This study aims to optimize ecological security patterns (ESPs) by integrating patch stability and network connectivity. The authors propose a framework that considers ecosystem health and human footprint to construct ESPs, and uses network robustness analysis to optimize them. The study focuses on Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a ecologically vulnerable area in northwestern China. Key findings include: 1. **ESP Construction**: The ESP consists of 71 ecological sources covering 10,970.25 km² and 150 ecological corridors covering 3,950.88 km². Ecological sources and corridors along the Yellow River have high patch stability but low network connectivity. 2. **Network Connectivity Analysis**: Removing nodes and edges from the ESP decreases connectivity robustness, global efficiency, and equivalent connectivity. The variation trends of these indicators under different removal scenarios are inconsistent, indicating a trade-off between patch stability and network connectivity. 3. **Optimization Framework**: A comprehensive importance index (CII) is proposed to integrate both patch stability and network connectivity. This index helps identify priority conservation areas, such as the largest ecological source in the south and ecological corridors in the northeast. 4. **Discussion and Recommendations**: The study highlights the importance of considering landscape pattern and function in ESP construction and optimization. It suggests that conservation planners should balance different conservation objectives and use the proposed framework to make informed decisions. 5. **Limitations and Future Research**: The study has limitations, including the inclusion of only four types of ecosystem services and the need for more comprehensive patch stability indicators. Future research should explore cost-benefit analysis and simulate different interference levels. The study provides a new framework for optimizing ESPs, ensuring that conservation efforts are effective and sustainable.This study aims to optimize ecological security patterns (ESPs) by integrating patch stability and network connectivity. The authors propose a framework that considers ecosystem health and human footprint to construct ESPs, and uses network robustness analysis to optimize them. The study focuses on Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, a ecologically vulnerable area in northwestern China. Key findings include: 1. **ESP Construction**: The ESP consists of 71 ecological sources covering 10,970.25 km² and 150 ecological corridors covering 3,950.88 km². Ecological sources and corridors along the Yellow River have high patch stability but low network connectivity. 2. **Network Connectivity Analysis**: Removing nodes and edges from the ESP decreases connectivity robustness, global efficiency, and equivalent connectivity. The variation trends of these indicators under different removal scenarios are inconsistent, indicating a trade-off between patch stability and network connectivity. 3. **Optimization Framework**: A comprehensive importance index (CII) is proposed to integrate both patch stability and network connectivity. This index helps identify priority conservation areas, such as the largest ecological source in the south and ecological corridors in the northeast. 4. **Discussion and Recommendations**: The study highlights the importance of considering landscape pattern and function in ESP construction and optimization. It suggests that conservation planners should balance different conservation objectives and use the proposed framework to make informed decisions. 5. **Limitations and Future Research**: The study has limitations, including the inclusion of only four types of ecosystem services and the need for more comprehensive patch stability indicators. Future research should explore cost-benefit analysis and simulate different interference levels. The study provides a new framework for optimizing ESPs, ensuring that conservation efforts are effective and sustainable.