Management Of Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Unveiling driving disparities between satisfaction and equity of ecosystem services in urbanized areas

Rapid urbanization intensifies the challenges of achieving satisfaction and equity in ecosystem services (ESs). Beginning with a theoretical overview, we identify five pivotal challenges in managing urban ESs, forming the basis for our integrative analysis. Employing a multi-level analytical perspective, our research quantifies ESs satisfaction through supply–demand ratios and evaluates ESs equity via supply–demand Gini coefficient. Simultaneously explored the driving force relationship between these two dimensions. This study uses Guangdong Province, a typical urbanized area in China, as a case study to assess the supply and demand relationships of four regulating ESs: water retention, soil retention, carbon storage, and water purification. Our results highlight the disparity in ES management effectiveness across different scales while the overall assessments might suggest adequate or equitable ESs, localized assessments within cities and regions often uncover specific ESs issues. A pivotal aspect is that single-factor critical to ESs satisfaction or equity dimension may have limited or opposing importance in another, but interactive effects of multiple factors can effectively mitigate these divergent impacts through non-linear synergies. These insights not only reveal the multiplex impacts of natural–social–economic drivers on urban expansion but also guide the targeted development in different management scale, multi-dimensional management strategies to address these disparities. This approach enriches the discourse on sustainable urban development and provides a robust framework for addressing the nuanced challenges of urban ESs management.

Effects of burning on vegetation, soil physicochemistry and prokaryotic microbial communities in surface and subsurface peat

Prescribed burning is a common management strategy in peatlands that has the potential to affect soil physicochemistry, alter biogeochemical cycles and trigger changes in vegetation structure. How burning affects prokaryotic community composition across different soil profiles is not well understood. This study explored the effects of prescribed burning on the diversity of prokaryotic communities in peat soils. Soil samples were collected from Moor House Nature Reserve, UK, a long-term monitoring site initiated in 1954 subject to three burning treatments: Burning at short rotations every 10 years, burning at long rotations every 20 years and a non-burn control. Observed species richness for archaea was highest in the topsoil of the non-burn control plots and highest for bacteria in the topsoil of the non-burn control and plots under a long rotation regime. Community composition was significantly different between different burn treatments and soil depth. Archaeal community structure was shaped by NH4+ and pH in the topsoil; by Pb, moisture and Al in the 20–40 cm profile; and by total N, total C, Al, Ca, Fe and pH in the 40–60 cm profile. Bacterial community structure was shaped by NH4+, heather cover, pH and Mg in the topsoil; by Fe, K and Pb in the 20–40 cm profile; and by Al, Ca and Fe in the 40–60 cm profile. A co-occurrence network analysis revealed that the topsoil of the non-burn control plots had a more complex network structure with more positive links than those under a rotational burn, but a higher average connectivity with a higher number of negative links was observed in the long rotation 20–40 cm profile. The results provide a new insight into the response processes of soil prokaryotic communities to burning in peatland soils, providing valuable knowledge that can support the evaluation and management of ecosystem services in peatlands.

Stakeholder-based management of ecosystem services in agricultural areas: Integrating the leader-follower game and a conflict resolution model

Given the substantial effects of agricultural practices on the environment, this paper introduces a novel stakeholder-based framework for assessing the ecosystem services (ESs) provided by agricultural areas. Ecosystem services include essential functions such as water supply, food production, carbon storage, soil erosion control, and habitat support. In addition to ESs, water footprint is also taken into account to evaluate the impacts of agricultural activities on water resources. Some of the mentioned ESs are assessed using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). Then, by extending and combining the Conflict Resolution Model with the Composition of Probabilistic Preferences (CRMCPP) method and the leader-follower game (LFG), while considering the hierarchical structure of decision-makers, the best scenario for enhancing the ESs is selected.The Zarrinehroud River Basin (ZRB) in Iran has been chosen as a case study to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework, as this basin is vital for supplying water to Lake Urmia, the largest hypersaline lake in the Middle East. In this paper, 16 Water and Environmental Resources Management (WERM) scenarios have been defined according to the Urmia Lake Restoration National Committee (ULRNC) projects. Then, the mentioned ESs have been evaluated under different WERM scenarios. Ultimately, by utilizing the CRMCPP-LFG method and taking into account the hierarchical structure of decision-makers, we can identify the optimal WERM scenario. The criteria for making this decision include various factors, such as ecosystem services and the costs involved in implementing the WERM scenarios. In the selected scenario, the average water inflow into Lake Urmia is projected to rise to 1329 million cubic meters per year, which is 6.3% more than the average inflow in the current condition. Key initiatives in this scenario include reducing cultivated areas, altering irrigation methods, changing crop patterns, and incorporating water-efficient plant species.

