Spatially Heterogeneous Relationships between Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs and Their Driving Factors: A Case Study in Baiyangdian Basin, China

Abstract

Clarifying the complex relationships among ecosystem services (ESs) and their driving mechanisms is essential for effective ecosystem management and enhancing human welfare. Nonetheless, the current research on these issues still remains limited; therefore, further theoretical exploration is required. This study aims to quantitatively illustrate the trade-off strength of ESs and investigate the spatiotemporal heterogeneity connections between these relationships and various anthropogenic and natural factors in Baiyangdian basin, China, integrating InVEST, RMSE, geographical detector and MGWR methods. From 2000 to 2020, the total water yield (WY) and nutrient export (NE) increased, while the total carbon storage (CS) and habitat quality (HQ) decreased slightly. The trade-offs of ESs showed spatiotemporal heterogeneity. The most serious trade-off occurred between regulating services (CS and NE) and supporting services (HQ) in 2000, which was mainly distributed in the densely forested and grassed western and northern regions of the basin. The trade-off intensities of half of the pairwise ESs in 2020 increased, with the strengthened areas mainly located in the southeast of the watershed where built-up lands are concentrated. Various factors dominated the trade-offs among ESs, with the interactive effects of multiple drivers being more significant than those of individual factors. Land use type, vegetation cover and precipitation have the most pronounced effect on the trade-offs among ESs. The findings of this study may suggest and advocate for spatial ecological strategies to enhance the integrated and holistic advancement of various ESs and also serve as a reference for regional ecosystem governance and the attainment of sustainable growth.