Jinlong Hu’s research while affiliated with Guilin University of Technology and other places

Accelerated urbanization and the excessive exploitation of the tourism industry are leading to a diminution of ecological spaces in tourist cities. Ecological networks are an effective method for improving patch connectivity and maximizing ecological space. However, previous research on ecological networks predominantly focuses on static snapshots, ignoring the fact that ecological networks are landscape entities with considerable spatiotemporal and structural dynamics changes. To fill this gap, we first constructed ecological networks of Guilin in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, employing the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs (InVEST) model, the morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) method, and circuit theory. Subsequently, we analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution of the ecological networks and proposed strategies for improving territorial space management. The results showed that ecological sources and corridors were generally decreasing in both number and areas (length), coupled with a notable increase in the number of ecological pinch points and barriers over the 30-year period. The spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological corridors, pinch points, and barriers were associated with ecological sources. Structural evaluation of the ecological networks revealed that during 1990~2020, the value of α (network closure) exceeded 0.7, the value of β (line point rate) surpassed 2, and the value of γ (network connectivity) was greater than 0.8, indicating robust overall connectivity within the ecological networks. The observed decline in these three indicators over time suggested a reduction in connectivity and the available dispersal pathways for species within the ecological networks, highlighting the need for protective measures and optimization strategies. Consequently, the ecological network conservation strategies and the development of ecological patterns were proposed to enhance ecological space management in Guilin. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap in the dynamics of ecological networks and offers valuable insights for mitigating habitat fragmentation and enhancing ecological space management of tourist cities.

A comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal patterns of changes in ecosystem services, along with their driving factors, is crucial for managing ecosystems effectively and ensuring sustainable development in the area. Intense human activities and rapid urbanization have led to frequent land use/cover changes. Nanning, as a rapidly developing city, has received increasing attention for its ecosystem services. This research assesses the valuation of ecosystem services by employing the equivalent factor approach, utilizing land use data from Nanning City spanning the period from 2000 to 2020. It analyzes the spatial and temporal dynamics of these services and identifies key drivers through the application of a GeoDetector model. The results show the following: (1) Between 2000 and 2020, forests were the predominant ecosystem in Nanning City. During this period, significant land type conversions occurred, with the largest outflow from arable land and the largest inflow to construction land. (2) Over the 20 years, the aggregate value of ecosystem services (ESV) in Nanning exhibited a declining trend, culminating in a net reduction of USD 1056.8 million. Forest land ESVs constituted the largest proportion of the total value, exceeding 59%. Among the individual ESVs, hydrological regulation and climate regulation were the predominant services, collectively accounting for over 48% of the total value, with hydrological regulation contributing 20.7% and climate regulation 27.7%. (3) The ESVs in Nanning City exhibit pronounced spatial differentiation, with higher values concentrated in the central regions and lower values in peripheral zones. Notably, the high-value zones are experiencing a reduction in size, while the low-value zones are progressively expanding. (4) The findings from the GeoDetector analysis indicate that soil organic matter, urbanization rate, annual sunshine, financial expenditure, and population density are the primary determinants affecting ESV. Furthermore, the explanatory power of these influencing factors is substantially increased following interactive detection. This research provides a scientific basis for developing land management strategies and policies in Nanning City and holds substantial significance for advancing sustainable regional development.

The ecological security of karst basins is receiving increased attention as a result of intense human activity and climate change. However, how ecological security evolves in spacetime and the optimization of ecological security patterns still remain unclear. This study developed a methodological framework for evaluating ecological security and optimizing ecological security patterns of the Lijiang River Basin (LRB). The 3S technology was used to analyze the current status and evolution characteristics of landscape ecological security in the LRB from 1990 to 2020. This study identified and optimized ecological security patterns by adhering to the basic paradigm of “source identification–resistance surface construction–corridor extraction–node determination”. The results showed that the overall ecological security of the LRB was at a medium to high level, with an index showing an initial increase followed by a decrease. The LRB exhibited 24 ecological pinch points, 74 ecological corridors, 30 ecological sources, and 6 ecological barrier points. The predominant landscape types found within these pinch points and barrier points encompass forests, cultivated land, and urban areas. A scheme of “three cores, two belts, and six zones” was proposed to optimize the ecological security pattern of the LRB. This study provides a theoretical basis and technical references for the integrated management of the rivers, grasslands, farmlands, mountains, lakes, forests, and sands in the LRB, as well as for the ecological restoration of other regions.

Changing landscape patterns would alter ecosystem components and functions, affecting the supply of ecosystem services. Understanding the spatial and temporal variations of ecosystem services is an important basis for ecosystem management and planning decisions and is of great significance for the realization of regional sustainable development. Based on Landsat TM/OLI remote sensing images from 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020 in the Li River Basin, we explored the spatial and temporal variabilities of ecosystem services in the Li River Basin over the past 30 years, from both horizontal and vertical dimensions, using modified equivalence factor method and spatial autocorrelation analysis. The research findings are as follows: (1) Forestland has consistently been the dominant landscape type in the Li River Basin, with its area continuously increasing, while farmland, water bodies, and grassland have decreased, and construction land and bare land have increased. (2) The value of ecosystem services in the Li River Basin exhibited an initial increase followed by a decrease trend, with a net increase of 9.20 × 108 yuan. Forestland contributed the most to the value of ecosystem services. (3) Hydrological regulation and climate regulation are the dominant functions of the Li River Basin’s ecosystems, accounting for over 50% of the total contribution. (4) The value of ecosystem services per unit area increases with increasing slope and elevation. The segments with slopes ranging from 15 to 25 degrees and elevation zones between 200 and 500 m have the highest total value of ecosystem services. (5) The overall level of ecosystem services in the Li River Basin is relatively high and continues to rise, but areas with a low ecosystem service value are gradually concentrated. (6) The Moran’s I values for ecosystem services in all four periods are greater than 0, indicating a significant positive spatial autocorrelation. The overall pattern of ecosystem services is relatively stable, but there are significant spatial variations, which are characterized by lower values in the central area and higher values in the surrounding areas. The research findings provide a scientific basis for watershed ecological environment construction, optimal allocation of land resources, and sustainable landscape management.