Construction and Analysis of Multi-Species Ecological Network, a Case Study of the Southeast Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
In recent years, rapid global changes have accelerated the loss of habitats and fragmentation of landscapes, emerging as primary drivers of the alarming decline in global biodiversity. Through the construction of ecological networks (ENs) that simulate the interactions between animal and plant speci...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2023-10-01
|
| Series: | Forests |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2149 |
| _version_ | 1797459266517336064 |
|---|---|
| author | Jiaqin Zeng Kai Su Chuang Li Jie Lu Xuebing Jiang Yongfa You |
| author_facet | Jiaqin Zeng Kai Su Chuang Li Jie Lu Xuebing Jiang Yongfa You |
| author_sort | Jiaqin Zeng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In recent years, rapid global changes have accelerated the loss of habitats and fragmentation of landscapes, emerging as primary drivers of the alarming decline in global biodiversity. Through the construction of ecological networks (ENs) that simulate the interactions between animal and plant species with their environment, it is possible to mitigate landscape fragmentation and the loss of biodiversity. In this study, we focused on the ecologically diverse southeastern region of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) as our research area and developed a comprehensive Multi-Species Ecological Network (MEN) consisting of ten species. Through employing complex network analysis methods, we thoroughly examined the intra-species and inter-species interactions within the MEN, integrating the findings with the natural characteristics of the study area to yield valuable insights. The results of our study revealed considerable spatial variations in the MEN. Specifically, the western and eastern regions experienced significant ecological resistance, leading to fragmented ecological sources and a limited connectivity of ecological corridors. Furthermore, the application of complex network analysis revealed inadequate connectivity and stability in specific localized areas within the MEN. This emphasizes the pressing requirement for effective ecological preservation plans. Through this study, our aim is to advance research on multi-species ecological spatial networks and to offer novel perspectives and methodologies for biodiversity conservation and habitat maintenance in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:49:58Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-80c523dc17ef4b72be9afc71524a87e1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:49:58Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-80c523dc17ef4b72be9afc71524a87e12023-11-24T14:42:29ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072023-10-011411214910.3390/f14112149Construction and Analysis of Multi-Species Ecological Network, a Case Study of the Southeast Qinghai–Tibetan PlateauJiaqin Zeng0Kai Su1Chuang Li2Jie Lu3Xuebing Jiang4Yongfa You5College of Resources and Environment, Tibet Agriculture and Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi 860000, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, ChinaSchool of Forestry, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaKey Laboratory of Forest Ecology in Tibet Plateau, Tibet Agricultural & Animal Husbandry University, Ministry of Education, Nyingchi 860000, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, ChinaInternational Center for Climate and Global Change Research, College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USAIn recent years, rapid global changes have accelerated the loss of habitats and fragmentation of landscapes, emerging as primary drivers of the alarming decline in global biodiversity. Through the construction of ecological networks (ENs) that simulate the interactions between animal and plant species with their environment, it is possible to mitigate landscape fragmentation and the loss of biodiversity. In this study, we focused on the ecologically diverse southeastern region of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) as our research area and developed a comprehensive Multi-Species Ecological Network (MEN) consisting of ten species. Through employing complex network analysis methods, we thoroughly examined the intra-species and inter-species interactions within the MEN, integrating the findings with the natural characteristics of the study area to yield valuable insights. The results of our study revealed considerable spatial variations in the MEN. Specifically, the western and eastern regions experienced significant ecological resistance, leading to fragmented ecological sources and a limited connectivity of ecological corridors. Furthermore, the application of complex network analysis revealed inadequate connectivity and stability in specific localized areas within the MEN. This emphasizes the pressing requirement for effective ecological preservation plans. Through this study, our aim is to advance research on multi-species ecological spatial networks and to offer novel perspectives and methodologies for biodiversity conservation and habitat maintenance in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2149species habitatmultispeciesecological networksnetwork analysisQinghai–Tibetan Plateau |
| spellingShingle | Jiaqin Zeng Kai Su Chuang Li Jie Lu Xuebing Jiang Yongfa You Construction and Analysis of Multi-Species Ecological Network, a Case Study of the Southeast Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau Forests species habitat multispecies ecological networks network analysis Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau |
| title | Construction and Analysis of Multi-Species Ecological Network, a Case Study of the Southeast Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau |
| title_full | Construction and Analysis of Multi-Species Ecological Network, a Case Study of the Southeast Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau |
| title_fullStr | Construction and Analysis of Multi-Species Ecological Network, a Case Study of the Southeast Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau |
| title_full_unstemmed | Construction and Analysis of Multi-Species Ecological Network, a Case Study of the Southeast Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau |
| title_short | Construction and Analysis of Multi-Species Ecological Network, a Case Study of the Southeast Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau |
| title_sort | construction and analysis of multi species ecological network a case study of the southeast qinghai tibetan plateau |
| topic | species habitat multispecies ecological networks network analysis Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/14/11/2149 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jiaqinzeng constructionandanalysisofmultispeciesecologicalnetworkacasestudyofthesoutheastqinghaitibetanplateau AT kaisu constructionandanalysisofmultispeciesecologicalnetworkacasestudyofthesoutheastqinghaitibetanplateau AT chuangli constructionandanalysisofmultispeciesecologicalnetworkacasestudyofthesoutheastqinghaitibetanplateau AT jielu constructionandanalysisofmultispeciesecologicalnetworkacasestudyofthesoutheastqinghaitibetanplateau AT xuebingjiang constructionandanalysisofmultispeciesecologicalnetworkacasestudyofthesoutheastqinghaitibetanplateau AT yongfayou constructionandanalysisofmultispeciesecologicalnetworkacasestudyofthesoutheastqinghaitibetanplateau |