Provision Of Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Mapping and Analyzing Ecosystem Services Hotspots and Coldspots for Sustainable Spatial Planning in the Greater Asmara Area, Eritrea.

Rapid urbanization in African metropolises like the Greater Asmara Area, Eritrea, poses numerous environmental challenges, including soil sealing, loss of vegetation cover, threats to protected natural areas, and climate change, among others. Mapping and assessing ecosystem services, particularly analyzing their spatial and temporal distribution is crucial for sustainable spatial planning. This study aims at mapping and analyzing ecosystem services hotspots and coldspots dynamics in the Greater Asmara Area to identify recent trends and opportunities for enhancing ecosystem services supply. Utilizing remote sensing images, we produced land cover maps for 2009 and 2020 and mapped six ecosystem services through a lookup table approach. The study includes provisioning, regulating and maintenance, and cultural ecosystem services. We analyzed their spatio-temporal variations, identifying ecosystem services hotspots and coldspots and their changes over time. Results show that overall ecosystem services potential in the Greater Asmara Area remains low but stable, with some improvements. By 2020, areas with no ecosystem services potential decreased in southern regions like Gala Nefhi and Berik, and new hotspots and coldspots emerged in central Gala Nefhi. This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility and key challenges of the ecosystem services hotspots and coldspots approach for sustainable spatial planning in rapidly urbanizing African metropolitan regions. Despite limitations, the study offers valuable insights into ecosystem services potentials, and related hotspots and coldspots dynamics, raising awareness and paving the way for further research and application.

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.

Evaluating the impact of Nature-based Solutions on the provision of water-related and water-dependant Ecosystem Services

Evaluating the impact of Nature-based Solutions on the provision of water-related and water-dependant Ecosystem Services

Arthropod removal in wheat fields enhanced yield regardless of natural habitat patch proximity

Natural habitat patches can be essential in conserving biodiversity and providing ecosystem services for agroecological systems. However, adopting a land-sharing approach requires a deep understanding of the agricultural costs and benefits associated with the existence of adjacent natural habitat patches. We used 17 paired natural habitat patch-wheat field replicates to test the effects of distance from the natural patches and removal of ground-dwelling arthropods from the field on the wheat yield. Removing ground-dwelling arthropods increased wheat yield. Community compositions of ground-dwelling arthropods in the natural habitat patches and wheat fields varied significantly, irrespective of the distance from the natural patch. In April and May, near the wheat harvest, predator abundance was higher in the natural habitat patches than in the wheat fields, whereas the abundance of potential pests was much higher in the wheat fields. This reduced predator-pest ratio in the wheat fields may explain why removing ground-dwelling arthropods increased wheat yield. Future research should focus on developing effective methods for managing ground-dwelling and vertical wheat pest populations while preserving their natural enemies' integrity within the fields and adjacent natural habitat patches.

Anthropogenic Effects on Green Infrastructure Spatial Patterns in Kisangani City and Its Urban–Rural Gradient

Urban and peri-urban expansion significantly influences the spatial pattern of cities and surrounding zones. This study examines the spatial changes in green infrastructure components, specifically focusing on mature forests, short forests, and agricultural and grass lands from 1986 to 2021, using satellite imagery. Two landscape ecology indexes, the percentage of landscape (PLAND), and the largest patch index (LPI), were applied. PLAND provides insights into the proportion of habitat types, capturing overall extent, while LPI elucidates their spatial configuration. The research is conducted in a specific context of increasing urbanization and peri-urbanization in Kisangani city, DR Congo. The findings reveal a decline in both mature and short forests, respectively, from 1986 to 2021, and from 2006 to 2021 alongside a continuous expansion of agricultural and grass lands at the landscape scale. Moreover, the spatial pattern of mature and short forests exhibited significant variations across urban, peri-urban, and rural zones. In the context of 2021, in urban and peri-urban zones, mature forests account for less than 1% of the 2.25 km2 plots, against more than 35% in certain rural plots. Similarly, larger patches of mature forest in urban and peri-urban zones cover less than 0.5% of the 2.25 km2 plots, whereas they exceed 20% in rural zones. From 1986 to 2021, both mature and short forests experienced significant decline and fragmentation, particularly in urban and peri-urban zones, while agricultural and grass lands increased significantly in peri-urban and rural zones. These results raise concerns regarding the functions, services, and opportunities provided by mature and short forests in the context of global change. They also highlight the need for urban planning in Kisangani to prioritize green infrastructure preservation, focusing on maintaining forest connectivity and preventing further fragmentation. Policies should promote sustainable land use in peri-urban zones to achieve a balance between urban expansion and the provision of essential ecosystem services, thereby enhancing long-term resilience.

