MLR), partial least squares regression (PLSR), random forest (RF), support vector regression (SVR), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost)—were developed and systematically compared under both single-variable and multi-variable scenarios. Model performance was evaluated using five-fold cross-validation, with the coefficient of determination (R²) and the root mean square error (RMSE) as metrics of evaluation. The results indicate that the RF model under the multi-variable scenario achieved the best overall performance, with a training R² of 0.83 and a testing RMSE of 0.84 kg·m⁻², substantially outperforming the other linear and non-linear models. The optimal RF model was further applied to GF-2 imagery to produce a spatially explicit AGB map for a 32 km highway segment and a 30 m roadside buffer on both sides, yielding an estimated total aboveground biomass of 566.97 t for the corridor. These findings demonstrate that combining high-resolution remote sensing with machine-learning approaches can effectively improve AGB estimation for linear roadside vegetation systems, providing technical support for ecological monitoring, roadside greening management, and carbon accounting for transport infrastructure. Full article

As one of the most important transportation corridors in China, the long-term operation of the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway may lead to the fragmentation and fragility of the ecological pattern and an imbalance between the supply and demand of ecosystem services in the provinces along the line, thereby affecting ecological security. How to construct and optimize the ecological security pattern to address these issues is a challenging problem in the territorial spatial planning of the provinces along the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. Complex networks serve as the primary approach for constructing ecological security frameworks, and the SOM model can objectively extract ecological source areas from the perspective of ecosystem service functional dimension. Therefore, this study combines the SOM model with complex network analysis methods to construct and optimize the ecological security pattern across seven provinces along the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway. The results show that, except for carbon sequestration, the other five types of ecosystem services (habitat quality, soil conservation, water purification, water production, and NPP) in the study area exhibit significant spatial heterogeneity. The ecological network constructed in this study identified 335 source areas and extracted 334 ecological corridors. A comparative study of three edge addition schemes shows that the edge addition strategy based on betweenness centrality has the best optimization effect, adding 93 new corridors to the original ecological network. The ecological security pattern constructed in this study provides an important reference for territorial spatial planning and for constructing forestry and grassland ecological restoration projects in the seven provinces along the Beijing–Shanghai High-Speed Railway, thereby contributing to the region’s ecological sustainable development. Full article

Rapid urban expansion poses growing challenges for balancing carbon emissions (CE), economic development, and ecological protection, particularly in coastal urban agglomerations. Although optimization–simulation approaches have been widely applied, explicit consideration of low-carbon objectives remains limited. To address this gap, this study proposes an integrated non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm III (NSGA-III)–patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) framework that combines multi-objective optimization with spatially explicit land-use simulation. Using multi-temporal land-use datasets (2000–2020) from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), this research examined spatiotemporal land-use transitions and their co-evolution with CE, ecosystem services value (ESV), and GDP under five development scenarios. The results show that construction land expanded by 78% from 2000 to 2020, largely through cropland conversion, which pushed CE upward to 335.4 Mt. For 2030, the Low Carbon Emission scenario reduces CE by 11.8 Mt compared with the natural development scenario. The Balanced Development scenario maintains economic growth while limiting CE increases and stabilizing ESV. Spatially, scenario differences are limited in extent. Over 93% of areas remain unchanged, and variations are mainly concentrated in peri-urban corridors around the Guangzhou–Foshan core. Overall, the NSGA-III–PLUS framework provides a structured approach for coordinating carbon mitigation and land-use planning in rapidly urbanizing coastal areas. Full article

Exploring the spatial patterns and associated mechanisms of Rural Tourism Demonstration Villages (RTDVs) and Potential Rural Tourism Villages (PRTVs) is crucial for rural tourism planning and regional coordination. This study focuses on the arid region of Northwest China. Based on national and provincial official directories, it selects villages listed under tourism-oriented categories as RTDVs, while designating other villages categorized for their ecological, cultural, and agricultural characteristics as PRTVs. Multiple geospatial analyses were conducted to identify spatial distribution characteristics and differences between RTDVs and PRTVs, while the optimal-parameter geographical detector model quantified the influences and interactions of natural, socioeconomic, locational, and cultural–tourism factors. Results show that rural tourism is concentrated in the Ili River Valley, the mid-Hexi Corridor, and the Urumqi–Turpan area. RTDVs follow this pattern but display stronger hierarchical differentiation. Cultural Potential Rural Tourism Villages (C-PRTVs) cluster in multi-ethnic areas. Ecological Potential Rural Tourism Villages (E-PRTVs) occur mainly in mountain oases, and agricultural Potential Rural Tourism Villages (A-PRTVs) agglomerate near provincial capitals and major transport corridors. Overall, influencing factors exhibit interactive enhancement, suggesting that spatial patterns are associated with multidimensional synergy. The findings provide empirical support for differentiated planning and sustainable development in arid regions. Full article

