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Taking Kenli District of Dongying, China as an example, the ecological source area was determined through the analysis of land use type, habitat quality, ecosystem service value, in 2020. The resistance surface was constructed by stacking DEM data (Digital Elevation Model, DEM) and NDVI data (Normalized Differential Vegetation Index, NDVI) and corrected by night light data. The ecological corridor was constructed by using the minimum cost distance method, and the ecological sandwich point was determined according to the location relationship of each corridor. According to the relationship between the ecological corridor and the road, the ecological obstacle points are determined, and the ecological security pattern is finally constructed. The results showed that there were 263 ecological source areas in the study area in 2020, of 220.6 km2. According to the research needs, 14 wetland patches with an area larger than 10 km2 and greater contribution to ecosystem service value, and habitat quality evaluation were selected as ecological source areas. A total of 91 ecological corridors have been built, with a total length of about 1532.44 km, the longest corridor was about 33.04 km, and the shortest corridor was about 30.8 m. A total of 521 ecological pinch points were identified, including 1 primary node, 115 secondary nodes and 405 tertiary nodes. A total of 424 ecological obstacles were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing an ecological network can help mitigate the habitat fragmentation caused by urban expansion, as well as facilitate the survival and migration of species, which is beneficial for biodiversity conservation. We selected Wanyuan, China, for our study, and three different comprehensive resistance surfaces were generated by applying the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the entropy method (EM), and the spatial principal component analysis (SPCA). Based on these three comprehensive resistance surfaces, three ecological networks were constructed. Then, the ecological networks were quantitatively evaluated to provide a more reasonable theoretical method for the construction of ecological networks in Wanyuan. Meanwhile, the differences between different resistance weighting methods in ecological network construction were discussed. The results indicated that: (1) It was more reasonable to use the SPCA to construct an ecological network in Wanyuan. (2) The weight values generated by the three methods differed significantly. The highest proportion of the AHP was land cover type, consistent with previous research results. However, the weights generated by the SPCA and the EM differed from previous research results. (3) Although the weight proportions of the three methods differed, the distribution areas of high and low values of the three comprehensive resistance surfaces were roughly the same. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate simulation of evapotranspiration (ET) is essential to enhance efficient irrigation management in the maize field. Here, we evaluated the performance of four mathematical models for estimating the ET of maize. The four models based on surface resistance calculate ET from different vapor sources, which are Penman‐Monteith (PM) through the "big leaf" model, the Shuttleworth‐Wallace (SW) model for distinguishing between soil and canopy, the clumping (C) model for distinguishing between canopy, soils under the canopy and bare soil, and the seasonal clumping (Cj) model for dividing ET into transpiration of sunlit leaves and shaded leaves, evaporation of bare soil surface, sunlit soil surface of canopy gap fraction, and canopy shaded soil surfaces. The models were calibrated by ET measured from a weighing lysimeter, transpiration by the sap flux method, and soil evaporation by micro‐lysimeters in 2014, 2015, and 2017. Results showed that the measured daily transpiration was 3.32 mm/day during the full‐grown stage of maize, and the mean measured daily soil evaporation was 1.46 mm/day. The performance of the sap flow for transpiration plus micro‐lysimeter for soil evaporation method was consistent with the large‐weighted lysimeter method in measuring daily ET. For simulating versus measuring hourly transpiration, the Cj model performed better than the C model with a slope of 0.94, determination coefficient (R2) of 0.85, mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.08 mm/h, and modified agreement index (d) of 0.81. In simulating daily soil evaporation, the Cj model also had a higher slope and less MAE than the C and SW models. Nevertheless, the Cj model yielded increased slope and d and decreased MAE between simulated and measured daily ET. The most sensitive environmental factor in the Cj model is temperature. With a 50% increase in temperature, ET, transpiration, and evaporation increase by 45%, 36%, and 69%, respectively. In summary, the Cj model improved the accuracy for hourly and daily ET of maize and helped separate plant transpiration and soil evaporation, thus giving an available approach for precision irrigation in water management of maize planting systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid urbanization negatively affects the eco-land. The topic of accurate zoning and control of ecological space has become a challenge for many countries. This paper uses the idea of ESP to delineate the control system of China's coastal area. First, three types of ecological sources were identified from the aspects of landscape functions' importance, landscape sensitivity, and landscape connectivity. Then, ecological corridors and nodes were identified using the model of minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) based on the resistance surface. Finally, an ecological control zoning system was constructed by using a "bottom-up" transmission mechanism. The results show that: (1) Most of the landscape function-oriented sources and connectivity-oriented sources are located in the south, where habitat quality is superior. Urban construction and agricultural production are the main threat factors to sensitivity-oriented sources. (2) 81.24% of ecological corridors are reticulated, indicating good structural connectivity, and 11 fragile corridors should be specially protected. (3) Among the three second-level of strictly protected areas, the percentage of restoration area and landscape structure maintenance area are 40.19% and 28.47%, indicating the high threat to eco-land and low landscape connectivity; measures are needed to enhance eco-connectivity and increase the resilience of eco-lands. The research constructs a point-line-plane integrated ecological control zoning system, which can provide a scientific basis for the spatial prioritization of coastal ecological protection in China's coastal areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reasonable planning of the limited land resources can promote the coordinated development of social economic and ecological protection. It is very important to optimize the rational distribution of land resources in the arid inland river basin because of the scarce land. In this paper, the GIS technologies of spatial analysis, conversion of land use, and its effects at small regional extent (CLUE-S) and minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model were used to optimize the land allocation. The ecological security pattern (ESP) was constructed through using MCR model, which included ecological source and resistance surface. The dynamics of land use and spatial optimizing allocation of Shiyang River Basin in 2025 and 2030 was simulated under three different optimization scenarios including farmland protection scenario (FPS), free development scenario (FDS), and ecological security pattern scenario (ESPS). It was found that under ESPS, farmland was reduced, but woodland, grassland, and water body were increased significantly. Under FPS, land for construction was controlled effectively, a large part of homestead was converted into farmland, and the potential of unused land was developed vigorously. Furthermore, the current FDS and macro policy guidance should be comprehensively considered. The ESPS was more suitable for the scientific development of Shiyang River Basin on a long view. The combination of CLUE-S and MCR can effectively improve the optimization methods under ecological process and ecological resistance of landscape elements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangroves