Abstract
Local ecosystem services have been significantly affected by land cover changes associated with rapid urbanization in China. Based on the 2000 and 2010 land cover data products with 30-m resolution, we examined the similarities and differences in the impacts of land cover change on ecosystem service values (ESV) at three coastal urban agglomerations in China between 2000 and 2010 (Liaodong Peninsula (LP), Jing-Jin-Ji (JJJ) and Shandong Peninsula (SP)). A rapid evaluation method developed by Xie et al. (2008) was used to derive an ecosystem service value coefficient. The most significant change was an increase in artificial surfaces, due to urban expansion, which mainly occurred on cultivated land. The greatest loss in total ESV (2273 million Chinese Yuan) occurred in SP, due to the large decrease in wetland areas, because this service has the highest estimated coefficient. The second greatest loss in ESV (893 million Yuan) occurred in JJJ, due to the urban expansion of major cities. In contrast, ESV increased (72 million Yuan) in LP. This study demonstrates that urban expansion does not necessarily lead to a net decline in ESV. In conclusion, land use and land cover policymaking should consider the sustainability of ecosystem services in relation to economic growth.
Highlights
Ecosystems provide a variety of direct and indirect products and services for human survival, health and welfare [1], which form the foundation of human society [2,3,4]
We detected a significant change in land cover from 2000 to in all three urban agglomerations (Figure 5), which was characterized by an increase in artificial surfaces and a decrease in cultivated land
We explored the similarities and differences in ESV in three urban agglomerations by evaluating the impacts of land cover change on ecosystem service values over a 10-year period (2000 to 2010)
Summary
Ecosystems provide a variety of direct and indirect products and services for human survival, health and welfare [1], which form the foundation of human society [2,3,4]. Global population growth, economic development and urban expansion have placed pressure on ecosystems, resulting in their being substantially degraded, destroyed or transformed. The effectiveness of ecosystem services has been impeded at multiple scales. Studies on ecosystem services have become increasingly popular to evaluate environmental change, resource management and sustainable development, because these services incorporate society benefits [6]. Assessing the value of ecosystem services that influence human well-being by market price or non-market value is regarded as an important tool to promote the importance of ecosystems and encourage sustainable economic growth
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