Enhancing soil carbon in solar farms through active land management: a systematic review of the available evidence

Abstract Ground-mounted solar farms are becoming common features of agricultural landscapes worldwide in the move to meet internationally agreed Net Zero targets. In addition to offering low-carbon energy, solar farms in temperate environments can be purposely managed as grasslands that enhance soil carbon uptake to maximise their climate benefits and improve soil health. However, there is little evidence to date on the ecosystem effects of land use change for solar farms, including their impact on soil carbon storage and sequestration potential through land management practices. We review the latest evidence on the associations between grassland management options commonly adopted by solar farms in temperate regions (plant diversity manipulation, mowing, grazing, and nutrient addition) and soil carbon to identify appropriate land management practices that can enhance soil carbon within solar farms managed as grasslands. Soil carbon response to land management intervention is highly variable and context-dependent, but those most likely to enhance soil carbon accrual include organic nutrient addition (e.g., cattle slurry), low-to-moderate intensity sheep grazing, and the planting of legume and plant indicator species. Plant removal and long-term (years to decades) mineral fertilisation are the most likely to result in soil carbon loss over time. These results can inform policy and industry best practice to increase ecosystem service provision within solar farms and help them deliver net environmental benefits beyond low-carbon energy. Regular monitoring and data collection (preferably using standardised methods) will be needed to ensure soil carbon gains from land management practices, especially given the microclimatic and management conditions found within solar farms.

Realization of Integrated Regional Ecological Management Based on Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand Flow Networks: An Example from a Dominant Mineral Resources Development Area

Understanding the flow processes and pattern optimization of ecosystem services (ESs) supply and demand is crucial for integrated regional ecological management. However, the understanding of the flow process of ESs at the 1 km grid scale is still limited, especially in areas dominated by mineral resource development. The landscape in these areas has undergone significant changes due to mining activities. It is urgent to construct a regional management model that integrates the flow of ecosystem services and mine restoration. This study developed a framework that links ecosystem service flows (ESFs) and ecological security patterns (ESP) based on multi-source ecological monitoring data, constructed an ES supply-demand flow network through the flow properties, and determined the sequence and optimization strategies for mine rehabilitation to achieve integrated regional management. The results show that, except for food production (FP), other services were in surplus overall, mostly in synergistic relationships, but the spatial distribution of their supply and demand was not coordinated. Surplus areas were located mainly in the eastern woodlands, and deficit areas were located in the northwestern production agglomeration centers, suggesting that areas of supply-demand imbalance can be mitigated through ecological integration. Among these, water yield (WY) had a small number of sources and sinks and is limited in area range. Habitat quality (HQ) sources and sinks had the largest area coverage and the highest number. The distribution of ESF corridors, influenced by factors such as the number of sources and sinks, flow characteristics, and spatial resistance, varied significantly. HQ exhibited a more uniform distribution range, while WY had a longer average length of flow path. Overlaying ecological and mining factors, we identified ecological strategic spots, important supply areas, beneficiary areas, and mine priority restoration areas to further optimize the overall layout and rationally allocate the intrinsic structure of the patches based on ES supply and demand.