are located at the intersection of land and sea and are also heavily affected by plastic wastes. Biofilms of plastic wastes in mangroves are reservoirs for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study, plastic wastes and ARG pollution were investigated from three typical mangrove areas in Zhanjiang, South China. Transparent was the dominant colors of plastic wastes in three mangroves. Fragment and film shape accounted for 57.73–88.23% of plastic waste samples in mangroves. In addition, 39.50% of plastic wastes in protected area mangroves are PS. The metagenomic results shows that the 175 ARGs were found on plastic wastes of the three mangroves, the abundance accounting for 91.11% of the total ARGs. The abundance of Vibrio accounted for 2.31% of the total bacteria genera in aquaculture pond area mangrove. Correlation analysis shows that a microbe can carry multiple ARGs that may improve resistance to antibiotics. Microbes are the potential hosts of most ARGs, suggesting that ARGs can be transmitted by microbes. Because the mangroves are closely related to human activities and the high abundance of ARGs on plastic increases the ecological risks, people should improve plastic waste management and prevent the spread of ARGs by reducing plastic pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the basic administrative unit of China, counties have grown rapidly in recent years in the context of rapid urbanization, especially for counties located in mountainous areas. The drastic changes in land in mountainous areas can easily cause irreversible damage to the sensitive ecological environment. Through the dual-objective suitability zoning of ecological and construction balance, regional sustainable land use patterns can be realized. In this study, Hantai District in Southern Shaanxi province, China, was chosen as the research area aiming at creating a balance between ecological supply and the development of construction in spatial planning. A dual-objective process evaluation system for ecological protection and construction development was proposed with 15 resistance factors selected from three attributes: natural ecology, economic society, and policy. The minimum resistance surface discrimination methods for ecological land and construction development land were proposed based on vertical space superposition and horizontal minimum cumulative resistance models. Finally, the land in Hantai District was divided into four development grades from the optimal angle of dual goals, i.e., the construction core zone being 134.56 km2, the suitable construction zone 115.77 km2, the ecological buffer zone 153.74 km2, and the ecological control zone 151.93 km2,using the method combining resistance difference and threshold division. In addition, the development direction of each town under jurisdiction was identified. This study compensates for the deficiency of traditional methods that evaluate land only from a single vertical or horizontal process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ecological connectivity analytical framework based on the ES supply and demand process was constructed; • Spatial distribution of ES supply, demand was mapped, and supply–demand status for the key four ESs was analyzed. • By decomposing the spatial process of ESs flow,the key ecological land as the ecological source was identified. • The ecological connectivity network that can meet human demand for ESs and maintains ecosystem integrity was constructed. Protecting ecosystem integrity and maintaining ecosystem service (ES) supply–demand process through ecological connectivity (EC) is crucial for achieving sustainable development of metropolitan area. Currently, EC research focuses more on the combination of protecting the ES supply and maintaining ecosystem integrity, and less on effectively meeting human needs. To bridge this gap, we integrated the theory of ES supply–demand process, connectivity research methods to form a demand-oriented EC research framework, and conducted empirical research on the Wuhan metropolitan area (WHA). Firstly, we evaluated the supply–demand matches status of the key four ESs; And then, from the aspects of flow quantity, flow direction, flow boundary, and allocation principles, the spatial process of ESs flow were decomposed, and the ecological sources that meet demand while supporting the ESs supply–demand process were identified; Finally, based on the comprehensive resistance surface, connected corridors and important strategic points that are crucial for ecological protection were extracted, and an EC network was constructed. The results were the following:(1) the supply and demand of the key ESs in the study area showed a significant spatial mismatch, especially for water conservation (WC) and carbon sequestration (CS); (2)55 ecological sources, 84 ecological corridors and 25 strategic points were identified, and a stable structurally EC network was constructed; (3) The ecological sources were also crucial for ESs supply while meeting human demand and supporting the spatial process of ESs supply–demand. This research is beneficial for deepening the understanding of the supply–demand status of ESs, and providing a support for ecological lands protection planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Assessment and routing for karst basin areas to promote karst area development. • Extend the indicators of landscape visual quality, ecology, traffic and resource point assessment to the scenic route alignment planning. • Constructing a minimum cumulative resistance model for alignment planning in karst areas. • Linkagemapper tool is applied to scenic byway routing planning. A study of scenic byways, a new form of integrated tourism and transport developing in karst areas, is of great significance for promoting the rational use of landscape resources and sustainable development in karst areas. The rocky karst desertification area of Yunnan-Guangxi-Guizhou in the Nanpan–Beipan River Basin was taken as an example. Here, 16 factors in four dimensions of landscape visual quality, ecological suitability, transport convenience, and accessibility to resource points were selected to construct the evaluation index system of scenic byway routing. Next, a comprehensive resistance surface model was constructed based on the minimum cumulative resistance, which was then combined with the source location to simulate the optimal path and plan route selection for a scenic byway. The study shows that: (1) influenced by topography, traffic network, and resource points, the spatial distribution pattern of resistance in the Nanpan–Beipan River Basin was "low in the middle and high in the surrounding areas;" the low resistance area was mainly distributed in the central part of the watershed around the first-class scenic spots and the traffic network, while the high resistance area was distributed in the southeastern and northwestern parts of the watershed; (2) a total of 494 ecotourism corridors were generated with 273 attractions as the ecological sources, generally showing a distribution pattern of "high in the middle and low in the surrounding areas. Among them, 44 key ecological corridors were centered on valleys, 196 important ecological corridors were centered on water areas with good habitat quality, and 254 general ecological corridors were mainly important landscape types such as woodland, grassland, wetland, etc. and (3) the Karst Scenic Byway constructed in the Nanpan and Beipan River Basins as a whole formed a ring-shaped network, which was divided into the Karst Landscape Ethnic Scenic Byway and the Karst Summer Resort Three-Line Cultural Scenic Byway. This study provides a reference for the planning and construction of the Karst Mountain Scenic Byway in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has swept the whole world with high mortality. Since droplet transmission is the main route of transmission, wearing a mask serves as a crucial preventive measure. However, the virus has spread quite quickly, causing severe mask shortage. Finding alternative materials for homemade masks while ensuring the significant performance indicators will help alleviate the shortage of masks. Referring to the national standard for the "Surgical Mask" of China, 17 materials to be selected for homemade masks were tested in four key indicators: pressure difference, particle filtration efficiency, bacterial filtration efficiency and resistance to surface wetting. Eleven single-layer