Abstract
Ecosystem services (ES) are indispensable contributors to rural population wellbeing (RPWB). Understanding the relationship between ES and RPWB is important to human welfare and conserving ecosystem services. Ecologically-vulnerable areas are widely distributed in China and are concentrated with impoverished people. This study explored the relations of ES and RPWB in an ecologically-fragile area, and provided some recommendations for regional improvement. We developed an evaluation framework, analyzed the spatio-temporal characteristics of services and RPWB, and examined their relations. Results showed that: (1) the level of RPWB in an ecologically-vulnerable area was lower than that in the downstream region; however, the wellbeing gap between regions has narrowed over time; (2) Regions with a higher ecosystem service capacity had higher levels of rural population wellbeing, and vice versa; (3) In addition to the food supply, other ES indicators were closely associated with RPWB in the region. Specifically, the net income and living space were closely related to food supply, while rural-urban income ratio and water environment were more relevant to the other services. Lastly, it is important to address environment and poverty issues simultaneously.
Highlights
Exploring the relations between human wellbeing and ecosystem services (ES) is one of the research hotspots in ecology and relevant disciplines
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The spatial distribution was a key factor affecting the relative change of RPWB
Summary
Exploring the relations between human wellbeing and ecosystem services (ES) is one of the research hotspots in ecology and relevant disciplines. Activities promoting human welfare have influenced ecosystem processes and the regeneration capacity of ES sometimes, a relevant feedback processing occurs between them [2,3]. ES contributes to human wellbeing under the influence of anthropogenic activities, and there are complex interrelationships among them. Most areas in Western China are EFAs [7]. In recent years, this region has experienced rapid desertification and ecological environment deterioration, which brought harm and loss to local production and living. Understanding the linkages between ES and human wellbeing is essential for policy-makers to balance human demands and the environment
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