Identifying critical landscape patterns for simultaneous provision of multiple ecosystem services – A case study in the central district of Wuhu City, China

Abstract

Landscape patterns have a global impact on ecosystem services (ESs). Managing land to enhance the provision of multiple ESs is vital for ecological resilience and sustainable development. Identifying critical landscape patterns that simultaneously influence multiple ESs provision based on understanding ES trade-offs is needed. Our study aims to develop an approach to find the relationship between multiple ESs provision and landscape patterns, identify the critical landscape patterns that simultaneously promote multiple ESs provision, and give suggestions on land management based on an understanding of the relationships of ESs. Taking the central district of Wuhu City as an example, production possibility frontier (PPF) and Pareto ranks are used to identify relationships between ESs and extract the landscape pattern characteristics of samples that effectively enhance multiple ESs. Our analysis of trade-offs between ESs highlights the complexity of ES relationships and emphasizes the necessity for multi-dimensional investigative approaches. Landscape metrics of Mean Perimeter Area Ratio (PARA_MN), Coefficient of Variation of Perimeter (PERI_CV), Area-weighted Mean Fractal Dimension (FRAC_AM), and Relative Mutual Information (RELMUTINF) emerged as critical determinants of multiple ESs supply. Our findings suggest enhancing patch shape complexity when conducting land use planning to avoid homogenization and keeping differences between the diversity of land use categories and the diversity of adjacencies small. Also, we recommend caution in using high contagion as the only criterion for land use planning, as its effects may vary on different ES targets.