materials met the standard of pressure difference (≤49 Pa), of which 3 met the standard of resistance to surface wetting (≥3), 1 met the standard of particle filtration efficiency (≥30%), but none met the standard of bacterial filtration efficiency (≥95%). Based on the testing results of single-layer materials, fifteen combinations of paired materials were tested. The results showed that three double-layer materials including double-layer medical non-woven fabric, medical non-woven fabric plus non-woven shopping bag, and medical non-woven fabric plus granular tea towel could meet all the standards of pressure difference, particle filtration efficiency, and resistance to surface wetting, and were close to the standard of the bacterial filtration efficiency. In conclusion, if resources are severely lacking and medical masks cannot be obtained, homemade masks using available materials, based on the results of this study, can minimize the chance of infection to the maximum extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the face of ongoing habitat fragmentation, many primate species have experienced reduced gene flow resulting in a reduction of genetic diversity, population bottlenecks, and inbreeding depression, including golden snub-nosed monkeys Rhinopithecus roxellana. Golden snub-nosed monkeys live in a multilevel society composed of several 1 male harem units that aggregate to form a cohesive breeding band, which is followed by one or more bachelor groups composed of juvenile, subadult, and adult male members. In this research, we examine the continuous landscape resistance surface, the genetic diversity and patterns of gene flow among 4 isolated breeding bands and 1 all-male band in the Qinling Mountains, China. Landscape surface modeling suggested that human activities and ecological factors severely limit the movement of individuals among breeding bands. Although these conditions are expected to result in reduced gene flow, reduced genetic diversity, and an increased opportunity for a genetic bottleneck, based on population genetic analyses of 13 microsatellite loci from 188 individuals inhabiting 4 isolated breeding bands and 1 all-male band, we found high levels of genetic diversity but low levels of genetic divergence, as well as high rates of gene flow between males residing in the all-male band and each of the 4 breeding bands. Our results indicate that the movement of bachelor males across the landscape, along with their association with several different breeding bands, appears to provide a mechanism for promoting gene flows and maintaining genetic diversity that may counteract the otherwise isolating effects of habitat fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many ecologists have demonstrated that building ecological networks (ENs) can resist habitat fragmentation. However, existing studies have not yet explored the directionality of ENs. In this study, we proposed a research framework for the construction and structural evaluation of directed ENs from the perspective of dynamic biological flows. The framework reveals the operational essence of ENs, which is that dynamic biological flows rely on static carriers for directed movement. Thus, this framework overcomes the shortcomings of previous studies that only focused on static carriers and ignored dynamic biological flows. In other words, this study will guide the research of ENs from undirected to directed. The specific research and innovations are as follows. (1) First, the MaxEnt model and InVEST model were combined to evaluate habitat suitability in Wuhan Metropolitan Area (WHM), and 180 species habitats were identified accordingly. A total of 366 potential species migration corridors were extracted based on the identified species habitats and ecological resistance surfaces. (2) Second, we constructed a new relationship function between dynamic biological flows and potential biological flows, species dispersal probability, and species dispersal attraction. The results indicate that dynamic biological flows can serve as the measurement of directionality for directed ENs, and their density and intensity exhibit significant spatial heterogeneity. (3) Finally, we introduced the Chu-Liu/Edmonds' algorithm for complex network analysis to reveal the tree-like structure of directed ENs. The results show that the backbone and branches of directed ENs in WHM are species migration pathways with maximum dynamic biological flows linking global and local habitats, respectively. Meanwhile, the implementation of hierarchical protection according to the tree-like structure of directed ENs can significantly enhance its robustness. [Display omitted] • A conceptual framework of directed ecological networks (ENs) was developed. • MaxEnt and InVEST model were combined to identify species habitats. • Directed ENs was constructed from the perspective of dynamic biological flows. • Chu-Liu/Edmonds' algorithm was applied to reveal the tree-like structure of directed ENs. • Protection priority of ENs was determined based on the structural evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A framework was designed to identify and optimize ecological security patterns. • There was a significant correlation between the WEF nexus and ecosystem services. • Ecological security patterns were identified by assessing ecosystem services related to the WEF nexus. • An optimization scheme of "two belts, three zones and four groups" was proposed from the WEF nexus perspective. Ecosystem services (ESs) associated with the water-energy-food (WEF) nexus influence the ecological security of urban agglomerations. However, how to apply the assessment of ESs relevant to the WEF nexus into the identification and optimization of ecological security patterns still remains unclear. This study assessed the development level of the WEF nexus based on a constructed evaluation index system and the evaluation model combined with game theory and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method. The relevant ESs were selected based on the analysis of stakeholders related to the WEF nexus, and further quantified by the models. On this basis, the relationship between the WEF nexus and ESs was evaluated by Spearman rank correlation analysis. Then this study identified ecological security patterns by following the basic paradigm of "Source identification-Resistance surface establishment-Corridor extraction". Lastly, this study optimized ecological security patterns by considering the WEF nexus. Thus, a methodological framework of identifying and optimizing ecological security patterns from the perspective of ESs related to the WEF nexus was designed, which was applied to the case of the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA), China. The results revealed that the WEF nexus was significantly negatively correlated with ESs. The sources of water yield were in the southwest and central areas of the YRDUA, and those of carbon storage and food production were respectively in the forested and farming areas. The ecological resistance surface displayed a slow declining trend from east to west, and ecological corridors showed a zigzag distribution from north to south. The total length of the ecological corridors was 20,891.45 km. A scheme of "two belts, three zones and four groups" was proposed to optimize the ecological security pattern of the YRDUA. Policy recommendations were therefore put forward in this study to promote the ecological security of urban agglomerations from different perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering impacts of elevated CO 2 -induced increases in surface resistance on potential evapotranspiration (PET), to revisit and attribute the changes in dryness/wetness is necessary for accurately understanding evolutions of the historical and future drying and wetting conditions. Therefore, we comprehensively investigated the historical (1965–2011) and future (2019–2098; including four scenarios) annual dryness/wetness changes through incorporating CO 2 effect into the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations' report 56 (FAO-56) Penman-Monteith and the self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index. During the historical and future periods, China experienced significant wetting (p < 0.05), and moreover the wetting trends prevailed across most (> 70%) of China, especially for each future scenario with >50% of China with significant (p < 0.05) wetting. A joint-solution method with multiple