Abstract
Land-use changes can significantly affect both the ecosystem services value (ESV) and ecosystem functions. Estimating the impacts of land-use changes in ESV in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is indispensable to provide public awareness about the status of ESV, and to help in policy-making processes. To understand the spatiotemporal evolution of land-use its impact on ESV in the BRI, this study investigated the main water-resource areas of BRI. Using GLCNMO data (2003, 2008, 2013), the land-use dynamic degree, comprehensive index of land-use degree, land-use transfer matrix, and method of ESV valuation were adopted to analyze the changes in land-use and ESV. The results showed that forest and cropland area increased markedly between 2003 and 2013, whereas grassland and shrubland area notably decreased. Forest, shrubland, grassland, cropland, and bare land occupied a relatively large proportion and changed frequently. The total ESV of the study area has increased from US $74.98 million in 2003 to US $82.12 million in 2013, which was primarily caused by the transition from cropland and grassland to forest. The impacts of land-use changes on the specific ecosystem services are also tremendous. The presented results can be valuable for the government for future land-use planning activities.
Highlights
In the 21st century, in the new era with peace, development, cooperation, and win-win as the theme, facing the weak recovery of the global economic situation and the complicated international and regional situation, it is more important and precious to inherit and carry forward the spirit of the silk road
Land-use change and ecosystem service value is mostly directed at a certain river basin or a city in Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI) areas [8,9], and there is a shortage of research on land-use changes in the whole BRI areas
BRI areas are characterized by both vast spaces and large populations, frequent human activities have a great impact on land-use change and ecosystem services value (ESV)
Summary
In the 21st century, in the new era with peace, development, cooperation, and win-win as the theme, facing the weak recovery of the global economic situation and the complicated international and regional situation, it is more important and precious to inherit and carry forward the spirit of the silk road. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for establishment of a new regional cooperation model, by jointly building the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” in 2013. These proposals are officially termed as the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI). BRI areas are characterized by both vast spaces and large populations, frequent human activities have a great impact on land-use change and ecosystem services value (ESV). There is a need, to study the main types and regional directions of changes in land-use types and its impact on ESV in BRI areas [10], which can lay a foundation for land management decisions, ecological environmental protection, and future research on BRI areas
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