Quantitative Analysis of the Ecological Security Pattern for Regional Sustainable Development: Case Study of Chaohu Basin in Eastern China

Abstract

Rapid urbanization and irrational land use seriously threaten ecological security. Quantitative analysis optimization of ecological security patterns (ESPs) could ensure the sustainable development of ecosystems. Identifying of ecological sources’ thresholds and corridors is a difficult task. An integrated framework and analytical method are proposed here based on Geographic Information System (GIS) software, Python language, and a minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model to construct and quantitatively analyze ESPs. The model includes the following functions: (1) the delimitation of ecological patches by assessing regional habitat quality; (2) identification of ecological sources using patch numbers (PNs), proportional area, and a landscape connectivity index; (3) identification of a resistance surface coefficient with a night light index; and (4) extraction of key ecological corridors and nodes using a modified multiprocess and batch processing flow of MCR. Habitat quality was classed at middle and high levels, the minimum area threshold of ecological sources was 2 km2, and urban areas and highways were the main obstacles to sustainable development. Potential key ecological corridors were extracted. The method can provide technical support for regional infrastructure planning, landscape optimization, and regional development.