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Journal of Desert Research ›› 2025, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (2): 61-70.DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-694X.2024.00107

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Construction and optimization of ecological network of the Heihe River BasinGansu section

Aokang Xu1,2(), Tianqi Ji3(), Jing Shi2   

  1. 1.State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics,Department of Geology,Northwest University,Xi′an 710069,China
    2.College of Geography and Environmental Science,Northwest Normal University,Lanzhou 730070,China
    3.College of Earth and Environmental Science,Lanzhou University,Lanzhou 730000,China
  • Received:2024-04-29 Revised:2024-11-11 Online:2025-03-20 Published:2025-03-26
  • Contact: Tianqi Ji

Abstract:

Ecological network identification and optimization is an important research method to ensure regional ecological security pattern and carry out territorial ecological protection and restoration. Especially for the ecologically fragile inland river basin, the optimization of ecological network is of great significance to ensure regional ecological security and promote the virtuous cycle of ecosystem. Based on the ecosystem services and circuits theory, this study constructs the ecological network of Gansu section of Heihe River Basin, and puts forward the corresponding strategies for the existing problems and protection of the region. The results indicate that: (1) 10 important ecological source areas were identified with an area of 17 649.16 km2, accounting for 90.11% of the total area of the source area, mainly distributed in the southern Qilian Mountain area and the middle and lower reaches of the oasis area. 51 common ecological sources were identified, with an area of 1 936.83 km2, accounting for 9.89% of the total area of the source, mainly distributed in the radiating grassland area of the important source. (2) Twenty-seven first-level ecological corridors were extracted, with a total length of 204.86 km, mainly distributed in the transition zone between mountain and oasis in the basin. There are 105 secondary ecological corridors with a total length of 1 260.68 km, which are the main components of the framework of regional ecological network. 103 and 31 ecological pinch points and barriers were identified by consensus, with a total area of 28.48 km2 and 87.39 km2, respectively, mainly distributed in the western Qilian Mountains and the desert area with serious desertification. (3) The low supply and high demand of the basin account for 8.2% of the total area of the basin, which is mainly distributed in the desert oasis transition zone, and its protection and optimization can reduce the degradation risk of the ecological network to a certain extent.

Key words: ecological network, circuit theory, ecosystem services, Heihe River Basin

CLC Number: