Regional Eco-Security Assessment Based on the Perspective of Complex System Science: A Case Study of Chongming in China

The objective of this study is to evaluate eco-security of Chongming in China and identify eco-security grades of the relevant subareas. In addition, the study aims to put forward the framework for a regional eco-security assessment system that is suitable for the analysis and evaluation of a man–land complex ecosystem. From the perspective of complex system science, this study puts forward the ANP-PRS-SENCE framework for a regional eco-security assessment. Based on the framework, a compressive assessment index system and a spatial variation assessment index system for Chongming's eco-security were established. Additionally, the eco-security threshold of Chongming was determined through the approach of system dynamics simulation. The assessment results show that in recent years the comprehensive score of eco-security has been on a gradual rise. With respect to the second-grade indices, the ecological risk and ecological protection indices are still relatively low. Therefore, in order to reduce the ecological risk, ecological construction needs to be strengthened and management measures need to be improved. The spatial variation assessment of eco-security shows that although the eco-security levels of most subareas remain between 0.3 and 0.6, regional variations are still quite obvious.