Abstract
The regulation and management of ecosystem services are fundamental for sustainable development in mountain areas. Although no obvious vertical band spectrum exists in Taihang Mountain region, vertical differentiation of ecological characteristics in the region is obvious. The ecosystem characteristics of vertical differentiation were analyzed using 4 typical ecological indices (land use, temperature, net primary productivity, and water yield). The ecosystem service functional pattern was determined based on analysis of the ecosystem services value per unit area. The 2 ecosystem critical zones of vertical differentiation (500–600 m and 1400–1500 m) were determined. The mountain area was divided into 3 ecological zones—sub-alpine zone (>1500 m), mid-mountain zone (600–1400 m) and hilly zone (<500 m). The ecosystem services functional pattern was as follows: provisioning services was the main ecosystem services function in the hilly zone, 4 ecosystem service functions were equally important in the mid-mountain zone, regulating, supporting and cultural services were the main ecosystem service functions in the sub-alpine zone. The model of ecosystem service regulation and management in 3 ecological zones was built based on the functional patterns to promote sustainable development.
Highlights
China is a mountainous country, with approximately 70% of land area of the country covered by mountains [1,2]
The functional pattern of ecosystem services in Taihang Mountain was such that it started with provisioning services being the main service function transformed into four service functions being balanced, into regulating, supporting and cultural services being main service function with the increase of altitude
Human factors were the dominant factors for the change in vegetation net primary productivity (NPP) because human activity was strong in low altitude areas of Taihang Mountain
Summary
China is a mountainous country, with approximately 70% of land area of the country covered by mountains [1,2]. Mountain ecosystems provide direct and indirect services for human livelihood [3,4,5,6], but these systems are sensitive to rapid changes in global ecological and economic landscapes [7,8]. Under global climate change and economic integration, the development of mountain regions faces huge challenges, including the issue of sustainability [9,10,11]. The management and optimization of ecosystem services provides a basic measure for sustainable development of mountain regions [12,13]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call