Historical Spatial Radiation Range of the Yongding River Corridor in Beijing Plain Section: Implications for Landscape Patterns and Ecological Restoration

Abstract

The radiation range of the corridor effect holds great significance for the ecological restoration, planning, and sustainable development of river corridors. This study focuses on the Beijing plain section of the Yongding River, which has been cut off for half a century, and improves the research methodology. Utilizing land use data from 1967 and 1980, ArcGIS and Fragstats were employed to establish 5 km buffer zones on both sides of the Yongding River corridor. The buffer zone analysis method was then applied to investigate landscape pattern changes. Through SPSS correlation analysis and curve fitting, sensitive landscape indices were identified, and their change characteristics were analyzed to unveil the historical spatial radiation range and characteristics of the Yongding River corridor. The findings of this research are as follows: First, as the buffer width increases, the landscape pattern changes, showing a decrease in heterogeneity, an increase in aggregation and spread, and a good connection between dominant patches. Forest land exhibited higher levels of fragmentation and dispersion, cultivated land demonstrated improved dominance, and construction land became more regular and dispersed. Second, the spatial radiation range of the landscape level within the river corridor was approximately 4 km. The inflection point for the radiation range on forest land was found at 3.5–4 km, while for construction land, it occurred at 4.5 km. The outcomes of this study can be utilized to evaluate the impact of river corridors on landscape patterns in the period of good historical ecology. They also provide more targeted measures and scientific basis for landscape pattern protection and river ecological restoration planning after the restoration of water flow in the Yongding River plain.