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Ecological Security Patterns Based on Ecosystem Service Assessment and Circuit Theory: A Case Study of Liaoning Province, China

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  • Bingyi Wang

    (College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Yufei Zhang

    (College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Hanlong Gu

    (College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, China)

  • Zhenxing Bian

    (College of Land and Environment, Shenyang Agriculture University, Shenyang 110866, China)

Abstract

As urbanization progresses at an accelerating pace, the depletion of natural resources and environmental degradation are becoming increasingly severe. Constructing ecological security patterns (ESPs) has become a crucial strategy for mitigating environmental stress and promoting sustainable social development. Currently, the methods for constructing ESPs remain under exploration. Particularly, in the identification of ecological sources, insufficient emphasis has been placed on trade-offs among ecosystem services (ESs). This study focuses on Liaoning Province, situated in China’s northeast revitalization area—a region with a developed heavy industry and abundant ecological resources. The InVEST model was employed to assess ESs, and the ordered weighted average (OWA) method was utilized to identify ecological sources. By integrating both natural and social factors, the ecological resistance surface was constructed, and circuit theory was applied to determine ecological corridors, ultimately leading to the development of an ESP. The results show that (1) between 2010, 2015, and 2020, water yield continued to increase, habitat quality continuously declined, soil conservation tended to decrease and then gradually increase, and carbon storage tended to increase and then decrease. The four ESs show similar spatial features, characterized by elevated levels in the eastern and western areas and a comparatively reduced level in the central region; (2) a total of 179 ecological sources were identified, covering 26,235.34 km 2 . The overall distribution showed a concentration in the east, with a fragmented and dispersed pattern in the southwest. The identification of 435 ecological corridors, with an overall length totaling 8794.59 km, resulted in a network-like distribution pattern. Additionally, 65 ecological pinch points and 67 barrier points were identified; and (3) a “four zones, three corridors, and two belts” pattern of ecological protection and restoration has been proposed. The findings offer valuable insights for Liaoning Province and other rapidly developing regions facing escalating environmental pressures.

Suggested Citation

  • Bingyi Wang & Yufei Zhang & Hanlong Gu & Zhenxing Bian, 2025. "Ecological Security Patterns Based on Ecosystem Service Assessment and Circuit Theory: A Case Study of Liaoning Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:6:p:1257-:d:1676690
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hanlong Gu & Chongyang Huan & Fengjiao Yang, 2023. "Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Ecological Vulnerability and Its Influencing Factors in Shenyang City of China: Based on SRP Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-26, January.
    2. Christopher H. Trisos & Cory Merow & Alex L. Pigot, 2020. "The projected timing of abrupt ecological disruption from climate change," Nature, Nature, vol. 580(7804), pages 496-501, April.
    3. Jacek Malczewski, 2006. "Integrating multicriteria analysis and geographic information systems: the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) approach," International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 6(1/2), pages 7-19.
    4. Fengjie Gao & Wei Yang & Si Zhang & Xiaohui Xin & Jun Zhou & Guoming Du, 2023. "An Integrated Approach to Constructing Ecological Security Pattern in an Urbanization and Agricultural Intensification Area in Northeast China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Costanza, Robert & de Groot, Rudolf & Braat, Leon & Kubiszewski, Ida & Fioramonti, Lorenzo & Sutton, Paul & Farber, Steve & Grasso, Monica, 2017. "Twenty years of ecosystem services: How far have we come and how far do we still need to go?," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 28(PA), pages 1-16.
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