Value Of Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Identification of biodiversity priority conservation areas in China by integrating genetic, species and ecosystem diversity

Genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity are the three fundamental levels of biodiversity, each crucial for identifying priority conservation areas (PCAs). Globally or regionally, the areas with the highest genetic, species, and ecosystem diversity are not necessarily the same. To comprehensively represent biodiversity, this study fully considers these three fundamental levels from the foundational concept of biodiversity. We applied systematic conservation planning theory to develop an integrated framework for identifying PCAs for key protected species in China. We used species richness (SR), weighted endemism (WE), phylogenetic diversity (PD), evolutionary distinctiveness (ED), phylogenetic endemism (PE), and ecosystem service value (ESV) as conservation indicators and built different scenarios in Zonation. The results show that the total area of PCAs is approximately 3.29 million km2, accounting for about 34.29 % of China's total land area. More than half (approximately 52.21 %) of existing protected areas (PAs) overlap with the PCAs, indicating that current PAs are somewhat effective in biodiversity protection. However, there are still some PCAs that are not located within PAs, suggesting a significant potential for expanding the PAs network. Additionally, the distribution of newly established national park pilot areas aligns well with that of the PCAs, demonstrating the effectiveness of national park policies in protecting biodiversity. This study bridges traditional ecological theory with practical conservation planning, offering new insights into the theoretical methods and practical applications for identifying PCAs. It also provides valuable guidance for the selection and adjustment of PCAs in other regions globally.

Engaging citizens to monitor pollinators through a nationwide BioBlitz: Lessons learned and challenges remaining after four years

Pollination is a key mutualistic interaction between animals and flowering plants, generating biodiversity and providing valuable ecosystem services. However, a pollination crisis occurs because anthropogenic disturbance affects pollinators and their habitats, risking biodiversity and food security. Also, the lack of evidence-based knowledge may worsen disturbance effects by delaying decision-making and conservation actions. Citizen science plays an important role in data gathering by engaging volunteers in obtaining such information. Here, we present the results of four years of pollinator occurrence data from a series of targeted BioBlitz events conducted each November from 2020 to 2023 in Chile. We obtained a total of 6327 records (identified to the species or genus level), corresponding to 569 species from 44 families, collected along the Chilean territory, a 10-fold increase compared to the pre-BioBlitz period (2016–2019). The most frequent species were the butterfly Vanessa carye, the invasive bees Bombus terrestris and Apis mellifera, and the native bumblebee Bombus dahlbomii. Despite inter-annual abundance fluctuations, species composition was similar over time. The most recorded families were Apidae, Syrphidade, Nymphalidae, and Buprestidae. This nationwide multi-year citizen science survey allowed us to collect an impressive dataset that would have been unattainable by scientists alone. Furthermore, we obtained valuable information for monitoring threatened (e.g., B. dahlbomii) or invasive species (e.g., B. terrestris) over space and time, aiding decision-making and conservation efforts. Engaging people in pollinator monitoring strengthens human-nature connections and fosters conservation attitudes.

Ecosystem carbon accumulation of Sonneratia apetala mangroves along an afforestation chronology in Bangladesh

Coastal plantation ecosystems play a vital role in the protection of coastal regions, biodiversity conservation, and the provision of valuable ecosystem services. These ecosystems have been recognized for their capacity to sequester carbon, making them instrumental in mitigating global warming. In this study, we assessed ecosystem carbon (EC) density levels in Sonneratia apetala planted coastal ecosystems in the Char Kukri-Mukri and Montaz mangrove reserves in the south-central Bangladesh. Using 48 representative plots from four stand ages (8-32 years), carbon density changes in trees and soil (0–15 and 15–30 cm) were evaluated. Results showed significant differences in vegetation carbon (VC) density, soil organic carbon (SOC) concentration, SOC density, and EC density among different stand ages, soil depths and mangroves. The increased EC density in Char Kukri Mukri (12.21 t ha-1 yr-1) and in Char Montaj (12.62 t ha-1 yr-1) with advancing stand ages (year-8 to year-32) provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of afforestation in enhancing EC density in S. apetala planted mangroves. Regardless of stand age, the higher SOC density found in the upper soil layer (51 t ha-1 in year-32 stand) compared to the lower layer (38 t ha-1 in year-32 stand) in both mangroves highlights that the majority of soil carbon is concentrated in the top 15 cm of the forest floor. Within the 0–30 cm soil layer, SOC density demonstrated an increasing trend, with rates of 1.30 t ha-1 yr-1 in Char Montaj, and 1.33 t ha-1 yr-1 in Char Kukri Mukri mangroves between year-8 and year-32 stands. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers, land managers, and conservation practitioners, emphasizing the significance of coastal plantation ecosystems in carbon sequestration and the need for informed management strategies to optimize their climate mitigation potential.

