Spatial pattern and screening framework of national park agglomerations in the Greater Shangri-La region, China

Research identifies five distinct national park agglomerations in the Greater Shangri-La region of China, covering 52 protected areas. These agglomerations—Three Parallel Rivers, Shaluli Mountain-Daxue Mountain, Southeast Tibetan Plateau, Liangshan Mountain, and Panxi Rift—exhibit spatial clustering, diverse ecosystem types, and rich natural and cultural heritage. The study introduces a screening framework based on ecoregions, using indicators such as ecosystem characteristics, landscape type, cultural heritage, spatial distance, and protection management to assess these agglomerations. This approach enhances ecological protection by establishing functional connections between protected areas and improving regional conservation strategies. The findings provide a model for global national park agglomeration development.

Li, J., Fu, J., Zhang, Z., Guo, X., Hong, W., Yuan, F., Cong, Y., & Gao, J. (2023). Spatial pattern and screening framework of national park agglomerations in the Greater Shangri-La region, China. Ecological Indicators, 154, 110552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110552