Coupling trade-offs and supply-demand of ecosystem services (ES): A new opportunity for ES management

Abstract

The trade-offs and supply-demand relations of ecosystem services (ES) are at the frontier of geographical and ecological studies. However, previous studies have focused on either trade-offs or the supply-demand aspects, while ES conflicts and supply/demand contradictions have not been comprehensively examined. The relationship between ES trade-offs and supply-demand is logically valid and studying the coupling of both can provide approaches for simultaneously alleviating ES conflicts and supply-demand contradictions. This study, based on a review of previous analyses of ES trade-offs and supply-demand dynamics, proposes a new analytic framework to couple them. First, we define two types of trade-offs based on the directions of growth or decline of the two services. We also define the supply-demand balance area and the supply-demand risk area according to the ES flow characteristics. Second, the mechanisms driving ES trade-offs are clarified, and land-use scenarios are set based on the mechanisms. Third, the supply-demand spatial characteristics of ES are analyzed, and supply-demand risk areas are identified. Finally, scenario iterations are performed to minimize the supply-demand risk area at an acceptable trade-off intensity to identify an optimal land use plan, which simultaneously alleviates ES conflicts and supply-demand contradictions. This analytic framework offers new opportunities for improving sustainable ecosystem management.