Evaluation of Effectiveness and Multi-Scenario Analysis of Land Use Development Strategies and Ecological Protection Redlines on Carbon Storage in the Great Bay Area of China Using the PLUS-InVEST-PSM Model

Land use change is a key factor affecting the carbon storage of terrestrial ecosystems. Most studies focus on formulating different land development strategies to mitigate the adverse impacts of land development, while fewer discuss the effectiveness of these strategies. In the context of varying socio-economic development and limited budgets for ecological conservation, evaluating effectiveness is essential for selecting the most suitable land development strategy. This research proposed a Patch-Generating Land Use Simulation-Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs–Propensity Score Matching (PLUS-InVEST-PSM) model to evaluate the effectiveness of different land use development strategies in the Greater Bay Area of China as a case study. Specifically, this study analyzed the historical land use changes from 2000 to 2020 and mapped the multi-scenario patterns of land use and carbon storage with the PLUS and the InVEST models from 2030 to 2050. Then, this study employed the PSM model, along with a series of criteria (i.e., similar ecological backgrounds and parallel historical trends), to evaluate the effectiveness of the ecological development strategy and ecological protection redlines on carbon storage compared with the natural development strategy. The results indicate that the ecological development strategy and the ecological protection redline can prevent the decline in carbon storage. However, in the ecological development strategy, implementing the ecological redline policy may hinder the growth of carbon storage within the ecological redline area. Compared with the PLUS-InVEST-PSM model, the comparison between the subregions could underestimate the efficiencies of evaluation, partly due to underestimating the negative impact of urban development on carbon storage. These findings will help governments develop comprehensive and systematic land use policies to achieve carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals. Also, the approach would help to further explore the broader impacts of land use development strategies on the overall regional ecological environment, such as biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Cost–benefit analysis as a decision tool for effective conservation planning—The case of the Nyerere Selous‐Udzungwa wildlife corridor in Tanzania

AbstractCost benefit analysis (CBA) is used in many fields to ensure efficient allocation of scarce resources but is rarely applied in conservation. By using a common metric to evaluate projects in complex social‐ecological systems, CBA can help to maximize the impact of conservation funding. It can also help to interrogate issues of distributional equity, plan for effective community‐based conservation, and inform future research and strategic priorities. We demonstrate this using the example of the Nyerere Selous‐Udzungwa Wildlife Corridor in Tanzania, a wildlife corridor aiming to restore connectivity between two protected areas to enhance African elephant (Loxodonta africana) conservation outcomes and mitigate human–elephant conflict. We combine novel data on elephant crop depredation with crop price and productivity data, elephant valuation methods, and ecosystem service values to analyze corridor costs and benefits from contrasting global and local community perspectives. From the global perspective, we find benefits to outweigh costs by at least 4.6:1. From the communities' perspective, we find that while substantial benefits should secure buy‐in to the project, continued subsidy will be required to cover the costs. Our findings support generalized recommendations for application of CBA across diverse systems and conservation priorities.