Applying Systems Thinking to Sustainable Beef Production Management: Modeling-Based Evidence for Enhancing Ecosystem Services

We used systems thinking (ST) to identify the critical components of beef cattle production through the lens of ecosystem services (ES), offering a holistic approach to address its adverse externalities. We identified eight critical feedback loops in beef production systems: (i) grazing and soil health, (ii) manure management and soil fertility, (iii) feed efficiency and meat production, (iv) water use and soil moisture, (v) cultural services and community engagement, (vi) energy use, (vii) carbon sequestration and climate regulation, and (viii) environmental impact. Our analysis reveals how these interconnected loops influence each other, demonstrating the complex nature of beef production systems. The dynamic hypothesis identified through the loops indicated that improved grazing and manure management practices enhance soil health, leading to better vegetation growth and cattle nutrition, which, in turn, have a positive impact on economic returns to producers and society, all of which encourage the continuation of interlinked beef and ecosystem stewardship practices. The management of beef production ES using ST might help cattle systems across the globe to contribute to 9 of the 17 different United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including the “zero hunger” and “climate action” goals. We discussed the evaluation framework for agrifood systems developed by the economics of ecosystems and biodiversity to illustrate how ST in beef cattle systems could be harnessed to simultaneously achieve the intended environmental, economic, social, and health impacts of beef cattle systems. Our analysis of the literature for modeling and empirical case studies indicates that ST can reveal hidden feedback loops and interactions overlooked by traditional practices, leading to more sustainable beef cattle production outcomes. ST offers a robust framework for enhancing ES in beef cattle production by recognizing the interconnectedness of ecological and agricultural systems, enabling policymakers and managers to develop more effective and sustainable strategies that ensure the long-term health and resilience of humans and ES.

Complementary effects of pollination and biocontrol services enable ecological intensification in macadamia orchards.

In many crops, both pollination and biocontrol determine crop yield, whereby the relative importance of the two ecosystem services can be moderated by the landscape context. However, additive and interactive effects of pollination and biocontrol in different landscape contexts are still poorly understood. We examined both ecosystem services in South African macadamia orchards. Combining observations and experiments, we disentangled their relative additive and interactive effects on crop production with variation in orchard design and landscape context (i.e., cover of natural habitat and altitude). Insect pollination increased the nut set on average by 280% (initial nut set) and 525% (final nut set), while biocontrol provided by bats and birds reduced the insect damage on average by 40%. Pollination services increased in orchards where macadamia tree rows were positioned perpendicular to orchard edges facing natural habitat. Biocontrol services decreased with elevation. Pest damage was reduced by higher cover of natural habitat at landscape scale but increased with elevation. Pollination and biocontrol are both important ecosystem services and complementary in providing high macadamia crop yield. Smart orchard design and the retention of natural habitat can simultaneously enhance both services. Conjoint management of ecosystem services can thus enable the ecological intensification of agricultural production.

Assessing Trade-Offs and Synergies in Ecosystem Services within the Tianshan Mountainous Region

In managing ecosystem services (ESs), it is vital to understand and effectively regulate the trade-offs and synergies (ToSs) involved. This study investigates the Tianshan Mountains (TSMs), utilizing the InVEST (Integrated Valuation of ESs and Tradeoffs) model to evaluate ecosystem service changes from 2000 to 2020, while employing univariate linear regression to examine their spatiotemporal dynamics. Pearson correlation analysis was also conducted to assess how climatic variables (temperature and precipitation) and vegetation indicators (NDVI, normalized difference vegetation index) influence the overall ecosystem service benefits. The findings reveal notable spatial heterogeneity and dynamic shifts in ESs across the TSMs, with strong synergies observed between carbon storage (CS) and other services (such as habitat quality, HQ; soil conservation, SC; and water yield, WY), especially in areas experiencing increased vegetation. However, the connection between HQ and WY was comparatively weaker and occasionally exhibited negative correlations during specific periods, highlighting the intricate trade-offs among various services. The correlation analysis further showed that climate and vegetation changes significantly impact ecosystem service benefits, with declining precipitation and rising temperatures reducing these benefits, whereas higher NDVI was associated with improved service functions. Ultimately, this study emphasizes the necessity of recognizing and managing ToSs in ESs to promote sustainable regional ecosystem development.