The construction of high-speed railways (HSRs) is the core engine for promoting the economic integration and spatial structure optimization of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Changes in land use along HSR corridors are inextricably linked to the efficacy of regional coordinated development and ecological protection initiatives, as well as the realization of regional sustainable development. Nevertheless, past relevant studies exhibit prominent limitations. First, the lack of effective methodologies for the intuitive comparison of multiple research subjects makes it difficult to accurately portray the differential characteristics of land use across various HSR routes. Second, the insufficient comprehensive analysis of the dynamic evolution of landscape patterns along routes, coupled with the absence of intuitive spatial visualization expressions, fails to explicitly reveal the spatiotemporal differentiation of landscape fragmentation, which hinders sustainable land resource utilization and ecological protection. To address these gaps, this study introduces the intensity comparison map and the comprehensive index map of landscape fragmentation and takes six typical HSRs in the GBA to conduct an intuitive comparative analysis of land use changes along multiple routes. Results show that land use evolution along HSRs presents distinct phased characteristics, with construction land acting as the core driving factor. Its proportion increases continuously, while the proportions of cultivated land and water bodies decline dramatically. Significant disparities exist in land use evolution across different HSR routes, which are closely associated with the natural and economic conditions of the traversed regions, reflecting the heterogeneous adaptability between individual routes and regional development dynamics. High landscape fragmentation areas are predominantly distributed in the transition zones between construction land and natural landscapes; fragmentation intensifies during the planning and construction phases and stabilizes or even diminishes along certain routes during the operation phase, with human activities identified as the pivotal influencing factor. This research deepens the understanding of the interaction mechanism between transportation infrastructure and land use changes in the GBA and provides a scientific basis for sustainable HSR construction planning, the rational utilization of land resources, and the coordinated advancement of ecological protection in the GBA and other similar regions worldwide, thus facilitating the sustainable development of high-density urban agglomerations globally. Full article

Arid ecological transition zones are highly sensitive to climate change and human activities, but land use optimization strategies for them often lack policy-oriented quantitative analysis. This study uses the Hexi Corridor in China as a case study, integrating multi-level policy planning indicators with the PLUS model to construct four scenarios: natural changes, economic growth, ecological protection, and planning-constrained development. This approach enhances policy compatibility (Kappa = 0.86). The study analyzes land use changes from 2000 to 2020 and simulates changes for 2030, with a focus on their impact on ecosystem service value (ESV). Key findings include the following: (1) Between 2000 and 2020, unused land and grassland dominated the area, with construction land expanding by 164.73%. (2) The planning-constrained development scenario maximized ESV (CNY 220.46 billion, up 7.7% from 2020), while controlling construction land growth (+30.11%). (3) Hydrological and climate regulation are the primary contributors to ESV, with the expansion of water areas by 113,032.60 hectares under ecological protection showing the effectiveness of policy intervention. Innovations in this study include the proposal of a “policy–model” coupling framework, offering actionable guidance for ecological protection and economic development in arid regions. Full article

Long-term ecological monitoring is essential for sustainable management in fragile regions. This study assessed four decades (1986–2024) of ecological evolution in the Ji River Basin—a 1276.64 km² transitional loess–gully ecosystem in China’s Yellow River Basin—using the Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI). We integrated multi-temporal Landsat images via Google Earth Engine to construct a 40-year RSEI time series. The index couples greenness (NDVI), wetness (WET), heat (LST), and dryness (NDBSI) through principal component analysis, with PC1 explaining > 82% of the variance. Three evolutionary phases were identified: initial degradation (1986–1996), driven by slope cropland expansion; stabilization (1996–2006), coinciding with early ‘Grain for Green’ policies; and sustained recovery (2006–2024), characterized by the expansion of high-quality zones. We developed a novel resilience zoning framework integrating local spatial consistency, terrain constraints, and functional state (mean RSEI 2016–2024), which delineated three zones: high-resilience refugia (19.37%), moderate-resilience matrix (75.54%), and low-resilience corridors (5.09%). Mid-slope positions (TPI: 1.220–1.510) within moderate-resilience zones demonstrated optimal restoration efficiency, challenging conventional uniform approaches. The findings advocate spatially differentiated strategies—investing in transitional zones, retrofitting degraded corridors, and monitoring stable refugia—to advance the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 15 in semi-arid regions globally. Full article

