Spatiotemporal Changes in Ecological Network Structure and Enhancing Territorial Space Management in Guilin, China

Accelerated urbanization and the excessive exploitation of the tourism industry are leading to a diminution of ecological spaces in tourist cities. Ecological networks are an effective method for improving patch connectivity and maximizing ecological space. However, previous research on ecological networks predominantly focuses on static snapshots, ignoring the fact that ecological networks are landscape entities with considerable spatiotemporal and structural dynamics changes. To fill this gap, we first constructed ecological networks of Guilin in 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, employing the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and tradeoffs (InVEST) model, the morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) method, and circuit theory. Subsequently, we analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution of the ecological networks and proposed strategies for improving territorial space management. The results showed that ecological sources and corridors were generally decreasing in both number and areas (length), coupled with a notable increase in the number of ecological pinch points and barriers over the 30-year period. The spatiotemporal dynamics of ecological corridors, pinch points, and barriers were associated with ecological sources. Structural evaluation of the ecological networks revealed that during 1990~2020, the value of α (network closure) exceeded 0.7, the value of β (line point rate) surpassed 2, and the value of γ (network connectivity) was greater than 0.8, indicating robust overall connectivity within the ecological networks. The observed decline in these three indicators over time suggested a reduction in connectivity and the available dispersal pathways for species within the ecological networks, highlighting the need for protective measures and optimization strategies. Consequently, the ecological network conservation strategies and the development of ecological patterns were proposed to enhance ecological space management in Guilin. This study addresses a critical knowledge gap in the dynamics of ecological networks and offers valuable insights for mitigating habitat fragmentation and enhancing ecological space management of tourist cities.