sensitivity experiments was used to separate each driving factor's contribution to annual dryness/wetness changes. Results showed that for the whole China increased precipitation was responsible for the historical and future wetting trends. However, the determinant factors varied spatially. Across China, the historical major contributors were precipitation, wind speed, air temperature and net solar radiation, totally accounting for 97.6% of China. The annual dryness/wetness across China could be attributed to precipitation, air temperature and net solar radiation for SSP1–2.6 and SSP2–4.5, but precipitation and air temperature for SSP3–7.0 and SSP5–8.5. Moreover, through comparing attributions of the annual dryness/wetness changes with and without CO 2 effect, we found that the CO 2 effect could change the determinant factors mainly in eastern China, and the corresponding area percentages increased with the gas emissions, particularly for SSP3–7.0 and SSP5–8.5 with the largest values above 42%. This finding highlighted that the CO 2 effect should be considered when conducting attribution analysis of the changes in dryness/wetness. [Display omitted] • Impacts of the CO 2 effect on surface resistance were incorporated in this study. • The historical and future dryness/wetness changes in China were attributed. • The historical dominant factors were generally precipitation and wind speed at space. • The future dominant factors were generally temperature and precipitation at space. • The CO 2 effect should be considered when attributing dryness/wetness changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A watershed ESPs construction method integrating MCR model and circuit theory from the perspectives of ecosystem services and ecological sensitivity was proposed. • The ecological sensitivity weights of different regions were applied for constructing the ESPs of the YRB. • The distributions of ECs and EPPs presented spatial differences in the ecological environment of the YRB. • The proposal of optimizing ESPs can promote the ecological protection and high-quality development of the basin. Safeguarding ecological security is one of China's important development strategies. Identifying ecological security patterns (ESPs) is an effective way to collaboratively develop ecological and environmental security in different regions. Currently, studies on the construction of regional ESPs mainly focus on the innovation of ecosystem service functions, ignoring the differences in ecological sensitivities of different ecological environments on a large scale. In this paper, taking the Yellow River Basin (YRB) as an example, six important ecosystem service functions were selected to identify ecological sources (ESs), ecological sensitivity weights were set according to the ecological environment characteristics of different regions, and the ecological resistance surfaces (ERSs) were determined. And the ESPs of the YRB were further investigated based on the Minimum Cumulative Resistance (MCR) model and circuit theory. The research findings indicate:(1) We had identified 218 ESs on the YRB, covering an area of 387,165 km2, which was 19.36 % of the entire study area and highly concentrated in the upstream areas. There were 532 ecological corridors (ECs) identified with a total length of 39,015.95 km, with less distribution in the lower reaches of the YRB. There were 201 ecological pinch points (EPPs) mainly in forests and grasslands. (2) ERSs constructed with different sensitivities weights had a significant impact on the distribution of ECs and EPPs. There were significant variations in the ESPs of the YRB. The upstream areas were notably more secure than the middle and lower reaches, indicating an overall lower level of ecological security. (3) Different ecological sensitivity weights were adopted in different regions, which was more suitable for the construction of ESPs with regional environmental differences. This study provides a wise direction for coordinating the ecological protection and achieving high-quality development in the YRB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ecological source area covers 93277 ha, which represents 26.78 % of the total administrative region of Maiji District. • There are 28 significant ecological corridors, with a combined length of 333.80 km. • Identify the ecological restoration pattern of "one belt, one screen, two zones, five corridors, and multiple points". One of the crucial areas of research in land space planning in China is finding ways to coordinate urban development and ecological preservation since the rapid growth of cities has led to numerous environmental issues. It is highly important to enhance the regional ecological environment and economy, thereby improving human well-being, by optimizing the spatial arrangement of ecosystems and identifying areas that need ecological restoration within the national land space. This study was conducted in Maiji District, where a combination of MSPA (Multiple Scale Pattern Analysis) and service function methods were employed to evaluate the ecological resources, identify critical ecological corridors, optimize the ecological security pattern, determine priority areas for ecological restoration in the land space, and formulate strategies for ecological restoration. The results indicated that in Maiji District, the ecological source area covers 93277 ha, which represents 26.78 % of the total administrative region. Within the southeastern part of Maiji District, there are 28 significant ecological corridors, with a combined length of 333.80 km. Based on the existing ecological resistance surfaces, ecological sources, and ecological corridors, a plan for ecological restoration has been developed for Maiji District, known as the "one belt, one screen, two areas, five corridors, and multiple points" ecological restoration pattern. This plan serves as a guideline for identifying suitable areas for ecological restoration, security pattern, and creating restoration plans for the Maiji District land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying impacts of the CO 2 effect on potential evapotranspiration (PET) and offline drought indices from surface resistance perspective is significant for understanding and accessing droughts. This study comprehensively investigated impacts of the CO 2 effect on PET and Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) over China during 1971–2010 based on two simulations with and without CO 2 effect, respectively. We found that the CO 2 effect led to decreased PET and increased SPEI , and decreased drought, which showed strong spatial variations with the greatest impact over northern China (excluding westernmost part for PET). Such spatial variations had functional relationships not only with CO 2 concentration but also climatological conditions, i.e., climatological wind speed (U) and slope of vapour pressure curve (s) for PET , but climatological U , s and precipitation (P) for SPEI. Further analyses implied that climatological U (climatological U and P) determined the spatial variations in the CO 2 effect-induced PET (SPEI) changes over China during 1971–2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We constructed ecological network combining with semi-natural habitat planning. • Construct resistance surface was modified with 'Cultivated Land Use Intensity' • Ecosystem services assessment were used to explore optimal ecological network design. • Optimizing vegetation configuration is critical to improve the benefits of ecological networks. • Forest network accounting 10% area of the region is optimal balancing ecosystem services with yield. In modern agricultural landscapes, constructing 'ecological networks' is regarded as an efficient way to conserve biodiversity and maintain ecosystem services. Here we aimed to develop an approach to design ecological corridor by employing the ecological source - resistance surface - ecological corridor framework in combination with semi-natural habitat planning and ecosystem service trade-off assessment. 