To support carbon stock assessment and ecological restoration under the “Carbon Neutrality” objective, this paper developed a high-precision vegetation biomass model for expressway corridors in Shanxi Province, China, by integrating Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technology and the random forest algorithm. Based on climatic zoning and DEM data, 70 sample plots representing diverse vegetation and topography were selected. LiDAR point clouds and multispectral data were spatially connected using the BallTree algorithm, achieving an average matching rate of 73.98–82.01%. A joint biomass model incorporating tree height and crown width was constructed with spatial cross-validation. The results indicate that the model substantially outperformed single-factor models, with R² values ranging from 0.839 to 0.934 (highest in the Hengshan–Wutaishan forest area). Accuracy was higher in forest-dominated zones but lower in areas with significant human disturbance. A representative sample library was established for model optimization. This paper provides a robust technical framework for biomass monitoring across comparable Northern Hemisphere latitudes, thereby supporting sustainable green transport development. Full article

Mineral resource extraction and urban expansion in resource-based cities have progressively degraded regional ecosystems, leading to increasingly fragmented ecological patterns. Ecological network resilience plays a critical role in maintaining regional ecological stability. In this study, we integrated landscape ecology and systems science to develop a network model and assess the resilience of ecological networks in the coal mining subsidence area with high groundwater levels. This study employed morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and circuit theory to construct the ecological network. A cascading failure model was further applied to simulate network dynamics under three attack strategies. Based on a comparative analysis of these strategies, we introduce the concept of “dangerous nodes” to identify priority conservation areas. The research results show that 101 ecological source areas and 255 ecological corridors were identified in the study area. Topologically, its ecological network is characterized by a small number of core nodes and a large number of secondary nodes. When the adjustable parameter is $\alpha <1.2$, targeting low-degree nodes may inflict more severe damage on the network. When $\alpha >1.2$, attacks against nodes with a high-degree or high betweenness centrality may have significant cascading failure implications. Our results show that the network’s critical threshold $T_c$ depends on the number of dangerous nodes in the attack set. The distribution of these nodes differs substantially between low-degree attacks and those targeting high-degree or high betweenness centrality nodes. These findings advance ecological network optimization and provide practical guidance for ecosystem conservation and restoration in resource-based cities. Full article

Given that Acer sutchuenense Franch., an endangered maple endemic to China, severely threatened by habitat degradation and climate fluctuations, understanding its spatiotemporal dynamics is crucial for formulating conservation strategies. Herein, climatic, topographic and soil variables were employed to simulate historical, present, and future distribution patterns of A. sutchuenense using the optimized MaxEnt model. Our results indicated that Mean Temperature of Driest Quarter (Bio9) and Temperature Seasonality (Bio4) were the key environmental drivers. Since the Last Interglacial, A. sutchuenense had experienced a continuously reduction in its suitable area, though the mountains surrounding the Sichuan Basin functioned as vital glacial shelters. Although the potential suitable habitat was distributed in a ring shape, A. sutchuenense occurs only on the east and west sides of the Sichuan Basin, probably due to the terrain complexity and limited dispersal ability. In the future, A. sutchuenense faces a westward contraction and a migration lag behind climate velocity due to dispersal constraints. Overall, we recommend a multi-dimensional conservation framework that prioritizes in situ conservation in core refugia, urgently establishes ecological corridors to facilitate eastward migration under climate change, implements ex situ conservation through germplasm collection for vulnerable southwestern populations, and enhances long-term monitoring to ensure species persistence. Full article

Ecological network optimization can enhance ecological connectivity, regional ecological stability, and carbon sink capacity. Current research on ecological networks employs single-perspective optimization, which overlooks the synergistic requirements between network topological characteristics and the dual carbon goals. It lacks a comprehensive, systemic optimization framework. Focusing on the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, the work constructs an ecological network by integrating ecosystem services, morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA), and circuit theory. A framework integrating barrier removal, structural robustness, and carbon sink enhancement is proposed, incorporating ecological barrier identification, complex network theory, and carbon offset patterns for multi-objective structural and functional optimization. The optimized network is evaluated using structural metrics, robustness analysis, and carbon sequestration validation. The network comprises 41 ecological sources and 102 corridors, exhibiting a dense northwest and sparse southeast distribution. Ecological barriers totaling 565.56 km² are removed to improve connectivity in the region. An edge-addition strategy introduces 12 nodes and 49 edges, enhancing connectivity, stability, and carbon sink capacity. Restoration priorities are set with the phased objectives of removing barriers, connecting topological weak points, and optimizing low-value carbon offset areas. Shifting the focus from structural connectivity to integrated function, the work contributes a methodological framework for advancing ecological security and carbon neutrality in urban agglomerations. Full article