A comprehensive review of soil organic carbon estimates: Integrating remote sensing and machine learning technologies

Abstract Purpose Accurately assessing soil organic carbon (SOC) content is vital for ecosystem services management and addressing global climate challenges. This study undertakes a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global estimates for SOC using remote sensing (RS) and machine learning (ML) techniques. It showcases the historical growth and thematic evolution in SOC research, aiming to amplify the understanding of SOC estimation themes and provide scientific support for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Materials and Methods Employing extensive literature database analysis, bibliometric network analysis, and clustering techniques, the study reviews 1,761 articles on SOC estimation using RS technologies and 490 articles on SOC employing both RS and ML technologies. Results and Discussion The results indicate that satellite-based RS, particularly the Landsat series, is predominant for estimation of SOC and other associated studies, with North America, China, and Europe leading in evaluations with Africa is having low evaluations adopting RS technology. Trends in the research demonstrate an evolution from basic mapping to advanced topics such as carbon (C) sequestration, complex modeling, and big data utilization. Thematic clusters from co-occurrence analysis suggest the interplay between technology development, environmental surveys, soil properties, and climate dynamics. Conclusion The study highlights the synergy between RS and ML, with advanced ML techniques proving to be critical for accurate SOC estimation. These findings are crucial for comprehensive ecosystem SOC estimation, informed environmental management and strategic decision-making.

SAFETY CULTURE OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

In this article, an attempt is made to indicate the role and importance of ecosystem services as advantages that are provided to us by the environment. The authors demonstrate selected concepts of ecosystem services and their classification, but only to introduce the reader to pilot studies of the urban ecosystem. The present article aims to define the factors that influence the culture of utilizing ecosystem services in urbanized areas. In this article, a fragment of an urban ecosystem, specifically the Old Town of Gdańsk (which features anthropogenic elements and whose functioning is dependent on ecological and natural systems), is observed through a researcher’s eye. This area is predominantly focused on using international experiences in interdisciplinary research, a dynamically developing new science discipline called “city ecology.” The key research problem of this study is as follows: how can the safety culture be efficiently developed and integrated with the management of ecosystem services to ensure their persistence and resistance to environmental and anthropogenic risks?

Understanding scale effects and differentiation mechanisms of ecosystem services tradeoffs and synergies relationship: A case study of the Lishui River Basin, China

Understanding the scale effect of relationships among ecosystem services (ESs) and the factors influencing these relationships, is vital for sustainable management of ESs. Previous research has focused less on multiple scale units, and the driving mechanisms behind ESs interactions remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, we assessed the spatial distribution of water yield (WY), water purification (WP), and soil conservation (SC) across four spatial scales (3 km × 3 km grid, 5 km × 5 km grid, sub-watershed, and county scales) in the Lishui River Basin of China during 2020. Using the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model, geographical weighted regression, and Pearson correlation analysis, we examined tradeoffs and synergies among these ESs at various scales. Additionally, we employed a geographic detector to analyze the reactions and scale effects among these tradeoffs/synergies and social-ecological factors. Our findings revealed the following: (1) Significant spatial heterogeneity in ESs was observed in the basin. The WY decreased from west (2511.65 mm) to east (890.06 mm), with high WP values concentrated in the eastern part, and high SC values (8.30 × 105 t/hm2) found in densely forested and grassland areas surrounding water bodies. Forested and cultivated lands were key contributors to ESs in the basin. (2) Across the four investigated scales, tradeoffs or synergies between the same ESs becoming more pronounced as the scale increased. Notably, most ES relationships displayed their strongest synergies at the county scale, with certain spatial areas demonstrating change in interaction directions. (3) The explanatory power of single- or double-factor interactions increased with scale. ESs interactions were found to be closely linked to climatic factors, as well as topographic features (including slope gradient and elevation), with precipitation exhibiting relatively high explanatory power. The interaction of natural and social factors significantly outweighed the combined interaction of dual social factors. This indicated that socio-ecological factors, especially climate and topography, jointly influenced the intensity and direction of ES tradeoffs/synergies. Scale effects arose from the “peak cutting and valley filling” phenomenon during scale transitions. These insights hold significant value for guiding hierarchical management strategies for regional ESs and informing decisions regarding resource allocation.

