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Arid Land Geography ›› 2025, Vol. 48 ›› Issue (11): 1971-1982.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2024.567

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and spatial network construction of national nature reserves in China

LI Hongfei1,2(), CHANG Kai1,2()   

  1. 1. College of Design and Art, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China
    2. Northwest Center of Key Laboratory of Urban and Architectural Heritage Conservation of the Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, China
  • Received:2024-09-22 Revised:2024-11-11 Online:2025-11-25 Published:2025-11-26
  • Contact: CHANG Kai E-mail:Lhf117@126.com;qqqck0907@163.com

Abstract:

This study examines 474 national nature reserves in China from 1956 to 2023, utilizing kernel density estimation to analyze their spatiotemporal distribution patterns. A social network analysis model is then employed to measure the attributes of these reserves and to propose integrated protection strategies. The findings reveal the following. (1) The evolution of China’s national nature reserves can be categorized into four distinct stages: Preliminary exploration, vigorous development, slow development, and consolidation and improvement. This development has resulted in a spatial pattern characterized by large and scattered reserves in the west, and small and clustered reserves in the east. (2) Topological analysis reveals that the nodes within the national nature reserve network exhibit strong cohesion, small-world characteristics, and a prominent “core-periphery” effect. (3) The network’s spatial pattern demonstrates significant heterogeneity among protection clusters, forming a “triangular” framework for reserve aggregation, with key vertices located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, the Northeast Plain, the Changbai Mountain area, and the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Based on the natural endowments and geographic conditions of these reserve clusters, we propose corresponding integrated protection strategies from the perspective of the association network, aimed at providing guidance for the integration and optimization of nature reserves.

Key words: national nature reserves, social network analysis, spatiotemporal distribution characteristics, spatial pattern, integrated protection strategies