Exploring the combination and heterogeneity of ecosystem services bundles in the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Project

Abstract

The relationships among ecosystem services (ESs) and their spatiotemporal dynamics plays an essential role in ESs management. However, it is difficult to characterize the spatial composition of ecosystem services bundles (ESB), clarify the complex relationships and their driving forces. This study estimated 6 specific ESs of Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Project (BTSSCP) based on related models, using conjunction operations identified ESB, finally explored the trade-offs and synergies between ESs within each ESB, and furtherly suggested different management zones in terms of ESB types. The results indicated the values of all six key ESs have improved from 2000 to 2015, and shown a decreasing trend from the southeast to the northwest accompanied by expansion trend of the high value region. Additionally, ESB dominated by sand-fixing service were primarily distributed in the southwest and showed a trend of continuous and significant expansion from southwest to northeast during 2000–2015. And, wind speed, soil types, slope, vegetation types and population density are the main driving factors of ESB changes. What’s more, trade-offs and synergies among ESs appears the characteristics of spatial heterogeneity, especially between sand-fixing service and Net primary productivity, which presenting synergistic promotion relationship in bundles 1 and 2, while significant trade-offs in bundles 3 and 4. Finally, we divided BTSSCP into three zones—key improvement zone, ecological conservation zone, and integrated optimization zone based on ESB as per the regional sand-fixing capacity, enhancement potential and the relationship between ESs, and proposed specific suggestions for management in various ESB, which are beneficial to regional sustainable development and appropriate management.