Integrating System Perspectives to Optimize Ecosystem Service Provision in Urban Ecological Development

System-based approaches are critical for addressing the complex and interconnected nature of urban ecological development and restoration of ecosystem services. This study adopts a system perspective to investigate the spatiotemporal drivers of key ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water conservation, sediment reduction, pollution mitigation, and stormwater regulation, within the Yangtze River Delta Eco-Green Integrated Development Demonstration Area (YRDDA) from 2000 to 2020. We propose a novel framework for defining enhanced-efficiency ecosystem service management regions (EESMR) to guide targeted restoration. Our analysis revealed the complex interplay of 11, 9, 6, 6, and 10 driving factors for selected ecosystem services, highlighting the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of these drivers. By overlaying these key factors, we identified high-efficiency restoration priority areas for EESMR that ensure high returns on investment and the efficient restoration of ecosystem functions. This system-oriented approach provided critical spatial guidance for integrated ecological restoration, green development, and eco-planning. These findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and planners in the Yangtze River Delta and other rapidly urbanizing regions, supporting the formulation of effective land-use policies that balance environmental sustainability and urban growth.

Assessing spatio-temporal heterogeneity and drivers of ecosystem services to support zonal management in mountainous cities

With complex topography and geomorphology, mountainous cities possess abundant natural resources. They are constrained by ecological environment and topographic conditions, leading to a prominent contradiction between urbanization development and ecological protection. As a result, ecosystem services (ESs) are under greater regulatory pressure. The identification of ecosystem services bundles (ESBs) can be the foundation for developing zonal ecological protection planning policies. We took Chongqing as a case study, investigated the impact mechanisms of socio-ecological factors on the level of ES supply in each ESB. The findings reveal that: (1) The quantitative assessment of ESs for 2000, 2010, and 2020 showed that ESs were temporally stable and spatially heterogeneous. Areas with high supplies of food production (FP) and water yield (WY) were predominantly found in the northwestern cropland and urban built-up regions, whereas high supply areas for the other four ESs were primarily located in the northeastern Dabashan Mountains and the southern Wuling Mountains. (2) The quantification of trade-offs and synergies between ESs showed that FP had a trade-off effect with all five other ESs, while most other ES pairs exhibited synergistic effects. It was found that the interrelationships produced changes over time. (3) Then, three types of ESBs were identified. After examining the influence mechanisms of socio-ecological factors across the three ESBs, individual ESs were found to have essentially the same types of main impact factors in three ESBs, but varies in impact. (4) Finally, with reference to changes in ES levels and interrelationships and the driving mechanisms of socio-ecological factors in each zone, this study proposed zonal strategies for managing ecosystem services and optimizing territorial space based on the geographic characteristics and socio-economic development in different ESBs, with the goal of attaining sustainable urban development and improving human welfare.

Virtual Reality in planning, design, and management of urban green and blue infrastructure

There is a need for new tools in urban planning, design, and management (urban PDM) of green-blue infrastructure (GBI) to better support resilience and sustainable development. Virtual Reality (VR) emerges as a potential tool in this context. GBI provides a diversity of ecosystem services that increase the capacity of urban environments to absorb change while continuing to develop (adaptive capacity), a key factor in resilience and sustainability. However, there is a lack of tools capable of effectively capturing and communicating the designs, functions, and uses of GBI. Despite this need, research on the contributions of VR as a tool in urban PDM of GBI remains limited. To address this gap, an exploratory experiment using inductive qualitative data analysis was conducted. Participants of different ages and with different expertise viewed 360-degree video clips from urban areas through VR, completed a questionnaire, and participated in interviews. The results showed that the 360-degree video VR experience enhanced participants’ understanding of the viewed sites. Specifically, participants paid attention to details, captured the context, responded by generating emotional engagement, identified site development potential, and described an immersive experience. These results align with key principles for the sustainable management of ecosystem services, such as participation, learning, diversity, place-making, and stewardship; and adaptive capacity aspects such as processes and results grounded in complexity-embracing creativity. Our analysis shows that 360-degree video VR can increase the understanding of complexities, connections, and nuances in the urban environment. We conclude that 360-degree video VR could serve as a valuable complement to traditional tools in urban PDM, enriching decision-making with information that can support adaptive capacity, resilience, and sustainability.

