A Multi‐Criteria Framework for Identifying Ecological Conservation Priorities to Enhance Human–Land System Coupling in Shaanxi Province, China

ABSTRACT Translating global commitments of Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework into local action into effective local action requires the scientifically sound identification and management of priority areas for ecological conservation. A key challenge lies in developing a robust multi‐criteria methodology that can systematically address the complex spatial conflicts between human activities and conservation targets. Building on assessments of ecosystem service supply and demand, urbanization, and their synergistic coupling, this study developed a multi‐criteria spatial framework to identify priority conservation areas and evaluate different conservation scenarios for Shaanxi Province, China. The results showed that areas with high ecological importance and feasibility were primarily concentrated in southern Shaanxi, covering 21.22% and 55.84% of the province's total area, respectively. In contrast, zones of high ecological vulnerability were primarily located within the Guanzhong urban area, especially the Xi'an metropolitan area, accounting for 25.28% of the province. High‐priority conservation areas were largely identified in southern Shaanxi, particularly within the northern hills of the Qinling and Qinba Mountains. As the conservation scenario expanded from Nature Reserves ( NR ) to China Biodiversity Conservation Strategy and Action Plan ( CBCSAP ), these priority areas exhibited a spatial pattern of gradual expansion from south to north, with priority decreasing from core zones to the periphery. Both functional and structural landscape connectivity showed a general upward trend with increasing protected area coverage. The CBCSAP conservation scenario was found to achieve the multi‐objective goals of maximizing ecological benefits and maintaining robust landscape connectivity. Within this scenario, the most connected patches were primarily located in southern Shaanxi, encompassing 78.36% of the total area considered. This study proposes an effective framework for identifying regional priority conservation areas, offering a scientific basis for regional ecological conservation and spatial planning decisions.