Spatial and Temporal Changes in Ecosystem Service Value in Hantana Mountain Range

Abstract

Land use/land cover (LULC) dynamics simply change ecosystem service value (ESVs), yet quantitative evaluation of changes in ESVs are occasionally endeavor in Sri Lanka. This study investigated of changes in land use and ecosystem service values in Hantana mountain range from 1956 to 2019. The objectives of this study are to identify the changes of the ESVs and classify the ecosystems using remote sensing and GIS (Arc GIS 10.5) in Hantana mountain range. Changes analysis of ESVs were conducted mainly by Geographic Information System (GIS) and Remote sensing (RS) using LULC Landsat datasets of the years 1956, 1988, 1997, 2008 and 2019 with their corresponding global value coefficients developed by Costanza et al. (1997). The results between periods revealed a decrease of total ESVs from Rs.547million in 1976, to Rs.416million, 208million in 1997, 2007 and 2019, respectively. Between the 1976 and 2019, land use changes resulted in a decrease of Rs.267million. ESV that was primarily caused by outward and the inward expansion of build-up lands and the net increase in the bare land, both of which have a low ESV, indicate that human encroachment into surrounding natural and man-made ecosystems is resulting in decrease ecosystem service functions. The resulting LULC change and socioeconomic development are likely responsible for the overall decline of ESV. It is projected that increasing land use demand will place heavy pressure on the natural ecosystems and impair the ecological functions that are necessary to support the human dominated ecosystem. Therefore, sustainable development policies must address the impact of the loss of natural lands due to intense urbanization.