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

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.