'Ecological source patches' were identified based on a 'Remote Sensing Ecological Index' (RSEI) to objectively classify ecological and environmental conditions. Our resulting spatial resistance surface was further modified used based on the 'Cultivated Land Use Intensity' index, to derive a high accuracy and rationality of ecological corridor extraction in agriculture landscape. While planning the ecological network, key nodes and resulting semi-natural habitat (SNH) distribution were identified using Linkage Mapper tools and circuit theory. We constructed ecological network scenarios with different amounts of semi-natural habitats and calculated resulting regional ecosystem service values (ESV) using an equivalence factor method to explore optimal spatial layouts. The results showed, while regional ecosystem service values generally increased in line with semi-natural habitat area contained within the ecological network, ecological networks with forests covering 10% of the total area were predicted as an optimal scenario balancing ecosystem services with agricultural yield in the study region. Networks with mixed forest and grassland cover totaling 20% of the area represented an alternative choice that strongly enhanced regional ecosystem services while may still allowing for high agricultural productivity. In constructing corridors, identifying, restoring and protecting key ecological nodes using targeted management and habitat restoration, while protecting existing wetlands and other water bodies that support regional water cycle and supply services, should be prioritized. Regional policy measures furthermore need to promote targeted ecological network planning to help improve the overall sustainability of agricultural production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • China's biodiversity decrease due to a declined ecological connectivity. • We modeled the resistance surface of human activities based on spatial databases. • Ecological corridors was established to connect natural reserves in national level. • Importance of eco-corridors was ranked with key pinch point identified. • Scenario of priority protection have developed by combining the descending centrality rankings and current resistance. The decline of ecological connectivity poses a challenge for China as it faces a continuous loss of biodiversity. However, this phenomenon also increases the country's natural reserves and afforestation area. With the approval of the national plan for combating climate change and the implementation of the "ecological redline" policy, there is an opportunity to improve China's eco-connectivity with significant investments available for a continuous ecological restoration. However, little research has been conducted with respect to ecological connectivity, thus preventing policy makers from allocating a central investment between provinces for ecological restoration. This study modelled the resistance map against connectivity conservation by quantifying indicators of human disturbance and subsequently derived the national eco-corridor network by using least-cost path methods. A total of 2790 potential eco-corridors, connecting 97% of the protected areas in continental China were extracted. The paper ranked the importance of each eco-corridor for maintaining national ecological connectivity and identified the pinch points with high resistance. Based on the national eco-corridor framework, this paper proposed a two-dimensional coded table to help policy makers conduct effective management. The table also develops scenarios to aid decision makers in allocating central investments in provinces. By prioritizing ecological restoration to enhance ecological connectivity, the established eco-corridor network and scenario analysis will contribute to biodiversity conservation in China. This paper gives policy suggestions on cross-border management and plan implementation of eco-corridors, which helps decision makers in working towards ecological protection in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An ecological network is identified by considering energy flow and cooling capacity. • Ecological networks can be optimized with stepping stones inside the corridors. • Important ecological corridors were distinguished by assessing ventilation potential. • The stability of ecological networks under shocks was simulated in three scenarios. The rapid development of cities has led to severe fragmentation of wetland landscapes, destroying their ecological function in climate regulation. However, most studies on the climate regulation services of wetlands focused on isolated wetland units, ignoring the overall function of wetland networks. The climate regulation function of wetlands can be improved by integrating fragmented wetland resources and building a stable wetland network. A case study was carried out in Changchun City, China, to improve the method of identifying ecological networks by considering the network energy flows. First, morphological spatial pattern analysis and landscape connectivity index combined with the wetland cooling index were used to identify ecological sources with high cooling capacity, and an ecological resistance surface was constructed with surface temperature as the main factor. The minimum cumulative resistance model was then used to identify the ecological network, which was then optimized by integrating patches as stepping stones to form the optimized ecological network. Finally, the importance of ecological corridors was evaluated by identifying ventilation corridors and integrated with the complex network theory to determine the ecological network robustness. We found that the degree of fragmentation in the studied wetlands was relatively high, and that construction of an ecological network with patches as stepping stones can improve its robustness. Each component in the ecological network had a high potential to mitigate the urban heat island effect, which can be further promoted by ecological corridors with high ventilation potential. Mutations in ecological nodes that cause network robustness played a key role in maintaining ecological network stability. This improved methodology effectively improves the scientific and practical application of wetland networks to mitigate the urban heat island effect and provides regions facing the contradiction of rapid development and wetland protection with strategies to reduce the threat of this effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Using big data to correct resistance surface. • Corrected resistance surface can accurately measure heterogeneous megacity. • The efficiency and landscape functions of ESP planning have been enhanced. • Targeted restoration and conservation policies were proposed at a fine scale. Spatial heterogeneity of human activities (SHHA) is part of the heterogeneity of urban ecosystems, which influences the understanding of ecological processes and landscape functions. Few ecological security pattern (ESP) studies have comprehensively measured SHHA and explicitly explained its effect on ESP planning. It affects the efficiency and landscape functions of ESP planning, leading to challenges in maximizing urban development and ecosystem benefits. In this study, Tencent user density (TUD) data considering human activity for all time periods and point of interest (POI) density with fine-scale human activity location information were fused by using wavelet transform as the spatial distribution of human activities. We applied it to correct the resistance surface for ESP planning, then proposed targeted restoration and conservation policies at a fine scale by combining human activities and POIs. The results revealed that the corrected resistance surface could approach the heterogeneous megacity for spatial and functional structures. More importantly, ESP planning based on the corrected resistance surface could enhance efficiency and landscape functions. This research strengthens our understanding of the effect of SHHA on ESP planning. It may provide important insights for policymakers concerning integrated human-natural systems in landscape planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poplar (Populus sp.) plantations have been, on the one hand, broadly used in northern China for urban greening, combating desertification, as well as for paper and wood production. On the other hand, such plantations have been questioned occasionally for their possible negative impacts on water availability due to the higher water-use nature of poplar trees compared with other tree species in water-limited dryland regions. To further understand the acclimation of poplar species to semiarid environments and to evaluate the potential impacts of these plantations on the broader context of the region's water supply, we examine the variability of bulk resistance parameters and energy partitioning in a poplar (Populus euramericana cv. "74/76") plantation