The study of ecological security patterns (ESPs) is of great significance for improving the value of ecosystem services and promoting both ecological protection and high-quality socio-economic development. As an important part of the “Loss Plateau-Sichuan-Yunnan Ecological Barrier” and “Northern Sand Control Belt” in the national security strategic pattern, there is an urgent need to study the ESPs on the Loess Plateau. Based on a remote sensing dataset, this study identified the ESPs at different spatial scales, and analyzed the similarities and differences of ecological sources, corridors, and key strategic points, so as to better inform the development and implantation of macro and micro ecological protection strategies. When taken as a whole unit, we identified 58 ecological sources (areas with higher levels of ecosystem services) on the Loess Plateau (total area of 57,948.48 km2), along with 134 corridors (total length of 14,094.32 km), 1325 pinch points (total area of 315.01 km2), and 2406 barrier points (total area of 382.50 km2). When splits into ecoregions, we identified 108 sources (total area of 67,892.51 km2), 226 corridors (total length of 13,403.49 km), 2801 pinch points (total area of 851.07 km2, and 3657 barrier points (total area of 800.70 km2). Human activities and land use types are the main factors influencing the number and spatial distribution of corridors, ecological pinch points, and barrier points. ESPs constructed at different spatial scales are broadly similar, but significant differences among details were identified. As such, when formulating ecological protection and restoration strategies, the spatial scale should be considered. Moreover, specific programs should be determined based on ESP characteristics to maximize the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem integrity from multiple perspectives and directions.

Exploring the spatiotemporal variation in vegetation net primary productivity (NPP), analyzing the relationships between NPP and its influencing factors, and evaluating the vegetation carbon sink capacity are vital for ecological protection and restoration in Shaanxi Province, an area in China with a complex environment. In this study, the Mann-Kendall trend test, difference analysis, and variation stability analysis were used to analyze the spatiotemporal variation in NPP; partial correlation analysis and a land use change matrix were used to analyze the relationships between NPP and its influencing factors; and an estimation model of net ecosystem productivity (NEP) was used to evaluate the carbon sink capacity of vegetation based on the NPP product of the MOD17A3HGF dataset. The following results were obtained. (1) The average annual NPP in Shaanxi showed an increasing trend from 2000 to 2019, and its variation stability showed an increasing trend from the north to the south. (2) The average annual NPP in the south was higher than that in the north, but the increased amplitude of NPP was higher in the north and lower in the south. (3) The vegetation carbon sink capacity in Shaanxi showed an increasing trend from 2000 to 2019, and it was high in the south and low in the north. (4) NPP was more sensitive to precipitation than temperature in Shaanxi, and NPP showed a bimodal variation with elevation. The NPP changes caused by land use were related to the structural differences and the transfer between different land use types. This study provides a new perspective for the simultaneous study of spatiotemporal variation in NPP and carbon sink capacity under different natural conditions and the exploration of the factors influencing this variation. These findings are valuable for the scientific assessment of regional vegetation productivity and carbon sink capacity, as well as for the formulation of development strategies based on local realities. Our results indicate that the ecological environment in Shaanxi continuously improved in recent years, and further improvements to water resource conditions and ecological construction efforts are essential for improving the NPP and carbon sink capacity in Shaanxi.

In recent years, market-oriented allocation of land has been promoted to support rural revitalization and urban–rural integrated development. To follow the path of sustainable development, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of resource utilization and to rationally allocate and use resources on the premise of ensuring the sustainable use of resources. This study aims to measure the degree of land marketization in Shaanxi Province, China during the period 2008–2019 and analyze its driving forces. The methods used include Gray Relation Analysis and Hot Spot Analysis. The MK trend method was used to analyze the average area of land acquired through Bidding–Listing–Auction (B-L-A), protocol, and allocation methods. The results show that the land marketization level in Shaanxi declined from 2008 to 2014 and fluctuated upwards from 2014 to 2019. In addition, B-L-A transactions increased across the province. There was little spatial heterogeneity of land marketization, but southern Shaanxi had less land marketization than the other key areas. Urbanization, non-agricultural output, and foreign direct investment were found to be the main driving factors of land marketization, while the influence of fixed asset investment and per capita disposable income declined each year. Based on these findings, we suggest that there is a need for land management reforms and urbanization efforts to encourage land marketization in southern Shaanxi. Further, we suggest that northern Shaanxi would benefit from optimizing the land use structure and focusing on the energy land market. This study also provides theoretical support for realizing the reform of the marketization of national land elements, the healthy operation of urban land marketization, and sustainable urban and rural development.