%0 Journal Article %A HAN Yu %A WANG Qi %A LUO Zun-lan %A GE Jin-song %A XIAO Neng-wen %A SHI Na-na %A HAN Rui-ying %A QUAN Zhan-jun %T Construction and optimization of ecological network for protected areas in Qinghai Province. %D 2018 %R %J Chinese Journal of Ecology %P 1910-1916 %V 37 %N 6 %X The establishment of ecological networks can effectively connect fragmented ecological sources and thus enhance their biodiversity and ecological function. Based on the theories in ecology and conservation biology and the recognition of ecological sources and the establishment of ecological cost surface, a minimum cumulative resistance model (MCR) was used to build apotential ecological network for protected areas in Qinghai Province. The network was evaluated by a gravity model to extract important corridors and by connectivity indices to calculate itsconnectivity. After that, optimized ecological network and measurements were proposed. Results showed that meadows were the most important landscape component of the potential ecological corridors for protected areas in Qinghai Province. The established network increased connectivity among ecological sources. Interaction strength among different ecological sources varied greatly. The larger the interaction strength was, the more important the ecological source was. We proposed a “three nuclei, two verticals and three horizontals” pattern in the ecological network. Optimized measurements of the ecological network were proposed, such as protecting core ecological sources, amending ecological break points, and constructing “stepping stones”. Our results provide a scientific basis for the planning of biodiversity conservation in Qinghai Province. %U http://www.cje.net.cn/EN/abstract/article_23294.shtml