Analysis of Spatial Distribution of Ecosystem Services and Driving Factors in Northeast China

Northeast China is an important ecological barrier in China, and an in-depth understanding of the spatial distribution in ecosystem services （ESs）, and the driving factors is crucial for realizing the subsequent management and protection of ESs. In the study, we quantitatively assessed the characteristics of spatial distribution in ESs in Northeastern China using the InVEST, RWEQ, and RUSLE models and identified the driving factors of ESs spatial distribution in conjunction with the geodetector based on meteorological data, remote sensing data, and socio-economic data. The results showed that the spatial distribution of ESs in Northeast China had obvious spatial heterogeneity. The high values of habitat quality （HQ）, carbon sequestration （CS） services, and soil conservation （SC） services were mainly distributed in the northern part of the four eastern leagues of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the northern part of Heilongjiang Province, and the eastern part of Northeast China, which were high in fraction vegetation cover, and low values were mainly found in southwestern and eastern Heilongjiang Province, western Jilin Province, and western Liaoning Province. The high values of the water yield （WY） service and wind prevention and sand fixation （WPSF） service were distributed in the east of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the east of Liaoning Province. The high values of WY services and WPSF services were distributed in the eastern part of Northeast China and the four eastern provinces of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. According to the geodetector results, slope had the strongest explanatory power for the spatial distribution of SC services with a q-value of 0.31, land use/cover change had the strongest explanatory power for the spatial distribution of HQ and CS services with q-values of 0.64 and 0.52, respectively, and fraction vegetation coverage and annual precipitation had the strongest explanatory power for the spatial distribution of WPSF and WY services with q-values of 0.24 and 0.64, respectively, and there were interactions among all the driving factors. The spatial distribution of ESs in Northeast China was mainly influenced by natural factors. The results will provide a scientific basis for subsequent management and enhancement of ESs in Northeast China.

Identification of priority conservation areas in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei using multi-scenario trade-offs based on different spatial scales and their drivers

Identifying priority conservation areas (PCAs) on the basis of ecosystem services (ESs) trade-offs is a crucial step in achieving optimal ecosystem management in the BTH, noting the complex spatio-temporal and scaling effects inherent in these ecosystems. A cross-scale quantification of spatial and temporal changes in ecosystem services and their correlations was conducted in the BTH. Furthermore, the Ordered Weighting Algorithm (OWA) was introduced to simulate a variety of scenarios in order to determine the PCAs and to explore the drivers of ES in the PCAs. The results indicated that Food supply (FS), Water yield (WY), and Soil retention (SR) in the BTH increased by 16.4 × 104t/hm2, 81.81 mm, and 37081.29 t/hm2, respectively. In contrast, Carbon storage (CS) and Habit quality (HQ) exhibited a decrease of 0.01 t/hm2 and 0.03. Spatially, the high-value areas of ESs at the county scale exhibited greater clustering. At the county scale, there were two trade-offs and eight synergies in 2000, and four trade-offs and six synergies by 2020. In contrast, at the raster scale, there were two trade-offs and eight synergies from 2000 to 2020. The mechanisms of change were similar and exhibited spatial heterogeneity. Scenario 6 represents the optimal priority conservation area, exhibiting the most balanced conservation efficiency of each ecosystem service. This scenario enables the simultaneous conservation of multiple ESs. The natural factors within the PCAs exert a stronger influence on ESs than socio-economic factors. The inclusion of interacting factor effects will enhance the explanatory power of the drivers. The findings of this study can serve as a theoretical foundation for cross-scale ecosystem service management decisions.

Exploring the pattern and influencing factors of ecosystem services under multiscale perspective: implications for ecosystem services management

It is necessary to explore the spatial pattern and influencing factors of ecosystem services (ESs) to ensure the sustainability of ecosystems. However, research on ESs and their influencing factors across various spatial scales is scarce and is often restricted to a single scale. Water yield, soil conservation, carbon storage, and habitat quality were simulated with the InVEST model at multiple scales. The complex relationship between ES pairs was analyzed. Based on this, the Geographical Detector Model was used to reveal the influencing factors of the ESs, and the Geographically Weighted Regression was used to study the characteristics of local spatial distributions of the main influencing factors. The results indicated that: First, ESs showed prominent spatial differentiation characteristics at different scales. With the increase in spatial scale, the distribution of multiple ESs tended to become uniform and clustered. Then, the relationships between ESs were sensitive to alterations in the spatial scale of the evaluation unit, and the relationships of ESs changed with increasing scale. Finally, individual ES and total ecosystem service were subject to the combined effects of natural and social factors, and the level of influence of each influencing factor on ESs varies considerably at different spatial scales. The study can give guidance for policy decision-makers to conduct differentiated regional management.

