Regulating Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Impact of Paddy Field Expansion on Ecosystem Services and Associated Trade-Offs and Synergies in Sanjiang Plain

In recent decades, the integrity and security of the ecosystem in the Sanjiang Plain have faced severe challenges due to land reclamation. Understanding the impact of paddy field expansion on regional ecosystem services (ESs), as well as revealing the trade-offs and synergies (TOS) between these services to achieve optimal resource allocation, has become an urgent issue to address. This study employs the InVEST model to map the spatial and temporal dynamics of five key ESs, while the Optimal Parameter Geodetector (OPGD) identifies primary drivers of these changes. Correlation analysis and Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) reveal intricate TOS among ESs at multiple scales. Additionally, the Partial Least Squares-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) elucidates the direct impacts of paddy field expansion on ESs. The main findings include the following: (1) The paddy field area in the Sanjiang Plain increased from 5775 km2 to 18,773.41 km2 from 1990 to 2020, an increase of 12,998.41 km2 in 40 years. And the area of other land use types has generally decreased. (2) Overall, ESs showed a recovery trend, with carbon storage (CS) and habitat quality (HQ) initially decreasing but later improving, and consistent increases were observed in soil conservation, water yield (WY), and food production (FP). Paddy fields, drylands, forests, and wetlands were the main ES providers, with soil type, topography, and NDVI emerging as the main influencing factors. (3) Distinct correlations among ESs, where CS shows synergies with HQ and SC, while trade-offs are noted between CS and both WY and FP. These TOS demonstrate significant spatial heterogeneity and scale effects across subregions. (4) Paddy field expansion enhances regional SC, WY, and FP, but negatively affects CS and HQ. These insights offer a scientific basis for harmonizing agricultural development with ecological conservation, enriching our understanding of ES interrelationships, and guiding sustainable ecosystem management and policymaking.

Mapping and assessing the future provision of lake ecosystem services in Lithuania

Lakes supply multiple ecosystem services (ES), key to supporting socio-ecologic systems and human well-being. In the context of future land use and climate changes, it is imperative to anticipate potential impacts on lake ES supply. Hence, studies that deal with future lake ES, such as mapping, are lacking. In this work, we mapped and assessed the future supply of three ES: (1) maintenance of nursery conditions (nursery ES), (2) maintenance of chemical conditions of freshwaters (nutrient regulation ES), and (3) direct and indirect cultural outputs (recreation ES) in Lithuania. Four future scenarios were utilised, integrating land use and climate changes: A0 - business as usual; A1-urbanisation; A2: land abandonment and afforestation; and A3 - agricultural intensification. The projected year was 2050, following the intermediate Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP 4.5). The future scenarios were simulated using the open-source software Dinamica EGO based on a 6-step modelling framework. Statistical differences among the scenarios and ES were analysed by applying a Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test. Spatial analysis was done by performing a Moran's I and Getis-Ord (Gi∗) hotspot analysis. The results showed significant differences in nursery and nutrient regulation ES. The highest supply in nursery ES was observed for the A0 scenario. For nutrient regulation ES, the lowest ES supply was identified for the A1 scenario and for recreation ES, the highest was found in the A2 scenario. The eastern and northeastern regions of Lithuania showed a high ES supply. Hot spots were only identified in the eastern region. These regions are associated with a high area covered by forests and protected areas. The central region shows a low ES supply, identified as a cold spot where the agricultural landscape dominates. The results of the PCA analysis revealed an association between nursery and recreation ES. Nutrient regulation was not associated with the other two ES. Mapping and assessing the impact of future scenarios is vital to anticipating the potential dynamics of lake ES, especially in the context of climate change. This information is essential in the context of environmental management, helping decision-makers to ensure a sustainable ES supply and contributing to human wellbeing.