located in northern China over a 4-year period, encompassing both dry and wet conditions. The partitioning of available energy to latent heat flux (LE) decreased from 0.62 to 0.53 under mediated meteorological drought by irrigation applications. A concomitant increase in sensible heat flux (H) resulted in the increase of a Bowen ratio from 0.83 to 1.57. Partial correlation analysis indicated that surface resistance (Rs) normalized by leaf area index (LAI; Rs :LAI) increased by 50 % under drought conditions and was the dominant factor controlling the Bowen ratio. Furthermore, Rs was the main factor controlling LE during the growing season, even in wet years, as indicated by the decoupling coefficient (Ω = 0.45 and 0.39 in wet and dry years, respectively). Rs was also a major regulator of the LE = LEeq ratio, which decreased from 0.81 in wet years to 0.68 in dry years. All physiological and bioclimatological metrics indicated that the water demands of the poplar plantation were greater than the amount available through precipitation, highlighting the poor match of a water-intensive species like poplar for this water-limited region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poplar (Populus sp.) plantations have been used broadly for combating desertification, urban greening, and paper and wood production in northern China. However, given the high water use by the species and the regional dry environment, the long-term sustainability of these plantations needs to be evaluated. Currently, the understanding of energy partitioning and canopy resistance to water vapor and CO2 in poplar plantations is limited, impeding an accurate assessment of their true ecosystem functions. This study examined the variability of canopy bulk resistance parameters and energy partitioning over a four-year period encompassing both dry and wet conditions in a poplar (Populus euramericana CV. "74 / 76") plantation ecosystem located in northern China. Available energy (Net radiation Rn minus Soil Heat Flux, G) partitioning to latent (LE) and sensible (H) heat was responsive to climatological drought, with LE/(Rn-G) ranging from 62% in wet years (e.g. 2007 and 2008) to 53% in dry years (e.g. 2006 and 2009), and H/(Rn-G) from 25 to 33% between wet and dry years. Correspondingly, the Bowen ratio (β=H/LE) were 0.83 and 1.57. Surface resistance (Rs) had the greatest response to drought (+43%), but the aerodynamic and climatological resistances did not change significantly (p > 0.05). Partial correlation analysis indicated that Rs was the dominant factor in controlling the Bowen ratio. Furthermore, Rs was the major factor controlling LE during the growing season, even in wet years, as indicated by the decoupling coefficient (Ω = 0.45 and 0.39 in wet and dry years, respectively), and the LE / LEeq ratio ranged from 0.81 and 0.68 in wet and dry years, respectively. In general, the dry surface conditions dominated in this poplar plantation ecosystem regardless of soil water availability suggesting that fast-growing and water use-intensive species like poplar plantations are poorly adapted for the water limited region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With little consideration of both natural and social disturbance in previous studies on Ecological security patterns (ESPs), the identification of conservation priority areas is not accurate enough to enhance the structure and quality of the ecosystem for regional ecological security. To address this gap, this study developed a novel framework of "importance-connectivity-disturbance" to identify ESPs, selecting the Pearl River Delta (PRD) as the study area. Ecological sources were identified by combing ecological importance and landscape connectivity. A more integrated ecological resistance was developed to represent natural and social disturbance, and applied to obtain levels of regional ecological security. Ecological corridors were then extracted and classified using the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and gravity model. The results showed that 9645.77 km2 of ecological sources and 72 potential ecological corridors were determined, and the region with the higher security grade accounted for 19.18% of the entire area. The optimized ESPs of "one ring, two cores, three zones, and four axes" was developed based on key components of ESPs and local socioeconomic conditions. This study provides a novel perspective on the methodology of identifying ESPs and an essential reference for ecological protection and regional development planning in urban agglomerations. [Display omitted] • The resistance surface was established with adequate consideration of the disturbance of nature and society. • Ecological zones with various levels of security were delimited based on the resistance surface. • The width and priority of ecological corridors were analyzed. • ESP showed that ecological corridors barely were overlapped with the highway. • An integrated pattern of development and conservation was proposed based on ESPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from four components of the radiation balance were used to investigate the surface energy budgets for a Carex lasiocarpa mire in the Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China, and the controlling factors of the evapotranspiration (ET) were discussed in detail. During the growing season 2006, the shortwave radiation ( SW↓) reaching the mire surface added up to 2,854.3 MJ m and the net radiation ( Rn) was 1,637.4 MJ m in total, with an average of 9.86 MJ m day. G was the smallest flux at the water-atmosphere interface, with an average of about 0.91 MJ m day, but showed high relative variability, even changing its sign. The latent and sensible heat fluxes (LE and H) amounted to 787.48 and 476.26 MJ m, respectively, and the total sum of LE and H accounted for 77.18% of Rn. By conversion from LE, the average value of ET from the mire was 1.84 mm day, amounting to 298.8 mm. The total ET was almost 60% of the total rainfall in the same period, proving that ET is the primary water consumer in the mire. The growth of C. lasiocarpa was related closely with surface resistance ( r), and analysis of partial correlation indicated that r correlated negatively with leaf area index (LAI) when the interference of the available energy, Rn- G, was removed. There was a strong linkage between r and the evaporative fraction [LE/(LE + H)] as well as Bowen ratio ( β). r was the key factor in controlling the variation of ET and regulating energy partitioning between LE and H. During the whole growing season, r and R− G were the two main factors coupled in ET processes. In spring, r dominated ET processes, and the increase in LAI led to a decrease in r, which in turn accelerated ET as vegetation developed until late August. After August, the available energy controlled the process of ET completely until ET reached an equilibrium in mid-October. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Established an ecological security evaluation framework based onLULC data. • The ecological security index increased from 2000 to 2010, and decreased afer 2010. • Using the results of ecological security assessment to extract ecological sources in Hexi Region. • The protection of ecosystems in areas with intensive human activities should be strengthened. Ecological security assessments are used to reflect the regional ecological security situation because they can provide a basis for the construction of regional ecological security patterns (ESPs). Using the land use/land cover (LULC) data, the ecological security status of the Hexi Region was analyzed. On this basis, the ecological source was extracted, the ecological resistance surface was established, and the ecological corridor and node were identified, and constructed the ESP of the Hexi Region. The results show that: 1) During 2000–2015, approximately 70% of the study area's ecological security index values were <0.1. The ecosystem security levels were higher in the southeast and lower in the northwest. 2) The total area of ecological sources was 6828.75 km2, and it is less distributed in the west; the interconnection degree among the sources was low; and patch fragmentation was obvious. 