Spatial-Temporal Changes in Ecosystem Service Value and Its Overlap with Coal Mining Intensity in the Yellow River Basin, China, During 2000–2030

Understanding the ecosystem services and their interaction with coal resource development is crucial for formulating sustainable development policies. In this study, we focused on the Yellow River Basin, characterized by both rich coal resources and ecological fragility. The key findings are that (1) the ecosystem service value (ESV) in the Yellow River Basin exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity during 2000–2030, decreasing from the southeast to northwest, and decreasing the most notably in the southern part of the upper reaches of the river basin; (2) the high-high clustering area of the ESV shifted from the upper-middle reaches in 2000 to the middle-lower reaches in 2020, while the low-low clustering area remained within Inner Mongolia. By 2030, the high-high clustering area is expected to stabilize in southern Shaanxi Province, and the low-low area will potentially spread eastward; (3) the overall ESV is low, and it experienced a significant decline from 2000 to 2020, with water supply emerging as a major limiting factor, although some policy-supported counties had better ecological service values and trends. (4) From 2000 to 2020, the coal mining intensity (CMI) was concentrated in the upper and middle reaches, particularly at the junctions of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Inner Mongolia, and the pattern remained stable, but local areas experienced increased mining intensity; (5) the overlap of the CMI and ESV primarily exhibited a low-high clustering pattern in the middle and upper reaches of the Yellow River Basin and eastern Ordos City, and a high-high clustering pattern in the middle reaches of the basin in Shanxi Province, which remained stable and slightly expanded from 2000 to 2030; (6) the trade-off between the ecosystem services in the overlap area intensified, especially between the provisioning and support services, and was significantly impacted by the coal mining activities. The findings indicate that the area that overlaps with the coal mining area in the Yellow River Basin has expanded and has had an increasing negative impact on the ESV. It is also essential to address the trade-offs between the provisioning and support services and to implement ecological restoration measures to mitigate the risk of ESV loss. Future efforts should focus on the regions where the CMI and ESV overlap and have poor coordination and the adverse effects of resource extraction on ecosystem services are becoming more pronounced. The results of this study demonstrate that spatial overlap analysis is effective in identifying the hotspots and provides a foundation for developing sustainable and high-quality policies for ecologically fragile basins.

Investigating Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs and Synergies: The Need for Correlations and Driving Factors in the Upper Fen River Basin of Shanxi Province, China

This research provides an overview of the trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services (ESs) within the upper Fen River Basin (uFRB) that are crucial for informed land management and regional ecological protection. We utilized methodologies, including the dynamic equivalent factor method and spatial autocorrelation analysis, to track ES and driving factors from 1990 to 2020. This study revealed a 13.27% increase in overall ES value, with notable growth in forest land and water areas. Initially, synergies were dominant, but trade-offs became evident over time, particularly with food production. This study identified road proximity and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as primary drivers of ES values, with their impact evolving annually. The analysis also highlighted the importance of considering the temporal dynamics in ES relationships and the influence of driving factors on these services. We propose incorporating socio-ecological factors and ES bundles into spatial planning. This is crucial as it will allow us to optimize multi-ES objectives, thus balancing trade-offs and enhancing synergies for sustainable land use.

Spatiotemporal changes and influencing factors of ecosystem services in the Nanchang metropolitan area, China

Ecosystem services (ES) such as carbon storage (CS), soil conservation (SC), habitat quality (HQ), and water yield (WY) play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting sustainable regional development. With increasing environmental changes, understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of these services and their driving factors has become essential in environmental science. This study focuses on the Nanchang metropolitan area, quantifying CS, SC, HQ, and WY from 2000 to 2020. It explores the impacts of major factors, including climate, topography, and social aspects, on the spatial heterogeneity of ES. The results reveal that between 2000 and 2020, CS and HQ decreased by 0.1385×108 tons/ha and 0.0507, respectively, while SC and WY increased by 2.4754×109 tons/ha and 1.6668×1010 m3, respectively. Notable spatial heterogeneity exists in the correlation between driving factors and changes in ES. The spatial distribution of ESs is higher in mountainous regions compared to central plains. Among human factors, population (POP) and gross domestic product (GDP) predominantly influenced changes in CS and HQ, whereas climate and POP drove changes in SC. Changes in WY were primarily affected by climate and topography. These findings suggest a need to focus on key driving factors to formulate targeted land policies aimed at enhancing the ES value in the Nanchang metropolitan area.