Assessing climatic change impacts on mangrove structural dynamics on the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf

Abstract. Monitoring long-term trends in structural changes within mangrove ecosystems is essential for understanding their response to climate change and devising effective adaptation strategies in coastal regions. This study examines changes in mangrove patchiness within the Hara Biosphere Reserve (HBR) along the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf (PG) over a 31-year period (1986-2017), focusing on variations in rainfall patterns and drought occurrences. Employing a 35-year time series of monthly Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) values alongside satellite imagery analysis, trends in both the number of patches (NP) and the Largest Patch Index (LPI) were assessed at the mangrove stand level. The analysis reveals a significant correlation between structural changes in mangroves and drought events. Pre-1998, characterized by wetter conditions, witnessed a decrease in both NP and LPI, indicating patch expansion and habitat extension. Conversely, post-1998, during drought periods, both indices increased, indicating habitat degradation due to heightened drought intensity. Pre-1998 structural changes in the HBR signify habitat expansion, with increased patch extent and core areas reflecting enhanced structural integrity. However, post-1998, a concerning trend of habitat degradation emerged, with increased NP and LPI attributed to intensified droughts. These findings highlight a transitional period marked by favourable conditions for mangrove growth followed by habitat degradation linked to increased drought intensity. This underscores the vulnerability of mangrove ecosystems to climate change impacts, particularly exacerbated droughts, necessitating urgent efforts for conservation and management to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services in coastal regions.

ECONOMY OF THE SERVICES OF COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS

This paper surveyed ecosystem services in coastal regions, seeking to build the concept of the economy of coastal ecosystem services in Brazil, especially the contribution of the function of the sea to the regional economy. The interest in the economic dynamics of coastal regions has attracted worldwide attention. In Brazil, the coastal zone covers 8,500 km in 17 federative units, counting more than 400 municipalities distributed from the North (Oiapoque/AP) to the extreme South (Santa Vitória do Palmar/RS). Such regions have abundant natural resources and biodiversity with a great capacity to generate economic gains. In this sense, coastal services were divided into six economic dimensions: energy; ports and logistics; fisheries and aquaculture; sociocultural dimension; Sports; and tourism. Finally, it is suggested the need for studies that quantify the relationship between the economic dynamics of coastal regions and environmental sustainability.

How closely do ecosystem services and life cycle assessment frameworks concur when evaluating contrasting animal-production systems with ruminant or monogastric species?

Life cycle assessment (LCA) and ecosystem services assessment (ESA) are often used for environmental assessment. LCA has been increasingly used over the past two decades to assess agri-food systems and has established that ruminant products have higher impacts per kg of protein than products from monogastric species. Conversely, ESA is used less but is likely to rank ruminant systems higher than monogastric systems, as the former often include grasslands that can provide high levels of regulating ecosystem services (ES). Here, we applied both methods to a selection of contrasting meat-oriented animal-production systems that included either ruminants or monogastrics (6 of each). We considered 16 environmental impact categories in the LCA and two functional units: 1 kg of human-edible protein (HEP) and 1 m2yr of land occupied. We used the life-cycle inventory step of LCA to characterize the land occupation of the systems, i.e. the land cover types used, such as croplands and grasslands. Based on these land covers and quantification of the ES they provide, we performed ESA. We estimated that ruminant systems had higher environmental impacts than monogastric systems per kg of HEP for all 16 LCA impact categories studied. For example, for ruminants and monogastrics, mean greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 280 vs. 32 kg CO2-eq., respectively (P = 0.002), and mean fossil energy use was 351 vs. 189 MJ, respectively (P = 0.009). The trend was the opposite for impacts per m2yr, with mean GHG emissions of 0.50 vs. 0.57 kg CO2-eq. (P = 0.485) and mean fossil energy use of 0.71 vs. 3.63 MJ (P = 0.002) for ruminants and monogastrics, respectively. We also estimated that ruminant systems had a higher capacity to supply regulating ES than monogastric systems did, with mean scores of 2.4 and 1.2, respectively (P = 0.002), due to multiple types of grasslands in ruminant systems. Applying both LCA and ESA to a range of contrasting animal-production systems was a novelty of this study, and ESA indicated that ruminant systems have higher positive environmental contributions than monogastric systems. The study also found that LCA and ESA frameworks can agree or disagree on the assessments of animal-production systems depending on functional unit used (i.e. agreement per unit of land occupied but disagreement per unit of HEP).

