Abstract
In this study, we used long time series Landsat data and ecosystem services coefficients for global and Chinese ecosystems during 1978–2018 to estimate the influences of land-use change on ecosystem services (ES) in Kaidu–Kongque River Basin (KKRB), where both socioeconomic progress and the arid, fragile natural environment have considerable affected land-use change. The results showed that (1) the total value of ES in the KKRB was about USD 8111.5, 7995.31, 8275.74, 8131.91, and 8016.38 million in 1978, 1988, 1998, 2008, and 2018, respectively. The net ecosystem service value (ESV) loss was about USD 116.19 million for 1978–1988, the net ESV profit was about USD 280.43 million for 1988–1998, and the net ESV loss was about USD 259.36 million for 1998–2018. (2) Water supply and waste treatment function were the top two ecological functions with high service value; their combined contribution rate was 59.3%, indicating that the regulating service function in this study area is higher than the provision services function. (3) The high to low ranking for each ecosystem function based on their contribution rate to overall ES value was water supply > waste treatment > climate regulation > biodiversity protection > recreation and culture > soil formation > gas regulation > food production > raw material. These results are significant for the continuation of the integrity and sustainability of the mountain–oasis–desert region ecosystem, where socioeconomic progress and the fragile characteristics of the natural ecosystem complement each other. The results of this study provide scientific evidence for governmental decision makers and local residents and offer a reference for environmental researchers in northwest China.
Highlights
Ecosystems are the life-supporting and life-sustaining systems of Earth’s natural environment, which includes humans and other organisms
The land-use/land-cover change (LULCC) over the 41-year period indicates that Gobi remains the dominant land cover type in the KKRB; it decreased from 47.83% of the entire area in 1978 to 47.13% in 2018
1978, the hydrological condition and natural environment of the KKRB have changed considerably, resulting in dramatic changes in the ecosystem service value (ESV) of arid regions. Both human activities and natural factors and their interactions have resulted in land-use changes and the exploitation of water resources
Summary
Ecosystems are the life-supporting and life-sustaining systems of Earth’s natural environment, which includes humans and other organisms. Ecosystems directly or indirectly provide a wide range of multiple services, e.g., by supporting foods and goods, storing carbon, purifying the atmosphere, conserving biodiversity, and regulating climate [1,2,3]. As a main part of the biosphere, each ecosystem service (ES) has unique characteristics that cannot be replaced by other ESs. As a main part of the biosphere, each ecosystem service (ES) has unique characteristics that cannot be replaced by other ESs They play an important role in maintaining the environment, and are becoming increasingly essential for understanding the various benefits provided by ecosystems [4]. An ecosystem can be defined as the conditions and processes that contribute to human and other living organisms’ survival and welfare by providing material and nonmaterial benefits [5]. Each individual function of an ES is critical for maintaining survival on Earth and to the continued development of the ecosystem [6]
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