Identification of key areas for ecological restoration based on ecological carrying capacity and ecological security pattern: A case study of Baoding, the central city of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei world-class urban cluster

• Baoding serves as a vital ecological shield for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban cluster. • Key areas for prioritized ecological restoration and protection were identified. • A pattern of “one core, one shield, three zones, nine belts, and multiple corridors” was proposed. • A “node-corridor-source” restoration and protection strategy was developed. Accurately identifying and scientifically delineating key areas for ecological restoration and protection, coupled with the organized execution of terrestrial ecological restoration initiatives, is a strategic priority for advancing ecological civilization and ensuring national ecological security. This study focused on Baoding, the core city of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei world-class urban cluster, and integrated urban ecological carrying capacity evaluation with ecological security pattern construction to accurately identify crucial ecological regions that required prioritized restoration efforts. The findings revealed that, from 2019 to 2022, Baoding’s ecological carrying capacity exhibited an upward trend, though it remained at a relatively low level overall, with significant spatial heterogeneity. Additionally, the study identified key ecological restoration areas, including 2,509.02 km 2 of ecological sources, 76 ecological corridors, 31 pinch points, 60 barrier points, and 170 breakpoints. Based on these results, an ecological restoration and protection pattern consisting of “one core, one shield, three zones, nine belts, and multiple corridors” was constructed. Furthermore, a multi-tiered ecological restoration and protection strategy, centered on the “node-corridor-source” framework, was proposed in light of the land use conditions in these key restoration areas. In particular, the recommended ecological corridor width ranges from 30 to 100 m in Baoding. This study provides a methodological foundation and practical guidance for ecological restoration and protection efforts in Baoding and the wider Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region.