Integrating policy, data and technology in pursuing effective management of ecosystem services

With the growing concerns about the protection of ecosystem functions and services, governments have developed public policies and organizations have produced an awesome volume of digital data freely available through their websites. On the other hand, advances in data acquisition through remote sensed sources and processing through geographic information systems (GIS) and statistical tools, allowed an unprecedent capacity to manage ecosystems efficiently. However, the real-world scenario in that regard remains paradoxically challenging. The reasons can be many and diverse, but a strong candidate relates with the limited engagement among the interest parties that hampers bringing all these assets into action. The aim of the study is to demonstrate that management of ecosystem services can be significantly improved by integrating existing environmental policies with environmental big data and low-cost GIS and data processing tools. Using the Upper Rio das Velhas hydrographic basin located in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil) as example, the study demonstrated how Principal Components Analysis based on a diversity of environmental variables assembled sub-basins into urban, agriculture, mining and heterogeneous profiles, directing management of ecosystem services to the most appropriate officially established conservation plans. The use of GIS tools, on the other hand, allowed narrowing the implementation of each plan to specific sub-basins. This optimized allocation of preferential management plans to priority areas was discussed for a number of conservation plans. A paradigmatic example was the so-called Conservation Use Potential (CUP) devoted to the protection of aquifer recharge (provision service) and control of water erosion (regulation service), as well as to the allocation of uses as function of soil capability (support service). In all cases, the efficiency gains in readiness for plans’ implementation and economy of resources were prognosed as noteworthy.

Rice Bund Management by Filipino Farmers and Willingness to Adopt Ecological Engineering for Pest Suppression

Ecological engineering is defined as the design of ecosystems for the benefit of human society and the environment. In Asia, the ecological engineering of rice fields by establishing vegetation on bunds/levees for natural enemies has recently gained traction; however, its success depends on farmers’ willingness to implement changes. We surveyed 291 rice farmers in four regions of the Philippines to assess their bund management practices and willingness to establish bund vegetation that restores rice regulatory ecosystem services for pest management. During pre- and post-open field day (OFD) interviews, we assessed farmers’ perceptions of ecological engineering practices and sought their advice concerning bund vegetation. Over 60% of the farmers grew crops or allowed weeds on their bunds. Vegetables were grown as a source of extra food or income, and flowers were grown for pest management. Among the remaining farmers, their willingness to try ecological engineering increased from 36 to 74% after the OFDs. Furthermore, after the OFDs, willing farmers increasingly (from 2.6 to 15%) cited pest management as a reason to grow vegetables on bunds, and farmers almost exclusively focused on growing vegetables rather than flowers to adapt the system. While 46.5% of farmers who grew vegetables on their bunds applied insecticides, only ca 20% indicated that they would do so after the OFDs, if needed. Farmers had differing opinions on how vegetables would be incorporated into their rice farms. This range of options could be encouraged wherever farmers recognize the potential harm from pesticides for biodiversity and the restoration value of a diversified farm habitat.