BATS: Bat‐aggregated time series—A python‐based toolkit for landscape‐level monitoring of free‐tailed bats via weather radar

Abstract The US operates a system of 160 S‐band Doppler weather radars known as NEXRAD (NEXt generation weather RADar) that continuously monitors the airspace around the majority of the United States and outlying territories. These radars detect and track birds, insects, and bats. Free‐tailed bats (Genus Tadarida) provide considerable ecosystem services through their voracious insect consumption; but their movements and ecosystem service provision have historically been difficult to track/study in space and time. We introduce ‘BATS’, a Python toolkit that streamlines the process of downloading, classifying, and aggregating time series of free‐tailed bats across large landscapes. BATS retrieves data from NOAA's weather radar data repositories and classifies the processed radar data using a pre‐trained ML trained to detect and classify radar echoes associated with free‐tailed bats. We trained various machine learning approaches at classifying pixels containing free‐tailed bats and compared the effectiveness across approaches. With an AUC of 0.963, the neural network approach is highly effective in identifying free‐tailed bats in NEXRAD data over our study sites in California and Texas. Furthermore, BATS is capable of quickly distilling 6 months of radar data from a single tower (3.5 Tb) into a single 15 Mb‐sized map of bat occurrence, contingent on available computing resources. BATS will help scientists and stakeholders identify areas of high bat occupancy at the landscape level over long periods of time. This ability has the potential to increase our understanding of the economic and agricultural value of these species.

Macrophyte Diversity and Ecosystem Services in Wetlands of Eastern Ranchi: A Multi-site Analysis of Abundance, Frequency, and Importance Value Index Patterns

Macrophytes, visible aquatic and semi-aquatic plants, are integral components of wetland ecosystems, playing crucial roles in maintaining biodiversity, providing ecosystem services, and ensuring ecological stability. This research examines the distribution, abundance, frequency, diversity, and ecosystem services of macrophytes in several wetlands (W1-W7) located in the eastern part of Ranchi district, Jharkhand, India. The study sites include Bundu Lake, Hindalco Pond, Choga Bada Talab, Raja Bandh, Kita Uparbandh, Tamar Bada Talab, and Rukka Dam. A quantitative assessment using quadrat sampling and phytosociological methods was conducted from September 2022 to March 2023 to ensure accurate data collection and analysis. The study documented 78 macrophyte species belonging to 33 families and 58 genera. Emergent macrophytes were found to be the dominant life form, constituting 69% of the recorded species. Several species demonstrated high frequency and abundance across multiple study sites, including Pontederia crassipes Mart., Alternanthera philoxeroides (Mart) Griseb., Hydrilla verticillata (L.f.) Royle, Ipomoea aquaticaForssk., and Nymphoides hydrophyllum (Lour.) kuntze. To assess the diversity and ecological characteristics of the macrophyte communities, various diversity indices were calculated. These included the Shannon-Wiener index, Simpson's index, Margalef index, and Pielou's Evenness index. The results of these analyses revealed high levels of macrophyte diversity and evenness within the studied wetlands. Twenty-one macrophytes were identified as key species and nine species as rare species based on their IVI (Importance Value Index) scores. The key species were found to provide essential ecosystem services, including erosion control, water quality improvement, nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration, and habitat provision for other organisms. This research contributes significantly to our understanding of macrophyte diversity patterns and traits-based ecosystem services in wetland ecosystems. The findings of this study have important implications for the development and implementation of effective conservation strategies for these vital wetland ecosystems in the eastern Ranchi (W1- W7).

Monetary Value of Surf Zone Fishery Resources on the SouthWest Iberian Peninsula

ABSTRACTBeaches are among the world's most important coastal ecosystems, within which surf zones are crucial providers of essential ecosystem services to humans. We completed the first estimate of current and potential monetary value of fishery resources in surf zones of beaches on the southwestern Iberian Peninsula. Over 1 year, five beaches in the Gulf of Cádiz were sampled using a beach seine. For monetary valuation, average first‐sale prices were used, with a capital update based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The 189.16 kg of 38 commercial species captured had a potential monetary value (PMV) of 408.63 €/ha. The annual value of adult fish (19 species) averaged 115.05 €/ha and juvenile fish (33 species) averaged 293.58 €/ha. Our findings highlight the value of surf zones and beaches as fishery resources, similar to other marine ecosystems. Our findings are useful for ongoing monitoring and research to enhance knowledge of these areas and the array of ecosystem services they provide.

