Research on the resilience of ecological networks from the perspective of ecological security pattern: a case study of Wuhan metropolitan area

Sep 30, 2026

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Ecological network resilience, the ability of ecosystems to sustain functional stability under external disturbances, is examined in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area using multi-temporal datasets from 2000 to 2020. The study builds an ecological security pattern evaluation framework to identify ecological source areas from water resources, soil and water conservation, and ecosystem quality. It then derives resistance surfaces, extracts corridors with an MCR model, constructs ecological networks via a gravity model, and evaluates resilience under simulated disturbance scenarios. Results show shifting sources and corridors, strengthening interactions, improved circulation efficiency, and a more efficient stable network structure.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages24

Reading Time1 h 0 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Study Area and Data

Methods: Ecological Security Pattern and Network Construction

Resistance Surfaces and Corridor Extraction (MCR)

Network Construction and Topological Analysis (Gravity Model)

Resilience Assessment under Disturbance Scenarios

Results: Sources, Corridors, and Network Evolution

Discussion and Optimization Strategies

[www. nature.com/scientificreports](www. nature.com/scientificreports) OPEN Research on the resilience of ecological networks from the perspective of ecological security pattern: a case study of Wuhan metropolitan area Yingchao Zhao1, Yucheng Fang1, You Zou1,2􀀍, Guiyuan Li1,2 & Bowen Li3 Ecological network resilience—the fundamental capacity of ecosystems to maintain functional stability under external disturbances—has emerged as a focal topic in regional ecological security research. This study focuses on the Wuhan Metropolitan Area, employing multi-temporal datasets spanning 2000–2020. First, we developed an ecological security pattern evaluation framework integrating water resources, soil and water conservation, and ecosystem quality to identify ecological source areas. Next, we established a three-dimensional evaluation index system encompassing natural environment, human activities, and physical barriers to generate resistance surfaces. The MCR model was applied to extract ecological corridors and construct the source–corridor pattern. The gravity model was employed to construct ecological networks and analyze their topological structures. Finally, ecological network resilience was assessed through simulated disturbance scenarios. The results indicate that: (1) From 2000 to 2020, the number of ecological source areas was 55, 65, and 54, respectively, exhibiting a “rise–then–decline” trend. Spatially, these areas shifted from scattered to concentrated and contiguous. The network’s core nodes evolved from a decentralized to a highly centralized control structure, increasingly influencing overall network resilience. (2) Over the same period, the number of ecological corridors was 1,485, 2,580, and 1,431, respectively, with primary corridors numbering 41, 89, and 139. These corridors exhibited a spatial pattern of“dense in the south and sparse in the north, dense in the periphery and sparse in the center.” Despite the overall decrease, interaction strength increased, species circulation efficiency improved, and a stable ecological corridor ring gradually formed. (3) The ecological network evolved from incremental expansion to quality-and efficiency-oriented enhancement, ultimately forming an efficient and stable structure. Based on these findings, we identified 8 core nodes, 36 secondary nodes, 29 general nodes, and 86 key ecological corridors in the Wuhan Metropolitan Area, leading to the construction of a composite ecological security pattern characterized as “one screen, three cores, three axes, and multiple networks.”Targeted optimization strategies were proposed to inform the sustainable development of composite ecosystem regions and guide the construction of ecological security patterns. Keywords Ecological network resilience, MCR model, Gravity model, Robustness model, Wuhan metropolitan area Under the dual pressures of global climate change and rapid urbanization, the construction of ecological security patterns has become a global priority for sustaining regional development1. The “Global Biodiversity Framework beyond 2020”, proposed under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, emphasizes that developing ecological networks is a critical pathway to enhancing ecosystem resilience2. Meanwhile, China’s 14th Five-Year Plan incorporates the Yangtze River Economic Belt into the national territorial spatial plan, 1School of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China. 2Key Laboratory of Intelligent Health Perception and Ecological Restoration of Rivers and Lakes, Ministry of Education, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China. 3Hubei United Investment Digital Industry Group, Wuhan 430071, China. 􀀍 [email: yzou@hbut.edu.cn](email: yzou@hbut.edu.cn) [www. nature.com/scientificreports/](www. nature.com/scientificreports/) prioritizing integrated river basin management and systematic ecological restoration to promote coordi

FAQs

What time span and study area are analyzed in this research?

The research analyzes the Wuhan Metropolitan Area using multi-temporal datasets covering 2000 to 2020.

How are ecological source areas identified in the study?

Ecological source areas are identified using an ecological security pattern evaluation framework integrating water resources, soil and water conservation, and ecosystem quality.

Which models are used to extract ecological corridors and build ecological networks?

The MCR model is used to extract ecological corridors and form the source–corridor pattern, while the gravity model is used to construct ecological networks and analyze their topological structures.

Sep 30, 2026

Upload by Miles