Ecological Management Zoning Through Integration of Ecosystem Service and Landscape Ecological Risk: A Case Study in Chongli, China

Balancing ecological conservation with development pressures remains a critical challenge in regions hosting mega-events like the Winter Olympics. This study evaluates the ecological impacts of pre-Olympic construction in Chongli, China (2016–2021), through the integrated analysis of ecosystem service value (ESV) and landscape ecological risk (LERI). Using Sentinel-2 imagery and spatial statistics, we quantified land-use changes, applied benefit transfer methods for ESV assessment, and calculated the LERI using landscape pattern indices. The results revealed a 4.6% increase in the total ESV (266.4 to 278.7 million CNY), which was driven by afforestation initiatives that expanded the area of shrub-grassland and forests. Concurrently, the proportion of high/moderate LERI areas decreased by 12.3%, indicating reduced ecological vulnerability. Spatial correlation analysis demonstrated significant negative relationships between the ESV and LERI, particularly in zones that were undergoing ecological restoration. However, urban expansion weakened these synergies locally. The findings of this study highlight that strategic greening effectively enhanced ecosystem services while mitigating landscape risks during preparations for the Olympics. We propose an adaptive zoning framework that emphasizes dynamic ESV-LERI monitoring, tourism carrying capacity regulation, and payment for ecosystem service mechanisms to optimize post-event management. This integrated approach provides a transferable model for ecological governance in ecologically sensitive areas facing rapid development pressures, demonstrating the value of dual assessment methodologies in sustainable spatial planning.