Abstract
In the face of the persistent degradation of ecological environments and fragmentation of ecological networks brought about by rapid urbanization, this study focuses on examining the interaction between urban land use intensity and ecological networks in the Xi'an Metropolitan Region (XAMR), China, and their impact on ecological equilibrium and sustainable development. By comprehensively evaluating the changes in land use intensity in XAMR from 2010 to 2020, the aim is to underscore the pivotal role of ecological networks in maintaining urban ecological balance and promoting sustainable development. The findings indicate a transition in land use intensity in the XAMR from low to high concentration, reflecting an intensification in land resource utilization during urbanization. However, the establishment and management of ecological networks can significantly enhance urban ecological security and biodiversity. Notably, this research identified crucial ecological corridors and source areas, augmenting the connectivity of urban green infrastructure and providing vital support for urban biodiversity. Additionally, a significant finding of this study is the spatial spillover effects generated by socioeconomic factors such as the proportion of tertiary and secondary industries and per capita GDP through the ecological network, which have profound impacts on land use intensity in the surrounding areas. These insights offer a novel understanding of the complex interactions within urban ecosystems, emphasizing the importance of incorporating ecological network construction in urban planning. Overall, through a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the ecological network and land use intensity in the XAMR, this study proposes new directions for urban ecosystem management and land use planning, highlighting the significance of scientific ecological network planning and management in achieving long-term sustainable development in urbanization processes.
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Funding
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. U214320057, U2040208, 42007070 and 42277359), Key Laboratory Project of Shaanxi Provincial Education Department grant number 20JS100, and Shaanxi Province Innovation Capability Support Plan in 2022 grant number 2022KJXX-86.
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Yaotao Xu: data analysis and article writing, manuscript revision. Peng Li: ideas contribution and providing valuable suggestions, manuscript revision. Jinjin Pan: providing valuable suggestions and comments for the manuscript. Nibing Gong: providing valuable suggestions and comments for the manuscript. Zixuan Yan: data collection and collation. Junfang Cui: data collection and collation. Binhua Zhao: guidance in cartography. All authors contributed critically to the drafts and gave final approval for publication.
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Xu, Y., Li, P., Pan, J. et al. Spatial response of urban land use intensity to ecological networks: a case study of Xi'an Metropolitan Region, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33562-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33562-w