Forest ecosystem services of water-related filtration and regulation, a multi-source assessment and economic valuation in Mangla watershed

ABSTRACT Watershed forests offer crucial ecosystem services for hydrological systems. This study provides comprehensive insights into sediment retention within the Mangla watershed. We analyzed spatial layers from Sentinel-2 imagery, land use data, weather, soil properties, and terrain characteristics to identify soil erosion and sediment delivery hotspots. Using the Integrated Valuation of Environmental Services and Tradeoffs-sediment delivery ratio (InVEST-SDR) model, we quantified sediment exported to the downstream Mangla Dam. The InVEST-sediment retention (InVEST-SR) model estimated the sediment retention capacity of various land cover types. Our findings show that forests retained 20,300.70 tons of sediment in 2017 and 29,887.60 tons in 2021, making them the primary source of sediment retention. The economic value of this ecosystem service was approximately USD 2.59 trillion for 973,168.51 ha of forest in 2017 and USD 4.02 trillion for 1,023,927 ha in 2021. Understanding the dynamics and economic value of this forest ecosystem service at a large watershed scale provides essential insights for decision-making and conservation efforts aimed at protecting water resources and ecological integrity.

Value Assessment and Prediction of Regulating Ecosystem Services in Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, China

Ecosystem services serve as a bridge between the ecological environment and human society. The quantitative analysis and forecasting of ecosystem services can provide references for regional eco-environmental assessments and land-use planning for the future. In this study, taking Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park (HTRNP) as an example, the value of regulating ecosystem services (RESs) in 2020 was assessed via ArcGIS 10.1 and the InVEST 3.5 model, and the per-unit value of RESs was calculated for different LULC types. In addition, in accordance with the Overall Planning for HTRNP and the objective of optimizing RESs, the value of RESs in short-term (to 2030) and long-term (to 2050) scenarios was forecast via a linear programming model. The results are as follows: (1) The RES value of HTRNP in 2020 was CNY 2090.67 × 108, with climate regulation accounting for the largest proportion; the spatial distribution of RESs in the eastern and central areas was higher than that in the western area, but different indicators of RESs differed in their spatial patterns in varied geographic units. (2) The natural forest ecosystem in HTRNP accounts for 76.94% of the total area but 84.82% of the total value of RESs. The per-unit value is ranked from highest to lowest as follows: montane rainforests > wetlands > lowland rainforests > lowland secondary rainforests > tropical coniferous forests > deciduous monsoon rainforests > tropical cloud forests > shrub forests > timber forests > economic forests > rubber forests > grasslands > farmlands > settlements. (3) In the short-term scenario, the value of RESs is CNY 2216.64 × 108, an increase of CNY 118.97 × 108 compared to 2020, with an increase rate of 5.67%. In the long-term scenario, the value of RESs is CNY 2472.48 × 108, an increase of CNY 374.81 × 108 compared to 2020, with an increase rate of 17.87%. The results reveal the significance of ecosystem services in the national park and can inform more targeted and scientifically sound decision-making in the future.

How to Achieve the Ecological Sustainability Goal of Ecologically Fragile Areas on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: A Multi-Scenario Simulation of Lanzhou-Xining Urban Agglomerations

