Abstract:Faced with the issue of fragmentation in the development of the ecological space, the demand for enhanced ecological functionality, and the goal of achieving high-quality regional integration of the Xi’an metropolitan area. This study analyzes the ecological spatial pattern of the research area to extract its structural characteristics and construct a regional ecological network. This study primarily employs the Morphological Spatial Pattern Analysis (MSPA) method to conduct research based on extracting ecological structural features. It further examines the evolution of vegetation cover dynamics for identified potential space with ecological functions. It employs a resistance index system to establish the foundation for constructing the regional ecological network. The research proposes four strategies for ecological network integration: network consolidation, corridor bridging, network patching, and ecological restoration. Analyzing spatial and resource structures identifies ecological patches and corridors’ types and distribution characteristics. At the regional scale, a multi-center ecological network model is proposed. At the mesoscale, a “core-corridor-buffer zone” model is suggested. Adjusting the layout and spatial structure of ecological space based on different integration strategies to enhance the connectivity and stability of the ecological network, thereby constructing a metropolitan ecological network. Finally, this study’s main conclusion focuses on analyzing the ecological space structural evolution mechanism, the technical pathways for ecological network construction, and model exploration. It presents the ecological space structure of the Xi’an metropolitan area, offering new ideas and methods for ecological space planning. These research findings have significant theoretical and practical implications for advancing the development of urban regions to a higher level.