Multi-functional coupling-based rural ecological pattern construction and network prioritization evaluation: A case study of Jiangning District, Nanjing

Multi -functional coupling evaluation of land use is the basis of rural land use coordination and allocation, and it is the key to determine the inherent function combination pattern of urban land use and the dynamic trade-offs between functions, which is of great theoretical and practical significance, but a set of feasible coupling methodology has not been constructed for a long time. In this study, we constructed a functional classification system for rural ecological -production -living space (PLES), systematically integrated the accounting function groups of spatial functional values, optimize the ecological sources (ESs) and form an ecological pattern in line with the rural human settlement environment. The topologized network is extracted by using linkage mapper, and the network priority is evaluated by combining with sDNA plug-in. The results of the study demonstrate that:1) Four types of patches, namely, low coupling, antagonistic, friction, and coordinated coupling, with areas of 497.03, 93.38, 434.91, and 287.61 km 2 , respectively, were identified, which provided a theoretical basis for the spatial survival of PLES coupling and the spatial selection of rural source sites. 2) The comprehensive evaluation yielded 20 source sites accounting for 11.05 % of the total area. The overall pattern of ESs is "more at the edge and less in the center ". Compared with the selection based on the dPC results and the minimum area threshold, the combination of the coupling surface results is more adaptable to the development needs of the rural areas under the multiple scenarios. Ecological corridors (ECs) are 46 in number, with a total length of 426.13 km, which are evenly distributed in the region. The construction of ECs in combination with rivers is more in line with the habitat characteristics of Jiangnan water towns, and is conducive to the symbiosis of blue-green ecological space. 3) The priority of the ecological corridor network evaluates 7 preferred corridors, based on the structural optimization perspective, which provides an effective path based on low -impact exploitation for the rapid construction of the habitat network in rural areas. 4) A multi -level composite ecological pattern of "one belt, three corridors and three wedges " was integrated. This study constructed a multi -functional coupled refined evaluation system. It explored the ecological pattern in line with the ecological context of the combination of multi -river and hilly habitats in the rural areas of Jiangnan, and had some innovations in technical methods in the links such as prioritization evaluation. Overall, it created a replicable ecological security pattern construction and optimization path in the same type of area.