The future of the ecologically fragile areas on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is a matter of concern. With the implementation of the Western Development Strategy, the Lanzhou-Xining Urban Agglomeration (LXUA) has encountered conflicts and compromises between urban expansion, ecological protection, and farmland protection policies in the rapid development of the past 2 decades. These deeply affect the land use layout, making the ecological sustainable development of the ecologically fragile areas of the QTP a complex and urgent issue. Exploring the impact of different policy-led land use patterns on regional ecosystem services is of great significance for the sustainable development of ecologically fragile areas and the formulation of relevant policies. Following the logical main line of “history-present-future”, the Patch-level Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model, which explores potential factors of historical land use, and the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model were used to construct three future scenarios for the modernization stage in 2031 dominated by different land use policies in this study. These scenarios include the Business-as-Usual Scenario (BS), the Cropland Protection Scenario (CP), and the Ecological Protection Scenario (EP). The study analyzed and predicted land use changes in the LXUA from 2001 to 2031 and assessed carbon storage, habitat quality at different time points, and water yield in 2021. The results indicated that land use changes from 2001 to 2021 reflect the impacts and conflicts among the Western Development Strategy, ecological protection policies, and cropland preservation policies. In 2031, construction land continues to increase under all three scenarios, expanding northwards around Lanzhou, consistent with the actual “northward expansion” trend of Lanzhou City. Changes in other land uses are in line with the directions guided by land use policy. By 2031, carbon storage and habitat quality decline under all scenarios, with the highest values observed in the EP scenario, the lowest carbon storage in the BS scenario, and the lowest habitat quality in the CP scenario. Regarding water yield, the LXUA primarily relies on alpine snowmelt, with construction land overlapping high evapotranspiration areas. Based on the assessment of ecosystem services, urban expansion, delineation of ecological red lines, and improvement of cropland quality in the LXUA were proposed. These findings and recommendations can provide a scientific basis for policy makers and planning managers in the future.

Permafrost Food Storage Monitoring and Vulnerability Assessment in Utqiaġvik, Alaska

Traditional Iñupiaq sigḷuaq are cellars excavated into permafrost for storage of large quantities of game, fish, and other foodstuffs harvested for subsistence. Permafrost provides both a cultural and regulatory ecosystem service to Arctic peoples. A cellar thermal monitoring program in Utqiaġvik (formerly Barrow), Alaska, documented catastrophic flooding, collapses, and other issues in these cellars related to warming climatic conditions, community functions, and development. This paper provides an update on the Utqiaġvik monitoring program, which was operational from 2005 to 2019. All five monitored cellars exhibited stable to warming mean annual internal temperatures over the period of observation. Two cellars flooded, another was abandoned because of sloughing walls, and two were functioning until the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on experiences gained from the 14-year Utqiaġvik monitoring program, we conduct a vulnerability assessment using the source-pathway-receptor-consequence (SPRC) model and identify several vulnerability reduction measures. We recommend the SPRC model to aid evaluation of specific vulnerabilities of cellars and other traditional frozen infrastructure, and to improve future monitoring methods and products through increased community participation. Any attempt to provide data for community-resilience decisions should start with identifying and communicating process components, thereby bridging stakeholder learning and responses (their “heuristics” in the SPRC model) and science-based knowledge.

Sustainable development of urban agglomerations around lakes in China: Achieving SDGs by regulating Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand through New-type Urbanization

The mechanism through which New-type Urbanization (NU), as a new direction in urban development, influences the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by regulating the Ecosystem Services (ES) supply and demand remains to be determined. It is particularly true in urban agglomerations around lakes, characterized by severe human-land conflicts, where socio-economic development is closely linked to water. We selected China's urban agglomerations around lakes as the study area. We investigated the spatio-temporal heterogeneity of NU and the Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand Ratio (ESDR) from 2000 to 2018. We specifically focused on the dynamic trends of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Furthermore, we utilized Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to reveal the direct effects and indirect pathways through which NU influences the achievement of SDGs in the study area, emphasizing the differentiated performance of this mechanism across various urban agglomerations around Lakes. The results indicated that the ESDR has a particularly evident downward trend in urban centers along lakes, rivers, and road networks in spatial terms. The level of NU in urban agglomerations around lakes has increased by about 50% overall. It geographically exhibits three main spatial distribution patterns: “diffusion along the lake,” “homogeneous distribution,” and “diffusion along the river.” NU directly inhibits the achievement of SDGs but indirectly promotes the improvement of ESDR for food production and soil conservation, thereby indirectly facilitating the achievement of SDG 2 and SDG 15, but has an inhibitory effect on SDG 13. By regulating ESDR, NU is most effective in achieving SDGs in the urban agglomerations around Poyang Lake and Dongting Lake but has a significant inhibitory effect on the urban agglomeration around Hongze Lake. This research provides quantitative evidence for the urban planning shift, terrestrial ecosystem function restoration, and SDGs achievement in urban agglomerations around lakes. It also offers new insights from China for the sustainable urban construction of urban agglomerations around lakes worldwide.

