Spatiotemporal dynamic characteristics and conservation strategy of ecological security pattern in a rapidly urbanizing zone

• Published in: Ecological indicators Vol. 166; p. 112457
• Main Authors: Wang, Yichao, Yang, Xiao, Zhang, Xiaojun, Zhu, Luping, Wang, Xin, Li, Yu, Zhou, Lixuan, Yu, Xijun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.09.2024; Elsevier
• Subjects: Conservation strategy; Ecological corridors; Ecological security pattern; Landscape pattern; Urban planning; Urbanization; Urbanization; Landscape pattern; Ecological security pattern; Urban planning; Ecological corridors; Conservation strategy
• ISSN: 1470-160X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.112457

•The area of the largest 10 patches of ESs decreased by 13.5%.•The largest patches of ESs in the southwest became smaller significantly.•Two key ECs connecting the eastern and central regions have been encroached upon.•The ECs connecting the eastern and central regions should be given priority protection. Rapid urbanization has a comprehensive impact on the patterns of regional ecological security (ESPs) in the Sino-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City, China (SSGKC). This study aims to propose recommendations for ensuring regional ecological security by conducting a spatiotemporal dynamic assessment of ESPs. The findings reveal that SSGKC has experienced rapid urbanization in the past decade, resulting in more than doubling of construction land. The results indicate that the area of the largest 10 patches of ESs decreased by 13.5%. Two largest patches of ESs in the southwest became smaller and were out of the top 10 patches in 2020. The expansion of construction land has encroached upon key ecological corridors (ECs). Two ECs connecting the eastern and central regions have shifted southward. Landscape pattern indexes demonstrate that not only has the area of ESs decreased, but they have also become more fragmented. This study also utilized the Urban Development Boundary (UDB) and FLUS model to simulate and predict the potential impact of future land use change on ESPs. Policymakers are advised to optimize the UDB by excluding areas that overlap with ESs and key ECs, in order to minimize the potential occupation of ESs and ECs in the future. The circular ECs connecting the eastern and central regions should be given priority planned and protection.