Land use change and its impact on ecosystem service value in Xinjiang

Abstract Xinjiang is an important hub connecting China and Eurasia and has an important strategic position in economy, energy, and ecological security. However, due to the fragile ecological environment in Xinjiang, there are substantial challenges in coordinating the relationship between social and economic development and ecological environment construction. To elucidate the relationship between land use changes induced by human activities and the valuation of ecosystem services, this study utilized the value equivalent method to evaluate the ecosystem service value in Xinjiang from 2000 to 2020 while analyzing its spatiotemporal response characteristics related to land use. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, the value of ecosystem services in Xinjiang showed an upward trend, reaching 182.24 yuan/hm2 in 2020, and the total value of the whole region was 302.584 billion yuan. The value of ecological services in Xinjiang is mainly low-grade (about 50%), and high-grade only accounts for 1.03%~2.19%. There was a significant increase in land use in forested areas and water bodies, while the conversion trend from effective grassland to other land types was relatively limited. Specifically, 4.47% of bare ground and 3.76% of meadows transformed water bodies. Additionally, 2.69% of grassland experienced conversion into woodland. The land use intensity was generally low (more than 85% of the low-grade grades), and 83.71% of the land use intensity increased during the study period. The water area was the main controlling factor of the service value of the state system, with a contribution rate of 78.83%, followed by grassland (11.29%) and woodlands (9.30%), and 54.39% of the land use changes increased the value of ecosystem services.

The Implications of Plantation Forest-Driven Land Use/Land Cover Changes for Ecosystem Service Values in the Northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia

In the northwestern Highlands of Ethiopia, a region characterized by diverse ecosystems, significant land use and land cover (LULC) changes have occurred due to a combination of environmental fragility and human pressures. The implications of these changes for ecosystem service values remain underexplored. This study quantifies the impact of LULC changes, with an emphasis on the expansion of plantation forests, on ecosystem service values in monetary terms to promote sustainable land management practices. Using Landsat images and the Random Forest algorithm in R, LULC patterns from 1985 to 2020 were analyzed, with the ecosystem service values estimated using locally adapted coefficients. The Random Forest classification demonstrated a high accuracy, with values of 0.97, 0.98, 0.96, and 0.97 for the LULC maps of 1985, 2000, 2015, and 2020, respectively. Croplands consistently dominated the landscape, accounting for 53.66% of the area in 1985, peaking at 67.35% in 2000, and then declining to 52.86% by 2020. Grasslands, initially the second-largest category, significantly decreased, while wetlands diminished from 14.38% in 1985 to 1.87% by 2020. Conversely, plantation forests, particularly Acacia decurrens, expanded from 0.4% of the area in 2000 to 28.13% by 2020, becoming the second-largest land cover type. The total ecosystem service value in the district declined from USD 219.52 million in 1985 to USD 39.23 million in 2020, primarily due to wetland degradation. However, plantation forests contributed USD 17.37 million in 2020, highlighting their significant role in restoring ecosystem services, particularly in erosion control, soil formation, nutrient recycling, climate regulation, and habitat provision. This study underscores the need for sustainable land management practices, including wetland restoration and sustainable plantation forestry, to enhance ecosystem services and ensure long-term ecological and economic sustainability.

Assessing the Impact of Anthropogenic CO2 on Marine Carbonate Chemistry: Trends, Implications, and Future Implications of Ocean Acidification

Abstract. This paper investigates the impact of human-caused CO2 emissions on marine carbonate chemistry, with particular attention being given to current trends and implications of ocean acidification as well as projected future projections for its effects. The study provides insight into the chemical processes underlying ocean acidification, its historical and modern progressions, as well as its biological impacts on organisms such as corals, mollusks and plankton. Furthermore, this report assesses the larger implications for marine ecosystems and fisheries as well as valuing ecosystem services that have been negatively impacted by acidification. Methodical approaches, including in situ observations, laboratory experiments and predictive modeling are discussed here to illustrate the current status of research. This paper also considers mitigation and adaptation strategies such as carbon capture and storage, enhancing ecosystem resilience enhancement measures and international policy measures as mitigation and adaptation strategies. By drawing together findings from diverse disciplines, this study seeks to identify research gaps as well as prioritize areas for further investigation, stressing the importance of joint efforts against ocean acidification.

