Integrating pattern, process, and function in urban landscape ecological network planning: A case study of Harbin central city

Scientific planning of landscape ecological networks can promote the overall improvement of urban ecosystems, but the current basis on single index and simple landscape ecological network extraction is not enough to support sustainable urban development. Comprehensively understanding the mechanism of landscape ecosystem operation, this study firstly constructed an urban landscape ecological health (LEH) assessment model integrating pattern, process, and function. Taking Harbin central city as the study area, conducting a LEH practical assessment to provide a scientific basis for its landscape ecological network planning. Secondly, the principal component analysis (PCA), minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model, and hydrological analysis were applied to extract the landscape ecological network. Finally, introducing complex network theory to optimize the network and determine key ecological nodes. The results indicated that (1) The LEH index of Harbin central city decreased from 0.481 to 0.446 from 2011 to 2020, with significant spatial differentiation. (2) 50 source landscapes and 8 sink landscapes were identified, with fewer ecological corridors, 50 source-type ecological nodes and 28 weak-type ecological nodes were selected. (3) Based on the LDF strategy of complex network theory, there were 14 additional ecological corridors, the connectivity and resilience of the landscape ecological network were greatly enhanced, and eight key ecological nodes were identified. (4) The plan presented a spatial pattern consisting of “three rings, four pieces, eight cores, and multiple corridors”, which can maintain the sustainable development of the urban ecosystem. In addition, this study aims to propose a more scientific and efficient landscape ecological network planning framework to provide new ideas for the ecological construction of the central city areas, which are the most profoundly urbanized in the world.