The Influence of Habitat Diversity on Bat Species Richness and Feeding Behavior in Chilean Vineyards: Implications for Agroecological Practices

Agriculture is a leading cause of biodiversity loss, making the transition to sustainable agroecological practices crucial. Insectivorous bats play a crucial role as biological controllers in regard to agricultural crops, serving as important insect predators. The purpose of this study is to assess bat communities in three distinct habitats, namely the interior of a vineyard, native vegetation, and the transitional edge between them, by analyzing the echolocation patterns of different species. Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the influence of landscape characteristics on bat communities and at the species level, allowing the incorporation of variables at different scales (at 10 m, 100 m, and 1000 m radius) from each sampling site. Our results show that edges enhance bat richness, their general activity, and feeding patterns, and are of particular benefit to certain species: Tadarida brasiliensis, Myotis chiloensis, and Lasiurus varius. Implementing agroecological practices, such as the maintenance of tree hedgerows at the landscape scale, along with native vegetation at the landscape scale, can amplify feeding activity in vineyards, thereby enhancing the provision of ecosystem services in agroecosystems. The edges of vineyards and natural vegetation are crucial for providing habitats for bats and increasing their foraging activity, as well as providing a way to enhance agroecological practices in vineyards to bolster ecosystem services.

Public preferences for edible invasive alien marine species - The Atlantic blue crab in southern Italy

Since 2014, the provision of the aquatic ecosystem services has been gradually affected due to the biological invasion of Callinectes sapidus (Rathbun, 1896, Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae), commonly known as Atlantic blue crab, across several lagoon-like locations in Italy. In addition, this serious aquatic invasive species, native of North American coasts, has already inflicted economic damage of about EUR 100 million to the Italian fishing and farming communities over the past year. To counter their severe and rapid spread, the Italian Government has encouraged the fishing communities to catch as many as possible and commercially exploit them for human consumption in an attempt to manage their expansion. Since there is an ongoing promotion for the consumption of blue crab by forging novel food businesses in Italy, this paper aims to predict the public preferences and their willingness to pay (WTP) towards this biological invader. For this purpose, a discrete choice experiment approach is used, by means of a multinomial logit model (MNL) and latent class model (LCM). The social field survey involves a representative sample of 440 valid respondents in Apulia Region, southern Italy. The descriptive statistics results reveal that 67.50% of the local citizens interviewed know about the blue crab invasion, while 29.09% of them have already consumed this seafood species. In addition, the MNL results show that the most appreciated attributes of the blue crabs by respondents are freshness and large size. Further, the LCM findings reveal two representative classes of Apulian consumers; the first group of citizens (70.9% of total respondents) expresses positive appreciation for consuming blue crabs, while the second group (29.1% of total respondents) is not willing to pay a premium price regarding this potential commercial activity. Furthermore, the econometric results show that the average value that Apulian’s (i.e. those belonging to Class/Group I of respondents) WTP for blue crabs’ consumption is about EUR 18 per kilogram. In this regard, this research has public and private implications and may reasonably promote the commercial exploitation of blue crabs, enhancing the reduction of its population density through human consumption as a promised management control strategy and forging a novel profitable business mainly for local small-scale artisanal fisheries.

