A method of delineating ecological red lines based on gray relational analysis and the minimum cumulative resistance model: a case study of Shawan District, China

Abstract The delineation of ecological red lines (ERLs) is great significance to ensure security and improve the quality environment. However, most current ERL only focuses on natural environment, lacks consideration spatial pattern landscape, there no scientific standard for delineation. From perspective patterns (ESPs), this study proposed an method based gray relational analysis (GRA) minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model. Then taking Shawan District as example, effectiveness was verified by comparing delineated in with that traditional evaluation methods. A total 321.43 km 2 delineated, accounting 67.75% area District, including 69.70 Grade I zones, 251.73 II zones. results show ERLs GRA MCR exhibit better connectivity contain more land. has guiding reference value regional delineation, which conducive decision-making environmental protection departments. Conservation measures different landscapes are targeted constrain people’s productive activities precisely.