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Arid Land Geography ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (3): 494-505.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2024.199

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatial and temporal evolution and influencing factors of ecological security pattern based on circuit theory: A case of Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi

ZHANG Jie1,2(), QU Jianjun1,2, CHEN Hai1,2(), SHI Jinxin1,2, MA Yuhe1,2, LIU Di3   

  1. 1. College of Urban and Environmental Science, Northwest University, Xi’an 710127, Shaanxi, China
    2. Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi’an 710127, Shaanxi, China
    3. College of Tourism, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, Henan, China
  • Received:2024-03-26 Revised:2024-05-13 Online:2025-03-25 Published:2025-03-14
  • Contact: CHEN Hai E-mail:202021009@stumail.nwu.edu.cn;chw@nwu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Identifying landscape elements such as points, lines, and planes that are critical for maintaining regional ecosystems is essential for constructing dynamic ecological security patterns and understanding their influencing factors. Addressing the limitations of previous studies, this research employs morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA), landscape connectivity analysis, and circuit theory models to construct ecological security patterns on the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi Province, China, from 2000 to 2020. It investigates the temporal and spatial evolution of these patterns and uses geographical detectors, ordinary least squares (OLS), and geographically weighted regression (GWR) models to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of influencing factors, offering ecological restoration strategies. The results showed that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, ecological sources were concentrated in the southern Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi, with minimal changes in area and stable spatial locations. (2) The mean ecological resistance surface values on the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi in 2000, 2010, and 2020 were 4.96, 4.36, and 4.40, respectively, showing a pattern of low resistance in the south region and high resistance in the northwest region. (3) Ecological corridor lengths on the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi were 2416.25 km, 3433.61 km, and 2643.62 km in 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. Southern regions exhibited dense, low-resistance corridors, while northern regions had sparse, high-resistance corridors. (4) Ecological pinch points and barriers were mainly located in the northwest of the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi, with their areas consistently decreasing over time. (5) Vegetation coverage, landscape diversity, population density, slope, and precipitation were the primary factors influencing the spatial heterogeneity of the ecological security pattern. These findings provide a scientific basis for ecological planning on the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi, aiding in the development and adjustment of ecological restoration strategies.

Key words: ecological security pattern, temporal and spatial evolution, influencing factors, circuit theory, the Loess Plateau of northern Shaanxi