The plant ecology of nature‐based solutions for people, biodiversity and climate

Abstract Integrated solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises—together with other global sustainability challenges—include the identification, design and implementation of nature‐based solutions (NbS). Living organisms mediate biogeochemical cycles and greenhouse gas fluxes from land and sea, and provide NbS to both climate change mitigation and adaptation. Plants, as the primary producers in ecosystems, lie at the heart of NbS. Plant ecology provides the foundation for developing and evaluating NbS based on an understanding of the ecological processes that underlie ecosystem service flow to people. In this Special Feature, we provide a collection of mini‐reviews that presents concise and focused analysis of the plant ecology of NbS. The mini‐reviews highlight key insights, challenges and opportunities for future research. The development of NbS that target specific ecosystem functions (e.g. carbon storage), or aim at increasing ecosystem resilience against perturbations (e.g. those associated with climate change), requires unification of ecological theory from areas such as biodiversity‐ecosystem function, plant–animal interactions, resilience and functional traits of organisms. Synthesis. Plant ecology and nature‐based solutions (NbS) research are complementary. Plant ecology can inform the design and management of effective NbS, and provide insights for the creation of novel ecosystems that provide NbS; while learning from the implementation of NbS can progress theory. To deploy NbS at the speed and scale needed to mitigate and adapt to climate change, we must rapidly integrate ecological concepts into the design of NbS. At the same time, the design and deployment of NbS in different ecological contexts provides an unprecedented opportunity to learn how performances of individual NbS sites can be explained in an integrated way, leading to the development of general concepts. Ultimately, a mechanistic understanding of how plants and their functional traits contribute to ecosystem function and service provision is critical for the design, verification of benefits from and avoidance of adverse effects of NbS.

Mapping and Identification of Ecosystem Services Hotspots in the Brazilian Pampa Biome.

The intensification and expansion of changes in land use and land cover (LULC) can reduce the availability and quality of natural habitats and ecosystem services (ES). These changes have generated environmental damage in different parts of the world, especially in biomes more susceptible to modifications, such as the Pampa biome in the extreme south of Brazil. The Pampa biome has been neglected by environmental protection laws, despite its broad ecosystem and social importance. In this study, we used InVEST models to map and quantify five ES provided (i.e., water supply, carbon stock, groundwater stock, sediment retention and habitat quality) by 14 watersheds distributed in the Brazilian Pampa biome as well as determine ES hotspots by summing the areas with high provision of ES. We identified low availability of water supply and groundwater stock in practically the entire study area. High sediment retention and carbon stock were reported in areas with the presence of native vegetation. In addition, despite the large degraded areas, we observed high habitat quality associated with native vegetation in all studied watersheds. The hotspots varied spatially in the study area according to the proposed scenarios, the supply and the overlap of ES. Scenario 1 (>50% of ES) presented a larger area of high provision of ES. In contrast, scenario 2 (>75% of ES) presented smaller patches of areas with high provision of ES distributed across different watershed. We observed that large territorial extensions with high and medium provision of ES are vulnerable to the negative effects of LULC. Our study presented scenarios that indicate areas of high provision of ES, contributing to a more practical application, being a simplified and useful tool that can assist conservation and sustainable policies.

Organic Fertilization Improves Soil Multifunctionality in Sugarcane Agroecosystems

Soil multifunctionality is closely tied to soil health, yet a comprehensive understanding of this link in agricultural soils is lacking. The aim of this study was to understand how long-term fertilization practices affect the provision of multiple services by comparing the multifunctionality of soils. The three objectives were to (i) determine whether the effect of fertilization is consistent across soil types, (ii) describe the effect of the different fertilizers on soil multifunctionality, and (iii) identify soil chemical properties that can be easily used proxies of soil multifunctionality. The descriptors belong to three functioning indexes associated with nutrient availability, carbon transformation, and soil structure maintenance. This study is the first to investigate the effect of a variety of organic fertilizers on the health of three soil types by combining physical, chemical, and biological indicators in sugarcane agroecosystems. An increase in soil multifunctionality was obtained, with no effect on yield. The effect of fertilizers was consistent across soil types. Filter mud and green waste compost significantly increased the multifunctionality and functioning indexes compared to mineral fertilizer. Modifications in soil properties did not fully explain the observed variations. Our results confirm the high potential of organic fertilization to improve multifunctionality and provide ecosystem services.