New native species for extensive green roofs to enrich urban ecosystem services in semiarid regions

New native species for extensive green roofs to enrich urban ecosystem services in semiarid regions

Multi-Scenario Simulation of Land Use and Assessment of Carbon Stocks in Terrestrial Ecosystems Based on SD-PLUS-InVEST Coupled Modeling in Nanjing City

In the context of achieving the goal of carbon neutrality, exploring the changes in land demand and ecological carbon stocks under future scenarios at the urban level is important for optimizing regional ecosystem services and developing a land-use structure consistent with sustainable development strategies. We propose a framework of a coupled system dynamics (SD) model, patch generation land-use simulation (PLUS) model, and integrated valuation of ecosystem services and trade-offs (InVEST) model to dynamically simulate the spatial and temporal changes of land use and land-cover change (LUCC) and ecosystem carbon stocks under the NDS (natural development scenario), EPS (ecological protection scenario), RES (rapid expansion scenario), and HDS (high-quality development scenario) in Nanjing from 2020 to 2040. From 2005 to 2020, the expansion rate of construction land in Nanjing reached 50.76%, a large amount of ecological land shifted to construction land, and the ecological carbon stock declined dramatically. Compared with 2020, the ecosystem carbon stocks of the EPS and HDS increased by 2.4 × 106 t and 1.5 × 106 t, respectively, with a sizable ecological effect. It has been calculated that forest and cultivated land are the two largest carbon pools in Nanjing, and the conservation of both is decisive for the future carbon stock. It is necessary to focus on enhancing the carbon stock of forest ecosystems while designating differentiated carbon sink enhancement plans based on the characteristics of other land types. Fully realizing the carbon sink potential of each ecological functional area will help Nanjing achieve its carbon neutrality goal. The results of the study not only reveal the challenges of ecological conservation in Nanjing but also provide useful guidance for enhancing the carbon stock of urban terrestrial ecosystems and formulating land-use planning in line with sustainable development strategies.

Spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem service bundles and the driving factors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

Defining a multi-service spatial pattern and ecosystem packages is the key to ensuring regional ecological security and sustainable development. Ecosystem service bundles can effectively discern the interactions among multiple services and regionalize ecological functional zones. Aiming at a range of environmental and ecological challenges in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, such as water scarcity, soil erosion, land degradation, poor forest and grassland quality, and shrinking agricultural land, the spatial pattern and driving forces of eight crux ecosystem services, including product supply, soil conservation, water conservation, carbon storage, sand fixation, environment purification, biological diversity and recreation culture, were analyzed by combining multiple model algorithms. Additionally, spatial system clustering was employed to identify ecosystem services bundles and optimize the ecological functional zoning. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity of the eight ecosystem services in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. High product supply concentrated in plain regions, while the rest seven ecosystem services were dominant in in mountainous areas. The region can be classified into four service bundles: ecological conservation service (ECS), ecological restoration service (ERS), product supply service (PSS) and ecological fragile service (EFS). ECS and ERS are dominated by regulating and supporting services, which are primarily driven by climatic factors and NDVI. ERS exhibits relatively low service level and is the crucial area for future ecological restoration. PSS is dominated by food supply, with land use change being the primary driving force. At present, with the rapid urbanization, various ecosystem services provided by EFS is inadequate. In the future, urban ecological construction should be strengthened to enhance regional ecosystem services capabilities.

