The impacts of power transmission and transformation projects on ecological corridors and landscape connectivity: a case study of Shandong province, China

Abstract

Abstract With the rapid urbanization and electrification in recent years, investment and construction in power infrastructure have been strengthened. Although it has a positive impact on economic development and energy distribution, the ecological and landscape impacts brought by the construction of related auxiliary facilities are often overlooked. To achieve a harmonious relationship between energy development and ecological protection, this study aims at the impacts of power transmission and transformation projects on ecological corridors and landscape connectivity. By coupling the morphological spatial pattern analysis and the least-cost path model, the regional ecological corridors are first constructed. In addition, the influences of power transmission and transformation projects on landscape connectivity can be evaluated and compared. This framework is verified through a case study of Shandong Province in China. The results indicated that power transmission and transformation projects had a significant impact on the migration resistance of landscapes, impeding the formation of ecological corridors for species. Additionally, these projects have exerted a pronounced cutting effect on landscapes, reducing ecological corridor permeability and landscape connectivity. It is crucial to preserve the habitats of major ecological sources while maintaining and developing the ecological nodes along the key ecological corridors. The findings contributed to the harmonization of regional energy planning and ecological protection, providing a reference for the future layout of transmission and transformation project construction and development.

Keywords

• Power transmission and transformation projects
• Morphological spatial pattern analysis
• Least-cost path method
• Ecological corridor