Understanding Ecosystem Services through Managers' Perspectives: Insights from the Portuguese Biosphere Reserves

Defined as the benefits derived from nature to humans, the Ecosystem Services (ES) concept clarifies how ecosystems contribute to human well-being. Despite its relevance, integrating this concept into decision-making processes remains a challenge. Participatory approaches have proven crucial in developing mechanisms for managing, conserving, sustainably using and valuing ES. This work aimed to analyse the perceptions of Portuguese Biosphere Reserves’ (BR) managers regarding the ES provided by these territories through a participatory workshop. During the workshop, each participant specified the most relevant ES provided by the BR. The study identified three key ES: "Cultivated terrestrial plants (including fungi, algae) grown for nutritional purposes", "Characteristics of living systems that enable scientific investigation or the creation of traditional ecological knowledge" and "Characteristics of living systems that enable education and training". Additionally, participants discussed perceived threats, opportunities and potential solutions to enhance the value of these key ES in these areas. "Climate change" and "Pollution" were identified as the most significant threats, while "Climate adaptation", "Quality of life" and "Sustainable agriculture" emerged as the main opportunities. Solutions to address threats and maximise opportunities include the establishment of a closer, systematic and articulated relationship within BR to promote sustainability and resilience. Overall, the workshop was positively evaluated and deemed productive. It was also considered a powerful tool to foster collaboration towards a more holistic promotion of BR' sustainable governance, benefitting the environment, communities and the economy.

Integrated spatial prioritization of urban nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, mitigation, and justice

ABSTRACT In densely populated cities, people confront multiple impacts of climate change, including stormwater runoff, flooding, heat waves, and health issues. To address these impacts, nature-based solutions (NbS) have gained significant attention in recent years due to their potential to contribute to sustainability, resilience, and ecosystem services. Nevertheless, more research is required to understand the wider potential of NbS and to identify priority areas for their deployment. This study developed an analytical approach and implemented it in the Tehran Metropolitan Area (TMA) by considering factors related to NbS co-benefits. The approach included spatial prioritization, spatial correlation analysis, and suitability analysis. It combines a Geographic Information System, Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs (InVEST) model, Zonation, Best-Worst Method, Bivariate Local Indicator of Spatial Autocorrelation analysis (BiLISA), a Fuzzy Inference System, and Boolean overlay analysis. The results include maps showing priority areas for different types of NbS and spatial co-benefits and mismatches. High-priority areas are located in disadvantaged areas. In total, 105.73 km2 (17% of the TMA) was designated as highly prioritized. We show that various NbS interventions are applicable, with green roofs and rainwater harvesting being the most feasible. This study can assist decision-makers in optimizing NbS to deliver maximum co-benefits.

Assessment and Dynamic Prediction of Green Space Ecological Service Value in Guangzhou City, China

As an important part of the urban ecosystem, urban green space provides a variety of ecosystem services, including climate regulation, soil conservation, carbon sink and oxygen release, and biodiversity protection. However, existing remote sensing evaluation methods for ecological service value lack the evaluation indicators of ecosystem service value for Guangzhou, China, and the evaluation method depends on the land cover type. Based on remote sensing technology and random forest algorithm, this study addresses these gaps by integrating remote sensing technology with a random forest algorithm to enhance the accuracy and rationality of ESV assessments. Focusing on Guangzhou, China, we improved the ecological service value evaluation system and conducted dynamic predictions based on land-use change scenarios. Our results indicate that the total ESV of Guangzhou’s green space was USD 7.323 billion in 2020, with a projected decline to USD 6.496 billion by 2030, representing a 12.37% reduction due to urbanization-driven land-use changes. This research highlights the noticeable role of green spaces in urban sustainability and provides robust, data-driven insights for policymakers to design more effective green space protection and management strategies. The improved assessment framework offers a novel approach for accurately quantifying urban ecosystem services and predicting future trends.

