The dual challenges of urbanization and ecological protection: a new path for optimizing ecological patterns in semi-humid areas

In semi-humid regions, urban expansion and uneven water distribution cause ecological stress, especially under water scarcity. Establishing ecological security patterns aids ecosystem restoration. Unlike hierarchical approaches, this study normalized data to balance unit/scale differences and incorporated human factors to design ecological corridors. Focusing on Luoyang—a key ecological barrier in Central China—results show: (1) MSPA analysis revealed core landscapes (65.19% area) with high fragmentation and human impact; ten critical patches were identified using dPC/dIIC. (2) Standardized resistance values ranged 0.08–0.72, with higher resistance in south-central zones. (3) MCR and gravity models identified 45 potential corridors (16 primary). (4) Adding 5 nodes and 17 corridors enhanced connectivity. These findings guide urban ecosystem restoration in semi-humid areas.