Ecological security pattern based on remote sensing ecological index and circuit theory in the Shanxi section of the Yellow River Basin

Evaluating the quality and establishing an ecological network are beneficial for maintaining ecosystem health and stability and optimizing the national ecological spatial pattern. This study used morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and the remote sensing ecological index (RSEI) to identify ecological sources (ESs) in the Shanxi section of the Yellow River Basin (SYRB). Comprehensive resistance surface is constructed and corrected based on the index weight. The ecological corridor was identified by the Linkage Mapper tool, and the ecological node and barrier points were determined on the basis of the minimum cost path theory to establish the ecological security pattern (ESP) of the SYRB. 108 ESs were identified, with a total area of 34,157.42 km2. The unevenness spatial distribution of ESs was obvious with concentrated areas of higher elevations and ecological environmental quality. We identified 243 ecological corridors (ECs), totaling 3,259.44 km. The main land use types in the ECs are cultivated land, forest, and grassland. Low-resistance corridors were mainly distributed in the central pearl-shaped basin, connecting the two major source distribution areas to the east and west. The high-resistance corridors were mainly in the southern part of the study area which had highly fragmented ESs at the periphery. We identified 41 ecological pinch points, mainly in the Mianshan Mountain, which plays a key role in energy exchange between ESs. The 26 ecological barrier points, which overlapped with the ECs, obstructed landscape connectivity. A comprehensive “two zones, one belt, and three corridors” ESP was established, providing solid theoretical support and practical guidance for the future sustainable development and enhanced ecological design of the SYRB.