Carbon sinks have been widely recognized as critical components of climate change mitigation and achieving carbon neutrality. With rapid urbanization, protecting and optimizing urban carbon sinks remain major challenges. This study uses Zhengzhou as a case study and analyzes 2000–2023 land-use data with the InVEST model to quantify carbon stocks and identify high-value carbon-sink areas. Circuit theory was further integrated to delineate ecological security patterns and inform optimization strategies. The results show a net decrease of 19.12 × 10⁶ t in carbon storage from 2000 to 2023, with the most rapid decline occurring during 2015–2020. Spatially, high-value carbon storage clustered in forested, high-elevation areas in the southwest, whereas low values predominated in the urban core. Carbon-sink source areas continued to shrink: fragmentation increased in the east, the west remained relatively stable, and the central area was highly fragmented. Corridor analysis indicated that the mean corridor length first increased and then decreased, accompanied by an expansion of pinch points and barrier areas. The study developed a systematic optimization framework that establishes a “Two Cores, Five Carbon-Sink Areas, Multiple Corridors” security pattern and proposes targeted conservation measures. The proposed methodology and findings offer a transferable basis for managing urban carbon sinks in rapidly developing regions and support both ecological security and climate-change mitigation, promoting sustainable urban development. Full article

Rapid urbanization has led to severe landscape fragmentation and ecosystem degradation in the Gansu Section of the Yellow River Basin (GSYRB). Focusing on this region, this study identified the spatial distribution of key ecological elements; consequently, an integrated “source–corridor–pinch point” ecological network was constructed. The findings aim to optimize the regional ecological security pattern. Ultimately, this study provides a scientific basis for the sustainable development of the study area and similar regions. This study revealed ecological trends based on four periods of land use data (1993–2023). We identified ecological source areas through MSPA and ecosystem service evaluations, and constructed resistance surfaces using spatial PCA. By applying circuit theory, we extracted ecological corridors—incorporating width attributes—and identified pinch points, thereby establishing a comprehensive ecological network. The results show that: (1) Over the past 30 years, construction land area expanded significantly, while cultivated land and water body areas contracted, and grassland and forest areas increased slowly. (2) Both the landscape fragmentation index and connectivity index exhibited a downward trend, while the landscape diversity index decreased first and then increased, indicating a systemic transformation in the landscape pattern. (3) A total of 260 ecological source areas, 694 ecological corridors (linear pathways connecting ecological source areas), and 371 ecological pinch points (critical bottleneck sections within corridors where connectivity is most vulnerable to disruption) were identified, forming an overall network structure with uneven spatial distribution. The ecological network spatial pattern constructed in this study based on ecosystem service assessment and circuit theory can effectively identify key ecological elements and their spatial heterogeneity characteristics, providing scientific reference for optimizing regional ecological security patterns and biodiversity conservation. Full article

During urbanization, human activities have induced significant transformations in land use, leading to a huge imbalance in economic growth and nature development, posing severe threats to ecosystems. How to construct a stable and continuous ecological security pattern (ESP) in vulnerable areas like the Liaohe River Basin in Liaoning section has become a crucial challenge for regional management while facing the constraints of habitat fragmentation and the loss of landscape connectivity on sustainable development. Most research on ESP mainly relies on current situation or single scenario predictions, this study developed a “current assessment-future prediction-pattern optimization” framework. By simulating and comparing four distinct policy-oriented scenarios for 2030—Natural Development (ND), Cropland Protection (CP), Ecological Protection (EP), and Ecosystem-Service-Importance-Based Sustainable Development (ESIS)—this study aims to: (1) reveal the differentiated impacts of various policy orientations on future land use patterns; (2) compare the spatial evolution of ecological sources, resistance surfaces, ecological corridors, and key nodes between 2020 and under each 2030 scenario; and (3) synthesize an optimized ESP. This ESP is designed to balance economic and ecological needs, ultimately providing a scientific basis for watershed management. Furthermore, based on the simulation results, we propose a spatially explicit and adaptive management strategy termed the “one ribbon, two zones” pattern to guide the implementation of the optimized ESP within the basin. Full article