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Ecological Security and Ecosystem Quality: A Case Study of Xia-Zhang-Quan Metropolitan Area in China

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  • Fachao Liang

    (School of Politics and Public Administration, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China
    Political Development and Public Governance Research Center, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China)

  • Mengdi Bai

    (School of Politics and Public Administration, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China
    Political Development and Public Governance Research Center, Huaqiao University, Quanzhou 362021, China)

  • Qiyu Hu

    (School of Public Administration and Policy, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872, China)

  • Sheng-Hau Lin

    (Department of Public Administration, Law School, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, China)

Abstract

Ecological security patterns are an effective tool by which to balance economic development with ecological protection. This study used the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model in conjunction with circuit theory to evaluate ecosystem quality from four dimensions: background conditions, topography, landscape structure, and ecological resistance. Our objective was to identify ecological “pinch points” in order to create an ecological security pattern that would be sustainable under a range of land use functions. We selected as the research target the Xia-Zhang-Quan metropolitan area in China due to the extensive soil erosion and general degradation of ecosystems caused by its rapid socio-economic development. Our analysis identified 17 ecological source sites covering 11,512 km 2 , which accounts for 45.36% of the total area. The inter-source corridor includes 31 key corridors and 10 potential corridors covering 3305 km. The average ecosystem quality of this area was estimated at 0.65 at an optimal granularity of 400 m. The distribution of resistance values in the study area was relatively concentrated with the land divided into an ecological buffer zone (34.6%), an environmentally sensitive zone (10.9%), and a blocking zone (9.2%). Our analysis also revealed various corridors based on the regional and functional characteristics of ecological elements and improvement strategies at the pinch points to help restore the function of ecological sources. Protection of these corridors will help to maintain regional ecological security patterns and optimize the structure of ecological spaces with the aim of achieving sustainable development.

Suggested Citation

  • Fachao Liang & Mengdi Bai & Qiyu Hu & Sheng-Hau Lin, 2022. "Ecological Security and Ecosystem Quality: A Case Study of Xia-Zhang-Quan Metropolitan Area in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-14, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:5:p:707-:d:811149
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaoteng Cen & Cifang Wu & Xiaoshi Xing & Ming Fang & Zhuoma Garang & Yizhou Wu, 2015. "Coupling Intensive Land Use and Landscape Ecological Security for Urban Sustainability: An Integrated Socioeconomic Data and Spatial Metrics Analysis in Hangzhou City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-24, January.
    2. Oh-Sung Kwon & Jin-Hyo Kim & Jung-Hwa Ra, 2021. "Landscape Ecological Analysis of Green Network in Urban Area Using Circuit Theory and Least-Cost Path," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(8), pages 1-23, August.
    3. Moreira, Miguel & Fonseca, Catarina & Vergílio, Marta & Calado, Helena & Gil, Artur, 2018. "Spatial assessment of habitat conservation status in a Macaronesian island based on the InVEST model: a case study of Pico Island (Azores, Portugal)," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 637-649.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zheneng Hu & Meijun Qian & Xianghe Teng & Zhuoya Zhang & Fanglei Zhong & Qingping Cheng & Chuanhao Wen, 2022. "The Spatiotemporal Evolution of Ecological Security in Border Areas: A Case Study of Southwest China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-21, June.
    2. Tingke Wu & Shiwei Lu & Yichen Ding, 2025. "Ecological Security Evaluation System Integrated with Circuit Theory for Regional Ecological Security Pattern Construction: A Coordinated Study of Chang-Zhu-Tan Metropolitan Area in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-22, January.
    3. Liang Lv & Shihao Zhang & Jie Zhu & Ziming Wang & Zhe Wang & Guoqing Li & Chen Yang, 2022. "Ecological Restoration Strategies for Mountainous Cities Based on Ecological Security Patterns and Circuit Theory: A Case of Central Urban Areas in Chongqing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-21, December.
    4. Liang, Fachao & Zhu, Runmiao & Lin, Sheng-Hau, 2023. "Exploring spatial relationship between landscape configuration and ecosystem services: A case study of Xiamen–Zhangzhou–Quanzhou in China," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 486(C).

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