Construction and stability evaluation of ecological networks in the Loess Plateau

Enhanced and optimized ecological security patterns in ecologically fragile areas are conducive to promoting their sustainable development. A valuable strategy for achieving multi-dimensional coexistence and stability of regional functions is constructing ecological networks and optimizing them. Giv...

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Main Authors: Liangjie Yang, Fangning Zhang, Lishuang Qin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2024-02-01
Series:Ecological Indicators
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X24001547
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author Liangjie Yang
Fangning Zhang
Lishuang Qin
author_facet Liangjie Yang
Fangning Zhang
Lishuang Qin
author_sort Liangjie Yang
collection DOAJ
description Enhanced and optimized ecological security patterns in ecologically fragile areas are conducive to promoting their sustainable development. A valuable strategy for achieving multi-dimensional coexistence and stability of regional functions is constructing ecological networks and optimizing them. Given its susceptibility to human activities and climate change, enhancing the ecological security pattern of the Loess Plateau is particularly crucial. This study selects nine indicators from natural and human activity perspectives and constructs an ecological network using MCR and gravity models. Then, complex network analysis is performed to examine the ecological network topology and stability under deliberate attacks and random failures in the Loess Plateau. The results indicate that ecological sources are primarily located in the central and northern regions of the Loess Plateau, and the links adhere to the proximity effect theory, displaying an inverse relationship with the spatial distance separating the sources. Both preferential attachment and a power-law distribution are observed in the degree distribution of the ecological network. Additionally, deliberate attacks and random fault simulations lead to a significant decrease in both connectivity and transmission efficiency of the ecological network. The failure of hub nodes exerts a diverse range of influences on the ecological network. This study enhances our understanding of ecosystem interactions and presents crucial insights for ecological conservation and restoration strategies.
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spelling doaj.art-5f14b7b2b51a47d4b269dcfba6caec912024-02-25T04:35:14ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2024-02-01159111697Construction and stability evaluation of ecological networks in the Loess PlateauLiangjie Yang0Fangning Zhang1Lishuang Qin2College of Geography and Environment Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China; Key Laboratory of Resource Environment and Sustainable Development of Oasis, College of Geography and Environmental Science, Northwest Normal University, China; Corresponding author at: College of Geography and Environment Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, China.College of Geography and Environment Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaCollege of Geography and Environment Science, Northwest Normal University, Lanzhou 730070, ChinaEnhanced and optimized ecological security patterns in ecologically fragile areas are conducive to promoting their sustainable development. A valuable strategy for achieving multi-dimensional coexistence and stability of regional functions is constructing ecological networks and optimizing them. Given its susceptibility to human activities and climate change, enhancing the ecological security pattern of the Loess Plateau is particularly crucial. This study selects nine indicators from natural and human activity perspectives and constructs an ecological network using MCR and gravity models. Then, complex network analysis is performed to examine the ecological network topology and stability under deliberate attacks and random failures in the Loess Plateau. The results indicate that ecological sources are primarily located in the central and northern regions of the Loess Plateau, and the links adhere to the proximity effect theory, displaying an inverse relationship with the spatial distance separating the sources. Both preferential attachment and a power-law distribution are observed in the degree distribution of the ecological network. Additionally, deliberate attacks and random fault simulations lead to a significant decrease in both connectivity and transmission efficiency of the ecological network. The failure of hub nodes exerts a diverse range of influences on the ecological network. This study enhances our understanding of ecosystem interactions and presents crucial insights for ecological conservation and restoration strategies.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X24001547Ecological securityEcological networkMCR modelRobustness modelStabilityThe Loess Plateau
spellingShingle Liangjie Yang
Fangning Zhang
Lishuang Qin
Construction and stability evaluation of ecological networks in the Loess Plateau
Ecological Indicators
Ecological security
Ecological network
MCR model
Robustness model
Stability
The Loess Plateau
title Construction and stability evaluation of ecological networks in the Loess Plateau
title_full Construction and stability evaluation of ecological networks in the Loess Plateau
title_fullStr Construction and stability evaluation of ecological networks in the Loess Plateau
title_full_unstemmed Construction and stability evaluation of ecological networks in the Loess Plateau
title_short Construction and stability evaluation of ecological networks in the Loess Plateau
title_sort construction and stability evaluation of ecological networks in the loess plateau
topic Ecological security
Ecological network
MCR model
Robustness model
Stability
The Loess Plateau
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X24001547
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