Synergistic Enhancement of Carbon Sinks and Connectivity: Restoration and Renewal of Ecological Networks in Nanjing, China

Urbanization has led to a reduction in green space, weakening the region’s carbon sink capacity and stability and bringing a series of ecological problems, making the restoration and improvement of the ecological environment crucial. This study used Nanjing, China, as a case to construct an ecologic...

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Main Authors: Renfei Zhang, Hongye Li, Zhicheng Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Land
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/93
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author Renfei Zhang
Hongye Li
Zhicheng Liu
author_facet Renfei Zhang
Hongye Li
Zhicheng Liu
author_sort Renfei Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Urbanization has led to a reduction in green space, weakening the region’s carbon sink capacity and stability and bringing a series of ecological problems, making the restoration and improvement of the ecological environment crucial. This study used Nanjing, China, as a case to construct an ecological network by applying Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) and the Linkage Mapper (LM) tool based on circuit theory. The connectivity of ecological patches was evaluated by calculating the delta potential connectivity index (dPC). The CASA model (Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach) was applied to quantify carbon sequestration in Nanjing. We propose an innovative carbon sink index (CSI) that integrates three indicators: capacity, efficiency, and variability. This index assesses the carbon sink function of ecological patches from both static and dynamic perspectives. Using the Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) model, we simulated carbon sequestration changes in 2035, providing insights for risk assessment and future optimization strategies. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between node connectivity and both carbon sink capacity and efficiency, indicating that enhancing connectivity at key nodes can effectively improve its carbon sequestration. On this basis, by coupling dPC and CSI indices to classify ecological network nodes, we proposed four strategies for optimization: ecological conservation, structural connectivity, carbon sink improvement, and synergistic enhancement. Finally, by adding 26 ecological stepping stones, 32 ecological corridors, and optimizing landscape components, we achieved dual improvements in both the structural and functional aspects of the ecological network. After optimization, the network connectivity increased by 1.6% and the carbon sink increased by 3.82%, demonstrating a significant improvement. This study emphasizes that by protecting, enhancing, and restoring ecological spaces, the carbon sequestration function and stability of urban ecological networks can be effectively improved. These findings provide valuable insights for the scientific management of ecological spaces in urbanized areas.
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spelling doaj-art-a323f63fbbd24a319911f87ea71939b12025-01-24T13:37:52ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-01-011419310.3390/land14010093Synergistic Enhancement of Carbon Sinks and Connectivity: Restoration and Renewal of Ecological Networks in Nanjing, ChinaRenfei Zhang0Hongye Li1Zhicheng Liu2School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, ChinaUrbanization has led to a reduction in green space, weakening the region’s carbon sink capacity and stability and bringing a series of ecological problems, making the restoration and improvement of the ecological environment crucial. This study used Nanjing, China, as a case to construct an ecological network by applying Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) and the Linkage Mapper (LM) tool based on circuit theory. The connectivity of ecological patches was evaluated by calculating the delta potential connectivity index (dPC). The CASA model (Carnegie–Ames–Stanford approach) was applied to quantify carbon sequestration in Nanjing. We propose an innovative carbon sink index (CSI) that integrates three indicators: capacity, efficiency, and variability. This index assesses the carbon sink function of ecological patches from both static and dynamic perspectives. Using the Future Land Use Simulation (FLUS) model, we simulated carbon sequestration changes in 2035, providing insights for risk assessment and future optimization strategies. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between node connectivity and both carbon sink capacity and efficiency, indicating that enhancing connectivity at key nodes can effectively improve its carbon sequestration. On this basis, by coupling dPC and CSI indices to classify ecological network nodes, we proposed four strategies for optimization: ecological conservation, structural connectivity, carbon sink improvement, and synergistic enhancement. Finally, by adding 26 ecological stepping stones, 32 ecological corridors, and optimizing landscape components, we achieved dual improvements in both the structural and functional aspects of the ecological network. After optimization, the network connectivity increased by 1.6% and the carbon sink increased by 3.82%, demonstrating a significant improvement. This study emphasizes that by protecting, enhancing, and restoring ecological spaces, the carbon sequestration function and stability of urban ecological networks can be effectively improved. These findings provide valuable insights for the scientific management of ecological spaces in urbanized areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/93carbon sink indexlandscape connectivityecological network optimizationmulti scenario simulationurban planning
spellingShingle Renfei Zhang
Hongye Li
Zhicheng Liu
Synergistic Enhancement of Carbon Sinks and Connectivity: Restoration and Renewal of Ecological Networks in Nanjing, China
Land
carbon sink index
landscape connectivity
ecological network optimization
multi scenario simulation
urban planning
title Synergistic Enhancement of Carbon Sinks and Connectivity: Restoration and Renewal of Ecological Networks in Nanjing, China
title_full Synergistic Enhancement of Carbon Sinks and Connectivity: Restoration and Renewal of Ecological Networks in Nanjing, China
title_fullStr Synergistic Enhancement of Carbon Sinks and Connectivity: Restoration and Renewal of Ecological Networks in Nanjing, China
title_full_unstemmed Synergistic Enhancement of Carbon Sinks and Connectivity: Restoration and Renewal of Ecological Networks in Nanjing, China
title_short Synergistic Enhancement of Carbon Sinks and Connectivity: Restoration and Renewal of Ecological Networks in Nanjing, China
title_sort synergistic enhancement of carbon sinks and connectivity restoration and renewal of ecological networks in nanjing china
topic carbon sink index
landscape connectivity
ecological network optimization
multi scenario simulation
urban planning
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/1/93
work_keys_str_mv AT renfeizhang synergisticenhancementofcarbonsinksandconnectivityrestorationandrenewalofecologicalnetworksinnanjingchina
AT hongyeli synergisticenhancementofcarbonsinksandconnectivityrestorationandrenewalofecologicalnetworksinnanjingchina
AT zhichengliu synergisticenhancementofcarbonsinksandconnectivityrestorationandrenewalofecologicalnetworksinnanjingchina