Treatment effects of conservation trenching on regulating and provisioning ecosystem services

United Nation Sustainable Development Goal 15.3 make a note of growing significance of management and restoration strategies for degraded land, and advocating globally for collaborative frameworks of innovative applied research and policy. Present study, quantified the impacts of the staggered contour trenching (SCT) technology in conjunction with silvi-pasture production system on regulating and provisioning ecosystem services of degraded mini-watersheds. Impacts of the SCT on hydrologic regulating ecosystem services were quantified by employing the paired watershed approach. Concept of watersheds with and without treatments was employed for computing non-hydrologic regulating and provisioning ecosystem services of the SCT in conjunction with silvi-pasture system. Results of analyses revealed that the SCT density of 505 trenches ha−1 had the highest reduction in the hydrologic regulating services namely, mean annual runoff event, runoff amount and soil loss, which were 35.5, 63.3, and 3.73%, respectively followed by 378, and 186 trenches ha−1. The highest improvement in the effective rainfall (9.9%) and effective rainfall efficiency (15.0%) was also with 505 trenches ha−1. The SCT density of 505 trenches ha−1 had retained silt 23.1 and 1.2 times higher than that of 378 and 186 trenches ha−1. The values of the post-treatment non-hydrologic regulating services of 505 trenches ha−1 were many folds higher compare to other trenching densities. Improvement in the non-hydrologic regulating services of the available -nitrogen, -potash and -potassium, and soil organic carbon values of the post-treatment of 505 trenches ha−1 were 36.7, 44.2, 25.8, and 25.0% than their pre-treatment values, respectively. Provisioning ecosystem services in term of the yields of the wood biomass of the Acacia nilotica and the Cenchrus ciliaris were the highest with 505 trenches ha−1 than the control (no trench) by 166.2 and 21.5%, respectively. Study indicated that 505 trenches ha−1 SCT density in the silvi-pasture production system was the best practices in conserving and maintaining the degraded land ecosystem services. These findings would be very supportive to the policy makers and degraded land managers for reclaiming and improving the sustainability and ecosystem functioning of the degraded land ecosystem for achieving the SDG 5.3 and maintaining the land degradation neutrality.

Quantification and mapping of regulating ecosystem services in canola agroecosystems (case study: Gorgan County, Iran).

Regulating services are the advantages that humans receive from regulating ecosystem processes. These services include, but are not limited to pollination, climate regulation, water purification, carbon sequestration, and erosion control. Quantifying and mapping ecosystem services in agroecosystems is one of the main effective actions to increase pay attention to these services and adopt suitable approaches to direct sustainability. The purpose of the study was quantification, and mapping of regulating ecosystem services in canola agroecosystems of Gorgan County, north of Iran. For this purpose, some regulating services such as carbon sequestration, climate regulation, soil microbial respiration, soil aggregate stability, and pollination by insects were evaluated based on the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services framework. The information and data required for each of these services were collected through field measurements, laboratory experiments, and field surveys. After quantifying, the surveyed services in canola agroecosystems were presented on geospatial maps generated by ArcGIS software, version 10.3. Results showed that agroecosystems in the west and north of the studied region provided the more regulating services. Also, the results of the pollination showed that pollinating insects belonged to four orders and 13 families. The majority of the pollinators were Hymenoptera (44.74%), especially honey bees (Apis mellifera L.), Diptera (5.26%), Butterflies (Lepidoptera; 25%), and the beetles (Coleoptera; 25%), and Anthophora sp. and Andrena sp. were the second and the third most abundant pollinating species after honey bees. Generally, the canola agroecosystems close to the rivers and the natural ecosystems provided more services than other regions.

