Ningbo's Green Web: How Urban Growth Changed Its Natural Links

Ningbo, a bustling city in China, has seen its urban areas grow rapidly. This growth has taken a toll on the natural environment. To tackle this, experts decided to create ecological networks. These networks help connect different parts of the landscape, protect various species, and support the region's long-term development. The study focused on Ningbo and used special tools like GIS and MSPA to find key ecological areas. These areas are crucial for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health. The research also used a model called Linkage Mapper to figure out how these areas are connected. From 2000 to 2020, Ningbo saw big changes in how land was used. The landscape became more complex and fragmented. The main ecological areas were found in the west, south, and along the Hangzhou Bay coast. These areas were not evenly spread out, with more concentration in the east and west. The number of main ecological corridors in Ningbo dropped from 26 to 17 between 2000 and 2020. In 2000, these corridors were mostly in the central, southern, and western parts of the city. By 2020, they were mainly in the south. This shift weakened the connection between the northern and southern ecological areas, making it harder for species to move around and affecting the stability of the ecosystem. After some tweaks, the plan included 12 ecological corridors, 4 ecological nodes, 67 breakpoints, and 4 stepping stone patches. The study looked at how land use and landscape patterns changed over time to understand Ningbo's ecological network better. The suggested improvements fit well with the city's current development plans, providing a useful guide for future ecological protection efforts. The rapid urbanization in Ningbo has led to significant changes in its ecological landscape. The study highlights the importance of creating and maintaining ecological networks to support biodiversity and ecosystem health. By understanding these changes, cities like Ningbo can better plan for sustainable development while protecting their natural environment.