IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i23p15921-d987842.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Strategies for Restoring and Managing Ecological Corridors of Freshwater Ecosystem

Author

Listed:
  • Qiaoyan Lin

    (The XIPU Institution, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China)

  • Yu Song

    (The XIPU Institution, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China
    Department of China Studies, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China)

  • Yixin Zhang

    (Department of Landscape Architecture, Gold Mantis School of Architecture, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China)

  • Jian Li Hao

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Design School, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou 215123, China)

  • Zhijie Wu

    (Research Institute for Environmental Innovation (Suzhou), Tsinghua, RIET, Suzhou 215163, China)

Abstract

Along with accelerating urbanization and associated anthropogenic disturbance, the structure and function of freshwater ecosystems worldwide are substantially damaged. To improve ecosystem health, and thus enhance the ecosystem security of the urban ecosystem, numbers of management approaches and engineering projects have been applied to mitigate the degradation of freshwaters. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic research on the ecological corridor restoration of freshwater ecosystems; especially for Suzhou Grand Canal, one section of the world’s longest and ancient Grand Canal which is inclined to severe ecosystem degradation. Through investigating the adjacent land use characteristics, habitat quality, vegetation cover, instream water quality, and habitat composition, we aimed to: (i) assess the water quality of the Suzhou Grand Canal; (ii) evaluate the ecological characteristics of the canal ecosystem; (iii) develop strategic countermeasures to restore the ecological corridors for the mitigation of ecological problems. The results demonstrated: a large built area, a smaller ecological zone, a low habitat quality and habitat connectivity, and a high degree of habitat fragmentation within the canal corridor, also a simplified instream habitat composition, and greater nutrient and COD concentrations in the surface water—especially in the upstream and midstream canal. All urbanization-induced multiple stressors, such as land use changes, altered hydrology, and the simplified riparian zone et al., contributed synergistically to the degradation of the canal ecosystem. To alleviate the ecosystem deterioration, three aspects of recommendations were proposed: water pollution control, watershed ecosystem restoration, and ecological network construction. Basically, building a comprehensive watershed ecological network—on the basis of associated ecosystem restoration, and the connection of multi-dimensional ecological corridors—would dramatically increase the maintenance of aquatic–terrestrial system biodiversity, and improve the regional ecological security pattern and watershed resilience toward stochastic future disturbances. This study contributes to the understanding of the ecological challenges and related causes of the canal ecosystem. The integrated strategy introduced in this study provides policymakers, water resource managers, and planners with comprehensive guidelines to restore and manage the ecological corridor of the canal ecosystem. This can be used as a reference in freshwater ecosystems elsewhere, to improve ecosystem stability for supporting the sustainable development of urban ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiaoyan Lin & Yu Song & Yixin Zhang & Jian Li Hao & Zhijie Wu, 2022. "Strategies for Restoring and Managing Ecological Corridors of Freshwater Ecosystem," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-19, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15921-:d:987842
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/23/15921/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/23/15921/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jun Xia & Yong-Yong Zhang & Chesheng Zhan & Ai Zhong Ye, 2011. "Water Quality Management in China: The Case of the Huai River Basin," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(1), pages 167-180, March.
    2. B. Mazzorana & A. Nardini & F. Comiti & G. Vignoli & E. Cook & H. Ulloa & A. Iroumé, 2018. "Toward participatory decision-making in river corridor management: two case studies from the European Alps," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 61(7), pages 1250-1270, June.
    3. Qi Han & Xiaogang Wang & Yun Li & Zhengxian Zhang, 2022. "River Ecological Corridor: A Conceptual Framework and Review of the Spatial Management Scope," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-21, June.
    4. Soon-Jin Hwang, 2020. "Eutrophication and the Ecological Health Risk," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-6, August.
    5. Xavier Garcia & David Pargament, 2015. "Rehabilitating rivers and enhancing ecosystem services in a water-scarcity context: the Yarqon River," International Journal of Water Resources Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(1), pages 73-87, March.
    6. Rong Guo & Tong Wu & Mengran Liu & Mengshi Huang & Luigi Stendardo & Yutong Zhang, 2019. "The Construction and Optimization of Ecological Security Pattern in the Harbin-Changchun Urban Agglomeration, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-18, April.
    7. Gagan Matta & Sachin Srivastava & R. R. Pandey & K. K. Saini, 2017. "Assessment of physicochemical characteristics of Ganga Canal water quality in Uttarakhand," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 19(2), pages 419-431, April.
    8. Feng Tang & Xu Zhou & Li Wang & Yangjian Zhang & Meichen Fu & Pengtao Zhang, 2021. "Linking Ecosystem Service and MSPA to Construct Landscape Ecological Network of the Huaiyang Section of the Grand Canal," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-23, August.