Urban forest cover and ecosystem service response to fire varies across California communities

Urban fires that result from wildfires are an emerging, extreme event affecting communities and urban forests globally. However, much of the fire effects on urban ecosystems literature is primarily focused on Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas, correlates of building loss, risk mitigation, and wildland vegetation and fuels. Three recent urban fires in California USA provided an opportunity to explore these effects on urban forests: the 2017 Tubbs (Santa Rosa) and Thomas (Ventura) and the 2018 Camp fire that burned Paradise. Accordingly, we analyzed pre- and post-fire neighborhood level urban tree cover (nUTC) change over 5 years using Sentinel and LiDAR data (10m resolution). Then, we explored the effects of fire severity on changes in several regulating ecosystem services (e.g., carbon, air pollution, stormwater). Findings from the Rapid Assessment of Vegetation Condition after Wildfire severity processes and other geospatial datasets show that fire effects were patchy with fire severity within neighborhoods ranging from unburned to extreme. We found that ~5 years after the fires, and relative to adjacent non-fire affected neighborhoods, Ventura and Santa Rosa’s nUTC is recovering to pre-fire levels while Paradise’s nUTC is being consistently lost over time. Ventura and Santa Rosa had 20-25% of their fire affected area outside established WUI boundaries. However, local-scale urban tree cover and ecosystem service supply are lagged, and recovery time depends on the surrounding biome and socio-ecological context. In inland, higher elevation communities – like Paradise – the recovery of nUTC and the associated ecosystem services might materialize over a much longer timeframe. Our study provides a roadmap to assess the response of urban wildfire-affected tree cover and ecosystem services across space and time. It is also one of the first assessments of fire effects on urban ecosystems and communities outside of WUI boundaries that are now experiencing increased threat from wildfires globally.

Supply and demand analysis and security pattern optimization of flood regulation ecosystem services adapted to the complex terrain of coastal estuaries: A case study in Xiamen

The flood risk in coastal areas has been exacerbated by global climate change. Research on flood risk assessment is emerging from the perspective of supply and demand for flood regulation ecosystem services (FRES). However, there are still limitations in the evaluation of lowland regulation, implementation of intelligent algorithms, comparison of multi-grain FRES supply and demand, and overall optimization of security pattern. Therefore, we propose a comprehensive FRES supply assessment method that incorporates soil and vegetation, lowland, and water regulations. Additionally, we introduce the random forest model to enhance the FRES demand assessment approach. Two grain sizes of the sub-catchment area and grid unit are used to compare FRES supply and demand. Using Xiamen as a case study, this research unveils the following findings: (1) Significant disparities exist between the assessment outcomes of FRES based on multiple types of regulatory services and those solely considering soil and vegetation regulation. The areas with high FRES supply extend beyond upper mountain forests to include local lower plains exhibiting strong capabilities for lowland or water system regulation. (2) Consistent yet distinct results are observed when comparing two grain sizes. Imbalances in supply and demand occur in estuaries, bays, and densely built-up regions. Sub-catchment units exhibit wider distribution and concentration, while grid units display more dispersed patterns. (3) In terms of in-situ regulation, 26.77 km2 ecological protection area, 9.85 km2 ecological restoration area, and 119.59 km2 construction land flood control intervention area are demarcated. From a directional regulation perspective, 22 FRES corridors connecting source and sink areas along with 24 pinch points are identified. Optimizing security patterns through coordinated management of FRES supply and demand can enhance the resilience of coastal estuaries.

Quantifying the Ecological Performance of Migratory Bird Conservation: Evidence from Poyang Lake Wetlands in China.

