Construction of Ecological Security Pattern and Identification of Key Regions Based on Ecological Assessment and Circuit Theory

Abstract

[Objective] The ecological security pattern of Anhui Province was constructed and the key areas of ecological restoration were identified in order to build an ecological basis for urban development, and to provide a scientific basis for the territorial ecological restoration of Anhui Province. [Methods] The InVEST model and the MCR model were used to evaluate and identify ecological source areas from the supply side and the internal response side of the ecosystem. The resistance surface was modified by nighttime light data. The ecological security pattern for Anhui Province was constructed based on the circuit theory. The ecological pinch points and ecological barrier points were identified, and differentiated restoration and maintenance measures were proposed according to spatial differentiation and terrain characteristics. [Results] ① There were 53 ecological source areas in Anhui Province, with a total area of 4.22×104 km2, accounting for 30.5% of the total area of Anhui Province. The southern source areas were concentrated and had high ecological value, while the northern source areas was scattered and had low ecological value. ② Ninety-five ecological corridors were constructed. Based on landscape connectivity analysis, 68 key corridors, 26 important corridors, and one general corridor were selected. ③ There were 119 ecological pinch points with an area of 412.45 km2, and 46 ecological barrier points with an area of 423.20 km2. ④ Ecological pinch points and scattered ecological barrier points were maintained by nature, and artificial restoration and natural restoration of large ecological obstacles were implemented simultaneously. [Conclusion] The ecological security pattern constructed with the help of ecological assessment and circuit theory was more in line with the actual process of species movement, and can effectively identify the key areas of ecological restoration and their distribution characteristics.

Keywords

• ecological assessment
• circuit theory
• ecological security pattern
• ecological pinch point
• ecological barrier point
• anhui province