Evaluation and Optimization Model of Green Space Ecosystem Services in Urbanization Process

Evaluation and Optimization Model of Green Space Ecosystem Services in Urbanization Process

Land use modeling and carbon storage projections of the Bosten Lake Basin in China from 1990 to 2050 across multiple scenarios

Given the escalating issue of global climate change, it is imperative to comprehend and quantify the effects of land use change on carbon storage (CS), which pertains not only to the preservation of ecosystem functions but also directly influences the equilibrium and stability of the global carbon cycle. This study examines the correlation between CS and land use change, forecasts the future spatial distribution of CS, and offers a reference for the rational planning of watershed space. Focusing on the Bosten Lake Basin of Xinjiang in China, employing the land use simulation (PLUS) model and the integrated valuation of ecosystem services and trade-offs (InVEST) model to forecast the spatial distribution of carbon stocks across three developmental scenarios, while also examining the shift in the center of gravity of CS and the autocorrelation of their spatial distribution. The findings derived from the study are as follows: (1) From 1990 to 2020, the predominant land use type in the Bosten Lake Basin was grassland, while there was an upward trend in the areas of cropland, forest land, built-up land, and wetland, alongside a downward trend in the areas of grassland, water, and unused land. (2) In the long term, the regional CS exhibits an upward trend, with the most significant increase anticipated in the EPS scenario. Grassland constitutes the most extensive carbon reservoir in the Bosten Lake Basin, while wetlands exhibit the highest carbon sequestration potential. (3) The alteration in the center of gravity of CS is associated with the expansion or reduction of the major regional carbon reservoirs and types characterized by significant carbon sequestration potential. (4) In the long term, the spatial correlation of CS in the Bosten Lake Basin exhibits a consistent upward trend, with the most pronounced spatial correlation observed under EPS.

Value of Ecosystem Services to Cultural Practices in Festival Celebration in Rural Communities of Northern Ghana

Value of Ecosystem Services to Cultural Practices in Festival Celebration in Rural Communities of Northern Ghana

Quantifying the Effect of Land Use and Land Cover Changes on Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of Water in Hanjiang River Basin

As a vital part of the geo-environment and water cycle, ecosystem health and human development are dependent on water resources. Water supply and demand are influenced significantly by land use and cover change (LUCC) which shapes the surface ecosystems by altering their structure and function. Under future climate change scenarios, LUCC may greatly impact regional water balance, yet the impact is still not well understood. Therefore, examining the spatial relationship between LUCC and water yield services is crucial for optimizing land resources and informing sustainable development policies. In this study, we focused on the Hanjiang River Basin and used the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model, coupled with the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model, to assess water yield services under three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway and Representative Concentration Pathway (SSP-RCP) scenarios. For the first time, we considered the impact of future changes in socio-economic and water use indicators on water demand using correction factors and ARIMA projections. The relationship between water supply and demand was explored using this approach, and LUCC’s effects on this balance are also discussed. Results indicate that: (1) The patterns of LUCC are similar for the three scenarios from 2030 to 2050, with varying levels of decrease for cropland and significant growth of built-up areas, with increases of 6.77% to 19.65% (SSP119), 7.66% to 22.65% (SSP245), and 15.88% to 46.69% (SSP585), respectively, in the three scenarios relative to 2020; (2) The future supply and demand trends for the three scenarios of produced water services are similar, and the overall supply and demand risks are all on a downward trend. Water demand continues to decline, and by 2050, the water demand of the 3 scenarios will decrease by 96.275×108t, 81.210×108t, and 84.13×108t relative to 2020, respectively; while supply decreases from 2030 to 2040 and rises from 2040 to 2050; (3) Both water supply and demand distributions exhibit spatial correlation, and the distribution of hotspots is similar. The water supply and demand are well-matched, with an overall supply-demand ratio greater than 1.5; (4) LUCC can either increase or decrease water yield. Built-up land provides more water supply compared to other land types, while forest land has the lowest average water supply. Limiting land use type conversions can enhance the water supply.