3) A total of 134 ecological corridors were extracted, with a total length of 15572.8 km2, and 44 ecological nodes were identified. The distributions of the ecological corridors and nodes had spatial consistency and were mainly concentrated in the central and southern parts of the Qilian Mountains. The method of ecological security assessment based on LULC data can be popularized and applied to the evaluation of the ecological security in regions having a lack of research data or difficulty in obtaining data. This study can provide guiding significance for the optimization of ecosystem elements and the improvement of regional ESPs in the study area or other arid areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A new strategy to optimize ecological sources and resistance surfaces was proposed to build ESP. • The optimal diffusion distance of ecological source was analyzed to meet future needs. • Boundary analysis and resistance radial effect were integrated to construct resistance surface. • More reasonable ecological corridor direction was obtained for the construction of ESP. Rapid urbanization would lead to deterioration of the eco-environment and damage the functioning of ecosystem services. Ecological security pattern (ESP) is one of important national strategies in China for coordinating the ecosystem protection and economic development. Previous studies have mainly focused on how to identify ecological sources and extract ecological corridors, but optimization of the identified ecological sources and resistance surfaces are seldom explored. In this study, a new strategy to optimize ecological sources and resistance surfaces was proposed. The optimal diffusion distance of each existing ecological source with poor landscape connectivity was analyzed to meet future needs. The radial effect of resistance in areas with high resistance values were considered in combination with the characteristics of species migration. Hunan is an important province in the Yangtze River Economic Belt (YREB) and the Rise of Central China strategies. Taking a rapidly urbanizing region in Hunan Province as an example, the results showed that the total area of the optimized ecological sources was 9.60% higher than that of the existing area, which expanded the radial range of ecosystem services and enhanced ecosystem internal connectivity. According to the spatial distribution of important ecological landscape elements, the ecological framework of "two axes, four cores, and four belts" was proposed. This study offers a new insight for ESP construction, which can provide a new reference for ecological protection and development planning of rapidly urbanizing regions in central-south China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Severe desertification on the Loess Plateau of China since the 17th century as a result of improper land use has caused critical soil erosion and water shortages in the lower reaches of the Yellow River. To prevent further soil erosion, it is very important to cover the bare land surface with natural vegetation. Evapotranspiration (ET) over the grassland (Stipa bungeana) in Shenmu County of the Loess Plateau during the growing season is estimated to be about 1 mm day–1, and the ratio of ET to reference Evapotranspiration (ET/ET0) is below 0.3. Evaporation from the bare soil surface simulated by a three-layer soil model is less than ET; that is, ET is 1.5 times greater than evaporation from the soil surface during the growing season. This study examines the relationships among the surface resistance r s in the Penman–Monteith equation, solar radiation, vapor-pressure deficit, temperature, wind speed, and soil water content. Surface resistance (r s) is strongly affected by the vapor-pressure deficit and soil water content. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Emissions of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) compounds in East Asia has drastically changed over the last two decades. To assess the influence of the drastic changes in air pollution on ecosystems in Japan, we investigated the trends of S and N deposition during 2003–2017 at remote sites of Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET). We measured wet deposition and inferentially estimated dry deposition of S and N using monitoring data from 2003 to 2017 at eight sites. We estimated dry deposition using the inferential method with an updated parameterization for gaseous surface resistance. The linear regression method and nonparametric Mann–Kendall test was used to analyze the temporal trends based on the monthly data sets. High S and N deposition amounts over 10 kg ha−1 year−1 were frequently found at most sites. There were significant increase trends in N deposition to S deposition (N/S) ratio at all sites throughout the 15-year period. Some trends were significantly found when the 15-year period was divided into three: 2003–2007, 2008–2012, and 2013–2017. S deposition had significantly decreased over a wide area in Japan, especially at Sado-seki, Happo, Oki, Hedo, and Ogasawara, in 2013–2017. Significant decreases in oxidized N deposition at Sado-seki and Oki were also found in 2013–2017. Because of almost flat N deposition mainly contributed by reduced N deposition, the N/S ratio clearly increased. These trends were associated with the recent reductions in SO 2 and NO x emissions in China. The NO x emission reduction of China has not caught up with that of SO 2 , and NH 3 emissions have not been reduced. This caused the significant increases in the N/S ratio not only in 2013–2017 but also in 2003–2017. [Display omitted] • Long-term trends of sulfur (S) and nitrogen (N) deposition were investigated. • S deposition had significantly decreased over a wide area in Japan in 2013–2017. • N/S deposition ratio had significantly increased in many sites in 2013–2017. • These trends were associated with recent emission reductions in China. The ratio of nitrogen deposition to sulfur deposition had significantly increased in Japanese remote areas in 2013–2017, associated with emission reductions in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Furrow ridging fertilization increased grain yield of direct-seeded early indica rice in South China. • Higher yield in furrow ridging fertilization was attributed to high panicle and biomass production. • Furrow ridging fertilization improved the stem lodging resistance compared with surface fertilization and whole-layer fertilization. • Furrow ridging fertilization had the significantly highest lignin content among the fertilization methods. Precision hill-drop direct seeding via mechanical drilling is a novel planting pattern that provides benefits such as high grain yields and lodging resistance in direct-seeded rice in South China, however, the effects of different fertilization methods on yield performance and lodging resistance capacity under mechanical direct seeding systems are still unclear. Hence, a field experiment was conducted over two years with two early indica cultivars to determine the grain yield formation and lodging characteristic of the rice plants under three fertilization methods, including furrow ridging fertilization (FRF), surface fertilization (SF), and whole-layer fertilization (WLF). We found that FRF significantly increased the grain yields of the two cultivars by 6.04 %–28.25 % compared with SF and WLF; this result was attributed to the high panicle and biomass production. FRF also significantly improved the seedling emergence rate of the early indica rice cultivars and increased the aboveground total dry weight and harvest index. In addition, compared with SF and WLF, FRF significantly enhanced the stem lodging resistance of direct-seeded rice cultivars and reduced the lodging index, especially at the third internode. The physical parameters of the stem, including the internode length, thickness and wall thickness, dry weight of internode, and lignin content of the test internodes, improved under FRF due to the high associated breaking-resistance strength and lodging index. These results indicate that furrow ridging fertilization was beneficial for increasing the grain yield and lodging resistance of direct-seeded early indica rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A modified Penman-Monteith method incorporated the CO 2 effect on surface resistance. • Historical and future variations in ET 0 and their attribution were examined. • The dominant factor shifted from wind speed to maximum air temperature after 1993. • The future changes in ET 0 could be dominated by maximum air temperature. Reference evapotranspiration (ET 0) is a key component of the water cycle. In this study, a modified Penman–Monteith method incorporating the CO 2 effect on surface resistance was used