Ecological source identification and ecological security pattern construction from the perspective of ecosystem service supply and demand: A case study of Baiyangdian Basin in China

Achieving a balance between the supply and demand of ecosystem services is crucial for ensuring ecological security and promoting the healthy development of regional ecosystems. This study focuses on 35 county-level administrative regions within China's Baiyangdian Basin. The supply and demand of four ecosystem services, namely water supply, carbon sequestration, food production, and entertainment services, were quantitatively evaluated. Ecological Sources are identified from the perspective of supply and demand, with the basic Resistance Surface corrected using VIIRS/DNB nightlight data and Circuit Theory applied to identify Ecological Corridors and Key Points. A regional Ecological Security Pattern was established. The results reveal the presence of 163 Ecological Sources in this area, which cover a total area of approximately 6,479.24 km2. These sources were predominantly found in the Taihang Mountains in the northwest, as well as in the central and eastern river basins of the area. A total of 76 main and 112 potential Ecological Corridors were extracted, totaling 3,241.63 km. Additionally, 124 Ecological Key Points were extracted, including 74 key Pinch Points, 30 general Pinch Points, and 20 Obstacle Points. These ecological elements are interconnected to form a basic structure of the Ecological Security Pattern. The study identifies a spatial pattern of "Three zones—One belt—Multiple corridor and point" and provides targeted policy suggestions based on these findings. The research contributes valuable insights for ecosystem management and the development of land space ecological restoration policies in both the Xiong'an New Area and the Baiyangdian Basin.