Spatiotemporal dynamics and driving factors of ecosystem services value in Lanzhou City, China

Aligned with the imperatives of national ecological civilization construction, the systematic investigation into the intricate interplay between shifts in land utilization and the assessment of ecosystem services plays a pivotal and indispensable role in advancing ecological civilization. This endeavor holds significant implications. It aids in optimizing the ecological landscape at the regional level and fosters harmonious coexistence between humanity and the natural world. The study utilizes land-use remote sensing interpretation data from three time periods (2000, 2010, and 2020) and employs various methodologies, including equivalent factor coefficient correction, sensitivity analysis, and spatial autocorrelation. The objective is to uncover the spatiotemporal dynamics of land-use changes and Ecosystem Service Value (ESV) in Lanzhou City. Furthermore, geographic detectors are applied to explore the driving factors influencing ESV spatial heterogeneity and their interactions. The research findings indicate the following: (1) From 2000 to 2020, grassland and cropland were the predominant land-use types in Lanzhou City, with cropland and urban land experiencing the most active changes. (2) ESV in Lanzhou City increased from 179.37 billion RMB in 2000 to 193.86 billion RMB in 2020, reflecting an ESV total growth rate of 8.07% and a gradual improvement in the ecological environment. Spatially, ESV exhibits a “west high, east low” distribution pattern, with the center shifting towards the northwest and southeast, gradually reducing spatial imbalance. (3) Analysis of ESV spatial autocorrelation reveals that high-high clusters are predominantly found within the Tulu Gou National Forest Park and the Xinglong Mountain National Natural Reserve, while low-low clusters are primarily concentrated in the central urban area of Lanzhou City. Over the period from 2000 to 2020, the spatial clustering effect of ESV within the study area has progressively intensified. 4)NDVI, precipitation, and GDP emerge as pivotal factors influencing spatial differentiation within Lanzhou City, with natural and societal elements exerting interactive effects on ESV spatial disparities. The research results integrate environmental considerations into the decision-making process, offering valuable insights for formulating targeted ecological protection policies in Lanzhou City. This study embodies concrete measures taken by Lanzhou City in practicing China’s concept of “green water and green mountains are golden silver mountains,” providing a theoretical basis for the harmonious and sustainable development of the ecological economy.

Significant negative impact of human activities on carbon storage in the Yellow River Delta over the past three decades

With the increasing intensification of human activities, significant changes in land use and land cover (LULC) have posed a severe threat to the carbon storage capacity of wetland ecosystems. A deep understanding of this impact is crucial for protecting regional ecosystems and promoting sustainable development. This study utilized the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model and the human activity intensity (HAI) index to conduct detailed grid analysis and global analysis of carbon storage through creating fishnet system and explored the complex relationship between carbon storage and HAI in the Yellow River Delta (YRD), China. The results indicated that over the past 30 years, natural wetlands such as meadow wetlands and salt marshes in the study area had undergone significant degradation due to escalating human activities, while artificial wetlands and non-wetland areas expanded. Concurrently, the total regional carbon storage had declined by 2.08 Tg, representing a significant drop of 8.22 % in the YRD from 1990 to 2020. Among them, dry land, as the primary land type, served as the most crucial carbon pool. Additionally, the human activity intensity of land surface (HAILS) increased significantly, with a growth rate of 37.27 %. HAI mapping revealed a continuous expansion of areas with high HAI. In contrast, the Yellow River Delta National Nature Reserve (YRDNNR) maintained relatively low HAI. Correlation analysis further showed the significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) between carbon storage and HAI, with r values of grid analysis ranging from −0.1395 to −0.0344, while that for global analysis was −0.9643, respectively. This reflected the spatial heterogeneity and agglomeration effects of data analysis across different scales. This study provides valuable insights for achieving the “dual carbon” goals and supporting the conservation and management of wetland ecosystems.