Protected areas are essential for the conservation of biodiversity. However, the rapid expansion of urbanization and the intensification of human activities have significantly disrupted environmental integrity, leading to a continuous deterioration in both the quantity and quality of large ecological patches. This has further diminished the connectivity among ecological patches, leading to significant consequences for regional biodiversity conservation. Taking Poyang Lake as a case study, which serves as a crucial wintering habitat for migratory birds along the East Asia-Australasia flyway, this research employs ArcMap technology. It considers various factors including land use type, slope, and elevation to evaluate habitat quality and degradation through the application of the InVEST model. Additionally, the study utilizes the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model alongside circuit theory to delineate ecological corridors within the area and to establish a comprehensive ecological network system. The research results in this paper are as follows. (i) During the period from 2000 to 2020, there was an overall decline in habitat quality within the study area, indicating a clear trend of habitat degradation. However, it is worth noting that there was an increase in habitat quality in certain local areas within the protected area. (ii) The ecological resistance values in the core area of the migratory bird reserve in Poyang Lake are generally low. However, the ecological resistance values of the habitats have shown a consistent increase from 2000 to 2020. Additionally, there has been a significant decrease in the density of ecological corridors during this time period. (iii) Over the period from 2000 to 2020, both the number and connectivity of ecological corridors decreased and their integrity and functionality degraded. Consequently, this weakened role of the ecological network has had implications for maintaining regional biodiversity and ecosystem service functions. The findings indicate two conclusions. (i) Ecological connectivity is essential for the conservation of migratory bird habitats. Strengthening control measures aimed at expanding ecological corridors can effectively safeguard flagship and umbrella species, thereby promoting biodiversity conservation. (ii) The establishment of ecological corridors can help reconcile conflicts between conservation efforts and development objectives. This reconciliation carries significant theoretical implications for fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and birds in Poyang Lake's migratory bird sanctuary.

Evaluation and Optimization of Landscape Spatial Patterns and Ecosystem Services in the Northern Agro-Pastoral Ecotone, China

The alteration of landscape spatial patterns (LSPs) and ecosystem services (ESs) in watersheds can have detrimental effects on the local environment and community. However, a comprehensive understanding of the current state of LSPs and ESs in watersheds around Winter Olympic venues in China is limited. Here, we assessed current LSPs and ESs and developed optimization strategies for the Xigou watershed around Winter Olympic venues in the northern agro-pastoral ecotone of China. The results indicated that the main land use type was grassland in the Xigou watershed, and landscape types were relatively homogenous. All three ESs (water yield, sediment retention, and carbon storage) generally improved from 2004 to 2020. For ESs, there was the lowest total volume of water yield in 2004 (637.44 × 104 m3). But sediment retention (10.54 × 106 t, 18.13 × 106 t, 13.28 × 106 t, and 16.85 × 106 t) had an upward, then downward, then upward trend before and after ERP. Carbon storage grew steadily. Correlation analysis suggested that the three ESs were closely related to the landscape spatial indices of average patch area (AREA_MN), contagion index (CONTAG), and Shannon’s evenness index (SHEI). AREA_MN, CONTAG, and SHEI in the eastern part of the study area promoted sediment retention and carbon storage, while in the southwestern part of the study area, they inhibited water yield and sediment retention. The results suggest that improving sediment retention by optimizing land use and cover change (LUCC) and LSPs is the main approach to further enhance ESs in the study area. Our study suggests that the inclusion of multiple landscape pattern indices can provide a more comprehensive representation of regional ecosystem service.

Urban Sprawl and Imbalance between Supply and Demand of Ecosystem Services: Evidence from China’s Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomerations

The contradiction between ecological resource protection and urban sprawl in urban agglomeration areas is becoming more and more prominent, facing a serious imbalance between the supply and demand of ecosystem services. To analyze the impact of urban agglomeration expansion on regional ecosystem services, based on multi-source data, an assessment model of supply and demand of ecosystem services for water conservation, carbon sequestration, soil conservation and crop production was constructed. With the help of value transformation model and spatial analysis method, this paper explores the risk of ecosystem service supply and demand imbalance faced by the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration in the process of expansion. This study found that the supply capacity of ecosystem services in the YRDUA has continued to decline at the spatial pixel scale; ecosystem service value deficits are a common problem in the YRDUA, with cities around Taihu Lake, such as Shanghai and Suzhou, being the most serious; the value surplus areas are concentrated in the southern cities, such as Xuancheng and Chizhou, but the balance between the supply of and demand for ecosystem services in these cities is also facing a challenge as the cities are expanding. This study analyzed the spatial pattern changes in the Yangtze River Delta region in the context of urban sprawl from the perspective of ecosystem service supply and demand, which helps to clarify the changing ecosystem service dynamics of the region and guide the formulation of urban planning policies and to achieve a balance between ecological supply and demand as well as sustainable development.