Assessing Technical Inefficiency in Ecosystem Service Provision from an Input Perspective in the Cross Timbers region, United States.

We modeled the efficiency of ecosystem service provision-specifically timber production, carbon sequestration, and water yield-in the Cross Timbers region of the United States using stochastic frontier analysis from an input perspective. Inputs considered included natural capital and control variables such as temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, and natural disturbances, among others, that impact ecosystem service production. Inefficiency was modeled as a function of factors such as ownership, forest productivity, and natural disturbances. We utilized forest plot-level data obtained from the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program between 2008 and 2019. Our results indicated that ecosystem service production increased with higher levels of natural capital, higher temperatures, mesic soils, the presence of oaks, and damage caused by abiotic factors. We found evidence of technical inefficiency in the simultaneous provision of ecosystem services. From an input perspective, our findings revealed that, on average, 15.9% more input is used due to technical inefficiency in the Cross Timbers region. Specifically, private ownership and damage caused by abiotic factors resulted in excess input use of 16.4% and 14.3%, respectively, due to technical inefficiency. Managing the encroachment of invasive species like eastern redcedar can enhance ecosystem service production in the region, despite the high implementation costs. Collaboration among multidisciplinary extension professionals can help create comprehensive land management plans for the Cross Timbers, while landowners can also utilize cost-share programs to lower management expenses.

Assessment of Fuel Wood Consumption and Its Effect on Forest Depletion in Dry Deciduous Forest of Haliyal Taluk, Uttar Kannada District, India

Forest plays a significant role in extending wood and non-wood resources around the world, Forests provide ecosystem services, such as timber, food, fuel, fodder, non-wood products and shelter, which are essential for human well-being. However the increasing demand and pressure on forest resources majorly like fuel wood lead to degradation of forests. Hence it is important to assess the fuel wood consumption pattern and its impact on the forest for sustainable management of resources. In the present study, Haliyal taluk was selected, the area which is under rapid urbanization, surrounded by dry deciduous forest and the people living in that area depend on forest for fuel wood consumption. The study examined fuel wood collection among different farmer categories: large, medium, small, and landless. Results from the semi structured questioner survey revealed that medium farmers collected the most fuel wood. The total fuel wood consumption in Haliyal taluk was 5232.2 tonnes, with an average household consumption of 2.60 quintals of fuel wood per year. Major preferred tree species for fuel wood were Xylia xylocarpa, Terminalia tomentosa and Lagerstroemia lanceolata, which are valued for their high energy content, favourable burning characteristics and availability. For estimation of forest degradation Randomized Block Design was used and the study classified the forest vegetation into four crown density classes: Very Dense Forest (T1), Moderately Dense Forest (T2), Open Forest (T3), and Scrub (T4). Data was collected from 20 plots (20 x 20 m each) across these classes to measure forest depletion. The results showed that statistically significant differences in degradation levels, with the highest depletion (31.56 m³/ha) in very dense forests followed by moderate depletion (6.75 m³/ha) in moderately dense forests and the lowest (2.4 m³/ha) in scrub forests. This pattern reflects greater anthropogenic pressures and higher fuel wood availability in more dense forest types.

Optimization of a “Social‒Ecological” System Pattern from the Perspective of Ecosystem Service Supply and Demand: A Case Study of Jilin Province