to estimate past change in ET 0 in China for 1961–2019 and to project future changes for 2040–2099. A partial-differential equation was used to attribute the changes in ET 0. Results indicated the following. (1) A shift point in the annual ET 0 series occurred in 1993, in which annual ET 0 in China had been decreasing and then increased significantly by −18.93 and 11.19 mm·decade-1 before and after 1993, respectively, with ET 0 having changed most drastically within the temperate continental climate zone. (2) Wind speed and solar radiation were the major dominant factors responsible for the change in ET 0 during 1961–1992, and their contribution rates were 48.30 and 38.92 %, respectively. During 1993–2019, increasing maximum air temperature was the dominant factor contributing to increasing ET 0 , with a contribution rate of 81.71%, yet wind speed was the dominant factor affecting ET 0 changes at 45% of the stations in China. (3) In future projections, maximum air temperature is expected to be the dominant factor influencing the increase in ET 0 , the values of which were projected at 1.49 and 16.05 mm·decade-1 during 2040–2099 under RCP4.5 and 8.5 scenarios, respectively, with projections from five GCMs. The increasing surface resistance response to elevated CO 2 was found to be an important contributor to the decrease in ET 0. Particularly for the RCP8.5 scenario, the increase in surface resistance was found to lead to the decrease in ET 0 by −0.68 mm·year−1 (-42.37%). This suggests that historical and future tendencies towards aridity in China may be considerably weaker and less extensive than previously assumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ecological sources were identified using morphological spatial pattern analysis. • Resistance surface was developed from ecosystem service value. • Ecological corridors were identified using minimum cumulative resistance model. • The ecological network was optimized by similarity search. Ecological infrastructure is a popular framework for conservation planning. In this paper, one of the most urbanized regions of China-Shenzhen was chosen as the study area. Ecological infrastructure with different configurations and functions were identified and combined to form the urban ecological network. The ecological sources were identified using morphological spatial pattern analysis (MSPA) and landscape connectivity analysis. The ecological resistance surface developed from ecosystem service value was modified basing on ecological sensitivity and landscape connectivity. The ecological network was constructed by minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model and then optimized and accessed. The results show that: (1) the ecological network consists of 25 ecological sources distributed mainly in the southeast and west. Twenty-nine ecological corridors were extracted and 36 ecological nodes identified. (2) In the optimized ecological network, 10 new ecological sources were added, and 46 ecological corridors and 59 ecological nodes were identified. It would promote the connectivity of the ecological sources and the stability of ecological functioning process. (3) The ecological network took ecosystem service value and ecological sensitivity into consideration and lays emphasis on improving landscape connectivity, providing an approach to optimizing urban ecological network and contributing to urban planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban expansion is the spreading process of urban construction land overcoming ecological resistance. In this paper, we introduced relative resistance factors on different source levels in the minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR), and considered the inherent constraints and epitaxial ecological resistance on town expansion. Then, we constructed an improved minimal cumulative resistance (IMCR) for urban expansion simulation. The ecological resistance surface of Yuzhong county was formed to simulate the spatial distribution and boundary of town expansion to 2030. The results show: (1) the spatial difference of comprehensive ecological resistance in Yuzhong County is significant, which is decreasing from south to north. The urban expansion is affected by the ecological environment. In addition, the ecological constraints of urban expansion are higher in the areas with better ecological quality. (2) When the ecological constraints are high, the simulated area of urban expansion is smaller than the planned area. On the contrary, when the ecological constraints are low, the simulated area of urban expansion is larger than the planned area. The urban expansion boundary under the planning scenario is relatively straight, simple and rigid, and the town boundary under the ecological constraint scenario is a curve, complex and irregular. (3) The simulation results based on the IMCR model are more in line with reality and reflect the requirements of ecological protection. From the perspective of urban expansion scale and intensity control, the simulation results are more in line with actual needs and reflect the direction of policy regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Habitat fragmentation is one of the key drivers of global biodiversity loss. In this context, connectivity modelling is increasingly important for effective conservation. Most previous studies on connectivity modelling are based on focal species, while fewer studies focus on models based on landscape naturalness or wildness. We propose a methodological framework for wildland network planning, which utilizes the results from wilderness mapping as input data for connectivity models. The least-cost model and circuit model are applied using Linkage Mapper and Circuitscape, with wilderness areas selected as source patches together with resistance values transformed from a wilderness quality index. Taking the Great Taihang region of China as an example, wildland networks are created and pinch-points are identified. We show that the selection of core patches and resistance surfaces have a significant impact on the resulting corridors. The wildland network could serve as an effective and efficient alternative to habitat network and supplement the protected areas network, especially when the species distribution data are lacking, or a rapid assessment is required. This framework for wildland planning could potentially be applied to fragmented landscapes across various countries to eliminate or reduce the negative impacts of habitat fragmentation on biodiversity. Unlabelled Image • A methodological framework for wildland network planning is presented. • Selection of core wild areas and resistance surfaces greatly affect the network. • Wildland network is an effective and efficient alternative to habitats network. • The method is applied to Great Taihang Region in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arid and semiarid region in north China has experienced substantial land cover changes since the early 1980s partly due to the implementation of large-scale afforestation programs and efforts to combat desertification. In this study, micrometeorological observations in a crop land ecosystem (Daman), a mixing forest ecosystem (Hunhelin), a shrub ecosystem (Sidaoqiao) and their adjacent bare land are used to evaluate the surface temperature response to land use change in Heihe River basin. Results indicate that, comparing to bare land, the crop land has a cooling effect about 0.5 ~ 2.2 K, the mixing forest has a cooling effect in the daytime (0.6 ~ 2.3 K) and a warming effect in the nighttime (0.9 ~ 2.3 K) and the shrub land has a cooling effect in the growing season (0.2 ~ 1.2 K) and warming effect in the non-growing season (0.4 ~ 1.7 K). These temperature changes are decomposed into contributions from changes in radiative forcing, heat resistance (Rt), Bowen ratio (or surface resistance), ground heat flux and air temperature change according to the intrinsic biophysical mechanism (IBPM) and the two-resistance mechanism (TRM). Independence between the biophysical forcings is the prerequisite for both methods. The statistic results show that independence between Rt and the Bowen ratio is similar to the independence between the Rt and surface resistance (Rs). Results also show that Bowen ratio change and heat resistance change (ΔRt) are the dominant biophysical forcings, and the nighttime ΔRt is largely up to the radiometric resistance change (ΔRr). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]