Arid Zone Research ›› 2023, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (7): 1172-1183.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2023.07.14

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Construction of an ecological security pattern and zoning optimization for territorial space in the Liupan Mountain Area

BAO Yubin1(),WANG Yaozong2,LU Feng1,LIU Zizeng1,MA Dawei1,YANG Yong1,WU Juan1,ZHANG Yongkang1   

  1. 1. Ningxia Institute of Remote Sensing, Survey and Mapping, Yinchuan 750021, Ningxia, China
    2. Ningxia Ecological Environment Information and Emergency Center, Yinchuan 750021, Ningxia, China
  • Received:2022-12-23 Revised:2023-03-24 Online:2023-07-15 Published:2023-08-01

Abstract:

The establishment of an ecological security pattern is a crucial step in ensuring human well-being and healthy growth. It is a particular measure for putting the notion of “life community” into reality. The critical ecological location and abundant ecological resources of Ningxia’s Liupan Mountain Area make it indispensable in ensuring regional ecological security. In this study, we use the InVEST model and the circuit theory landscape model (Circuitscape) to completely integrate the benefits of ecosystem service assessment and ecological corridor identification. Meanwhile, we use the “sources-corridors-nodes” paradigm to build the ecological security pattern and complete ecological restoration zoning. According to the findings, there are 75 ecological sources in the Liupan Mountain Area, accounting for 21.8% of the total study area, which exhibits the characteristics of mountain spatial pattern and county expansion and serves as ecological strategic points and nodes in the construction of ecological security patterns. With a total length of 211.6 km, 47 significant ecological corridors link the nature reserves and the primary ecological sources. Meanwhile, 547 ecological pinchpoints and 217 ecological barriers, totaling 626.9 km2 and 893.9 km2, need urgent conservation and restoration. The area of ecological barriers accounts for 17.4% of the total, which requires the most stringent ecological protection to maximize the regional ecological radiation effect. Meanwhile, the proportions of conservation areas, restoration and improvement areas, and control and coordination areas are 6.5%, 38.2%, and 37.9%, respectively. To limit the danger of ecological deterioration, protected zones have strengthened surveillance of closed slopes and prohibited grazing, as well as plant regeneration. The restoration and improvement regions need the implementation of diverse strategies to enhance ecological quality to sustain the ecological network’s healthy, stable, and virtuous cycle and to capitalize on the ecological buffer zone impact. To thoroughly coordinate and maintain development, it is critical to scientifically outline the three zones and three lines, as well as enhance the degree of land conservation and intense usage. The findings might be useful for integrated and systematic ecological conservation and restoration, as well as policy development and project layout in the Liupan Mountain Area.

Key words: ecological restoration for territorial space, ecological security pattern, circuit theory, InVEST model, Liupan Mountain