Changes in ecological networks and eco-environmental effects on urban ecosystem in China’s typical urban agglomerations

Exploring the changes in ecological networks (ENs), its eco-environment effects and the differences in urban agglomerations in various urbanization stages are important for achieving sustainable ecosystem management and a better layout of ecological network. In this study, China’s three typical urbanization agglomerations, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration (BTH), Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration (YRD), and Pearl River Delta urban agglomeration (PRD), were selected as the study area. Spatiotemporal changes in ENs, the changing patterns, its eco-environment effects, and impacts of rapid urbanization were analyzed by environment indices, buffer analysis, and correlation analysis. The results showed a great lost in ENs from 2000 to 2015. Four patterns were seen in changing ENs: decomposition process (DP), internal change process (ICP), polycondensation process (PP), and external change process (ECP). ICP was dominated in YRD and PRD. ECP was the main pattern in core areas of BTH. The correlation analysis with YRD as the example showed that the changes in ENs had a certain impact on the eco-environment, especially in the 10-km buffer zone. The decrease of ENs was related to the increase of developed land, and the closer to the core area, the higher the correlation coefficient was. Reduction of ENs would slow down to a certain extent, when the agglomeration is in a higher urbanization stage. Different directions of restoration and optimization of ENs were proposed for the three urban agglomerations. The study will provide support for sustainable management and restoration and optimization of ENs for China’s agglomerations.