    9. Tang, Feng & Wang, Li & Guo, Yiqiang & Fu, Meichen & Huang, Ni & Duan, Wensheng & Luo, Ming & Zhang, Jianjun & Li, Wang & Song, Wei, 2022. "Spatio-temporal variation and coupling coordination relationship between urbanisation and habitat quality in the Grand Canal, China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    10. Andrew Gregory & Emma Spence & Paul Beier & Emily Garding, 2021. "Toward Best Management Practices for Ecological Corridors," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-25, February.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Xi Wei & Wei Song & Ya Shao & Xiangwen Cai, 2022. "Progress of Ecological Restoration Research Based on Bibliometric Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-21, December.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. G. Gnanachandrasamy & C. Dushiyanthan & T. Jeyavel Rajakumar & Yongzhang Zhou, 2020. "Assessment of hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in the lower Vellar river basin: using Geographical Information System (GIS) and Water Quality Index (WQI)," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 759-789, February.
    2. Sanja Gašparović & Ana Sopina & Anton Zeneral, 2022. "Impacts of Zagreb’s Urban Development on Dynamic Changes in Stream Landscapes from Mid-Twentieth Century," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-25, May.
    3. Xinke Wang & Xiangqun Xie & Zhenfeng Wang & Hong Lin & Yan Liu & Huili Xie & Xingzhao Liu, 2022. "Construction and Optimization of an Ecological Security Pattern Based on the MCR Model: A Case Study of the Minjiang River Basin in Eastern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-20, July.
    4. Qian Zuo & Yong Zhou & Jingyi Liu, 2022. "Construction and Optimization Strategy of an Ecological Network in Mountainous Areas: A Case Study in Southwestern Hubei Province, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-27, August.
    5. Jinxin Sun & Mei Han & Fanbiao Kong & Fan Wei & Xianglun Kong, 2023. "Spatiotemporal Analysis of the Coupling Relationship between Habitat Quality and Urbanization in the Lower Yellow River," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-16, March.
    6. Xiaoqing Zhao & Qifa Yue & Jianchao Pei & Junwei Pu & Pei Huang & Qian Wang, 2021. "Ecological Security Pattern Construction in Karst Area Based on Ant Algorithm," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-21, June.
    7. Yiqun Wu & Yuan Sun & Congyue Zhou & Yonghua Li & Xuanli Wang & Huifang Yu, 2023. "Spatial–Temporal Characteristics of Carbon Emissions in Mixed-Use Villages: A Sustainable Development Study of the Yangtze River Delta, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(20), pages 1-21, October.
    8. Jinxin Liu & Qinghao Jin & Junfeng Geng & Jianxin Xia & Yanhong Wu & Huiying Chen, 2023. "Fast Capture and Efficient Removal of Bloom Algae Based on Improved Dielectrophoresis Process," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, January.
    9. Yaobin Wang & Ruitao Zhao & Ying Li & Rong Yao & Ruoxue Wu & Wenlin Li, 2023. "Spatial and Temporal Heterogeneity of Rural Habitat Level Evolution and Its Influencing Factors—A Case Study of Rural Villages in Nature a Reserve of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-25, March.
    10. Lihua Chen & Yuan Ma, 2023. "How Do Ecological and Recreational Features of Waterfront Space Affect Its Vitality? Developing Coupling Coordination and Enhancing Waterfront Vitality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-18, January.
    11. Xiaoyang Liu & Ming Wei & Jian Zeng, 2020. "Simulating Urban Growth Scenarios Based on Ecological Security Pattern: A Case Study in Quanzhou, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-20, October.
    12. Wusheng Zhao & Peiji Shi & Ya Wan & Yan Yao, 2023. "Coupling and Coordination Relationship between Urbanization Quality and Ecosystem Services in the Upper Yellow River: A Case Study of the Lanzhou–Xining Urban Agglomeration, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(5), pages 1-20, May.
    13. Zhenfeng Wang & Yan Liu & Xiangqun Xie & Xinke Wang & Hong Lin & Huili Xie & Xingzhao Liu, 2022. "Identifying Key Areas of Green Space for Ecological Restoration Based on Ecological Security Patterns in Fujian Province, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-19, September.
    14. Liang Lv & Shihao Zhang & Jie Zhu & Ziming Wang & Zhe Wang & Guoqing Li & Chen Yang, 2022. "Ecological Restoration Strategies for Mountainous Cities Based on Ecological Security Patterns and Circuit Theory: A Case of Central Urban Areas in Chongqing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-21, December.
    15. Yi Tang & Yang Pan & Lei Zhang & Hongchen Yi & Yiping Gu & Weihao Sun, 2023. "Efficient Monitoring of Total Suspended Matter in Urban Water Based on UAV Multi-spectral Images," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 37(5), pages 2143-2160, March.
    16. Cheng Zhong & Yiming Bei & Hongliang Gu & Pengfei Zhang, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Evolution of Ecosystem Services in the Wanhe Watershed Based on Cellular Automata (CA)-Markov and InVEST Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-18, October.
    17. Xinyi Wang & Fenzhen Su & Fengqin Yan & Xinjia Zhang & Xuege Wang, 2022. "Effects of Coastal Urbanization on Habitat Quality: A Case Study in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-24, December.
    18. Rui Ding & Kai Yu & Ziwu Fan & Jiaying Liu, 2022. "Study and Application of Urban Aquatic Ecosystem Health Evaluation Index System in River Network Plain Area," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-11, December.
    19. Jia Xu & Dawei Xu & Chen Qu, 2022. "Construction of Ecological Security Pattern and Identification of Ecological Restoration Zones in the City of Changchun, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-20, December.
    20. Xiaonan Niu & Huan Ni & Qun Ma & Shangxiao Wang & Leli Zong, 2022. "Identifying Ecological Security Patterns Based on Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand Using Remote Sensing Products (Case Study: The Fujian Delta Urban Agglomeration, China)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-23, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15921-:d:987842. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.