Quantifying marginal utilities of ecosystem services for sustainable management

Understanding the marginal characteristics of ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for sustainable management. However, there is limited research on quantifying thresholds for ESs, making it challenging for policymakers to plan effectively. This study established a framework to assess the influencing factors and marginal characteristics of cultural and regulatory ecosystem services (RES) in the Taihu Lake Basin of China and its wetland parks. The framework uses a Structural Equation Model to analyze the impact of visitors' attributes on the perception of different types of cultural ecosystem services (CES). It also employed the InVEST model to quantify the spatial patterns of RES in the basin. Multiple regression analysis and marginal utility theory were used to examine the influencing factors and marginal utilities for different types of cultural and regulatory services. The findings reveal that 1) Education level, income, gender, and age significantly influence the perception of five types of CES provision, with different factors affecting each type. 2) Most park characteristics influence the CES provision score, with their maximum and marginal utility peaks. For instance, as patch density (PD) increases, the score for recreational services initially decreases, then increases, and finally decreases again, reaching a peak of 0.50 at a PD of 325.60. The marginal utility of PD follows a similar pattern, initially increasing and then decreasing, with an increase in utility observed in the range of 0 < PD < 187.80. When PD reaches 187.80, it attains its maximum utility, indicating the point of highest efficiency for PD's impact on recreational services. 3) Heterogeneity exists in the spatial distribution of RES within the basin, with different landscape features providing varying marginal benefits for services like water supply, water purification, carbon storage, and soil erosion prevention. Carbon storage demonstrates an 'increase-then-decrease’ pattern in response to rising FP (Percentage of forest area), reaching a maximum value of 13129.3 t/km2 at FP of 66.4. The marginal utility of FP also exhibits a 'rise-then-fall’ trend, increasing up to FP of 30.4, where it peaks at 230.5. This peak represents the point of maximum efficiency in FP's influence on carbon storage services. 4) The effects of park and landscape characteristics on cultural and regulatory services exhibit marginal utilities that can be used to determine the optimal scale and location of these features to maximize ecological benefits. This research aims to expand the scope of ESs assessment and provide insights from wetland parks for broader environmental planning and optimization.

Managing ecosystem services in oleaginous forests for bioenergy provision and climate change mitigation

Oleaginous forests provide diverse ecosystem services, including timber, seed yield (a vital feedstock for biodiesel production), and substantial carbon savings. These carbon savings encompass carbon sequestration related to timber growth and carbon savings resulting from substituting fossil fuel with biodiesel. However, oleaginous forests are vulnerable to seed wasp attacks (disservice), which significantly threaten both seed yield and carbon savings. Using an integrated ecological-economic model that includes Faustmann's Land Expectation Value model and a pest damage control model, we aim to understand the intricate relationship among multiple ecosystem services and disservices of oleaginous forests. The results reveal four distinct phases contingent on varying pesticide application rates: the pesticide under-use phase, substitution phase, complementary phase, and over-use phase. Notably, a potential avenue to minimize pest damage is identified during the complementary phase by reducing the optimal rotation age at the expense of decreased carbon sequestration and bioenergy provision, posing a challenge to climate change mitigation. These findings have implications for formulating policies to manage conflicting ecosystem services of energy forests, offering valuable insights into the intersection of sustainable forest management and climate policy.

Evaluating airborne, mobile and terrestrial laser scanning for urban tree inventories: A case study in Ghent, Belgium

In urban tree inventories, structural measurements such as diameter at breast height (DBH), tree height (H), crown projection area (CPA) and crown volume (CV) are essential for diverse applications, including accurate ecosystem service estimation and management decisions. Traditionally, tree measurements are obtained using range finders and diameter tape. These measurements can be integrated into urban tree inventories through 3D laser scanning (also known as LiDAR). Multiple platforms for laser scanning exist, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, which have not yet been compared explicitly for urban tree inventories. We collected terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), mobile laser scanning (MLS) and airborne laser scanning (ALS) in leaf-on (TLS, MLS, ALS) and leaf-off conditions (TLS, MLS) in Ghent, Belgium. We evaluated the DBH, H, CPA and CV of 95 individual trees acquired from each acquisition platform, benchmarking against TLS. Our results show accurate DBH derivation from both TLS and MLS (bias < 2 cm, concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) ≈ 1). However, during leaf-on conditions, occlusion from shrubs and ivy is observed. For leaf-on MLS, point clouds of large trees exhibited occlusion in the top canopy, impacting crown volume (CV MLS leaf-on: bias = −116 m², CCC=0.85) and, to a lesser extent, tree height (H MLS leaf-on: bias = −0.38 m, CCC=0.99). Crown projected area was less affected (bias = 0.49 m², CCC=0.99), with differences more attributed to varying point precision among sensors. The difference between the metric and benchmark increased with tree size and the structural complexity of the surroundings (e.g. buildings), especially for MLS, for which limited GNSS coverage, traffic, and suboptimal walking patterns impeded ideal data collection. Our results will help city councils and tree managers choose the most optimal LiDAR platform for urban tree inventories, accounting for their purpose, site complexity and budget.