This study establishes and refines a social-landscape ecological security pattern that integrates the demand and supply of ecosystem services, providing a substantial foundation for the ecological restoration of territorial spaces. This foundation is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of “social–ecological” systems in achieving sustainable development. Jilin Province, serving as a national ecological security buffer and experiencing rapid economic growth, exhibits a significant spatial imbalance between social and economic progress and ecological conservation. The balance of ecosystem service demand and supply is pivotal in this context, making Jilin Province an ideal study area. We employed a multifaceted approach, including MSPA, the InVEST model, landscape connectivity assessment, circuit theory, and ecological network integrity evaluation, to elucidate the spatial disparities between the demand and supply of ecosystem services. We then developed and optimized social and landscape ecological security patterns to meet human demands and safeguard ecological integrity, thereby promoting the sustainable development of “social–ecological” systems. The key findings are as follows: (1) The supply of ecosystem services shows a clear spatial gradient, with lower values in the west and higher in the east, while demand is concentrated in the central region with lower values in the east and west, indicating a pronounced spatial mismatch in Jilin Province. (2) The landscape ecological security pattern includes 18 barrier points, 33 pinch points, 166 ecological corridors, and 101 ecological sources. (3) The social–ecological security pattern comprises 119 demand sources and 150 supply–demand corridors. (4) The study introduces 14 supply–demand nodes and 47 optimization corridors, proposing zoning schemes for the eastern core protection area, the central ecological demand area, and the western core restoration area. Additionally, recommendations are concerning the optimization of the “social–ecological” system pattern. This research advances the theoretical understanding of “social–ecological” system development in Jilin Province and offers insights for more harmonized development strategies.

Social and Ecological Contributions of the Taungya Agroforestry System in the Restoration of Mount Elgon National Park, Uganda

Balancing conservation objectives with the livelihood needs of local communities remains a significant challenge in the management of protected areas. The Taungya agroforestry system, introduced in Mount Elgon National Park, Uganda, in 2009, aims to address this issue by integrating forest restoration with agricultural production for food security. This study assesses the social and ecological contributions of the Taungya system in Kapkwata sub-county, Kapchorwa district, focusing on its impact on forest cover restoration, food security, income generation, and the provision of ecosystem services. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 240 participants selected through random sampling, supplemented by key informant interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS, and qualitative insights were analyzed through thematic analysis. The results indicate that the Taungya system significantly improved vegetation cover, with the majority of participants reporting an increase in forest cover from 0-25% to 51-75%. The program also contributed to household food security and income generation, with participants cultivating crops like Irish potatoes, maize, and onions for both consumption and sale. Non-crop benefits, including access to firewood and clean water, further enhanced household resilience. However, challenges such as small land allocations, crop pests, and wildlife conflicts were identified as barriers to maximizing the program's impact. To optimize outcomes, the study recommends increased land allocations per household and the introduction of integrated pest management strategies. The findings underscore the potential of agroforestry systems like Taungya to achieve sustainable conservation and community development in protected areas

Assessing the ecological complexity and uncertainty of predicting forest ecosystem services under climate change

Climate change affects Central European forest ecosystems in different ways and, consequently, these changes result in different feedbacks on the provision of forest ecosystem services. Regarding the complexity and the variability in climate-forest interactions outcome, forest decision makers necessitate reliable information about changes in the forest ecosystem services for planning and adaptation purposes. However, forest productivity predictions incorporate multiple levels of uncertainty that have to be regarded to ensure building realistic expectations in forest decision-making. Besides the chosen forest simulation model, uncertainties come from the climate change data represented by a set of representative concentration pathways (RCP), within the underlying ensemble of global circulation and regional climate models (GCM-RCM), and further in the treatment of the CO2-fertilization effect. We considered the mentioned uncertainties in a framework on simulating forest growth and water services for two forest sites, a Sessile oak and a Scots pine stand in Rhineland-Palatine, Germany. The framework revealed a high variability in future forest ecosystem services. Particularly, the variability among the selected GCM-RCM models within the same Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) was higher than the variability among different RCPs (RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 representing the low and high CO2-emission scenarios, respectively). Sessile oak productivity increased under all scenarios, whereas Scots pine growth declined in the lower end of the RCP8.5 scenario. Water services remained mostly stable at both sites. Moreover, we applied a panel data model to estimate what climate indices caused changes in the forest ecosystem services. We found that Scots pine is more sensitive to a multitude of climate indices, such as temperature changes and Sessile oak showed strong response to the CO2-fertilization. We propose applying this framework to evaluate forest management options under climate change.