Search Results (484)

Forest soil conservation is pivotal for controlling soil erosion and ensuring ecological security. Taking the Qilian Mountains Area in China as the research region, this study used ArcMap 10.8 software to process data for six prefecture-level cities in the area from 2008 to 2023. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model was applied to quantify the forest soil conservation amount and evaluate its ecosystem service value (ESV). Their spatiotemporal variations and dynamic evolution patterns were analyzed, alongside the influence of soil organic matter (OM) and nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents. The results showed that the average contents of OM, N, P and K in the forest soils of the Qilian Mountains Area were 24.22 g·kg⁻¹, 1.54 g·kg⁻¹, 0.70 g·kg⁻¹, and 19.96 g·kg⁻¹, respectively, with significant regional heterogeneity. Haibei Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (HBTAP) had the highest while Jinchang City (JC) had the lowest. From 2008 to 2023, the average annual forest soil conservation amount and its ESV of the region were 1.749 × 10⁹ tons and 2.0444 × 10¹⁰ yuan, respectively, both showing a fluctuating trend of initial increase followed by a decrease. Spatially, HBTAP ranked first in average annual forest soil conservation amount per unit area and ESV. Jiuquan City (JQ) had the lowest forest soil conservation amount per unit area, and JC the lowest ESV. Forest soil conservation and its ESV in the region were affected by the contents of soil nutrients (OM and N, P, K elements), vegetation types and quality, topography, climate, and human activities (including ecological governance), which collectively intensified the spatiotemporal heterogeneity. These findings provide a theoretical basis for precise regional ecological protection and differentiated restoration strategies in arid regions. Full article

Land use change is the most direct factor driving the supply and alteration of ecosystem services. This study employed the Dyna-CLUE tool to simulate future land use distributions under two scenarios—the Constrained Trend (CT) and Optimized Target-driven (OT) scenarios—based on land use data from 2010. Subsequently, their corresponding ecosystem service values (ESVs) were calculated, with the simulation outcomes revealing distinct land use layouts under each scenario. Under the CT scenario, grassland and urban areas expanded, whereas farmland and water bodies declined, reflecting a trend of urbanization at the expense of rural landscapes. In contrast, the OT scenario demonstrated a cessation of built-up land expansion, accompanied by marked increases in forest and water coverage, changes that facilitated the restoration of coastal watersheds, enhancing wetland provision and improving overall ESV. Consequently, per capita ESV increased substantially—from 1751 CNY in 2018 to 2356 CNY, matching the 2010 level—primarily due to the conversion of grasslands and farmlands into forests and wetlands. The OT scenario also improved the spatial distribution of ESVs, forming interconnected ecological zones around urban areas. The results underscore that policies restraining built-up expansion, promoting afforestation, and restoring wetlands can significantly improve ecosystem services and contribute to sustainability. Full article

This study is based on time-series land use data of Xinjiang from 2000 to 2022. Using grid tools, bivariate autocorrelation models and other methods, we systematically analyzed the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of land use and ecosystem service value. The results show the following: Firstly, from 2000 to 2022, Xinjiang’s LUCC exhibits differentiated evolution characteristics: cropland, forestland, and built-up land expanded continuously, while the areas of grassland and unused land showed a steady reduction trend, and the area of water bodies showed a fluctuating growth pattern. Secondly, according to the calculation of carbon emissions from LUCC in Xinjiang from 2000 to 2022, the carbon emissions from LUCC have increased significantly, from 27.79 million tons in 2000 to 226.43 million tons in 2022, with built-up land being the main source of carbon emissions, but the continuous reduction in grassland area has led to the weakening of carbon sequestration capacity. Thirdly, from 2000 to 2022, Xinjiang’s ESV shows a fluctuating upward trend, increasing from 1880.528 billion yuan in 2000 to 1894.198 billion yuan in 2022, with grassland and water area being the core contributors to ESV, accounting for over 80% of the total contribution. Fourthly, in terms of spatial distribution, there is an overall negative correlation between the intensity of carbon emissions from LUCC and the intensity of ESV, mainly aggregated as “low–low” and “low–high”, with “high–low” aggregation primarily distributed in the desert areas of the Tarim Basin and Junggar Basin and “low–high” aggregation concentrated in the marginal mountainous areas and oasis regions of Xinjiang. The findings provide a solid scientific basis for the optimization of land use structure, the achievement of carbon emission reduction targets, and the protection of ecosystems in Xinjiang and similar arid regions worldwide. Full article

By integrating multi-source data, this study systematically analyzes the evolution of land use structure, spatiotemporal differentiation characteristics of Ecosystem Service Value (ESV), and core driving mechanisms in the Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt (HREEB) in eastern China from 2000 to 2020, based on the ESV equivalent accounting model and XGBoost-SHAP coupled framework. The main results are as follows: (1) The land use structure is dominated by cropland, construction land, and forest land. Over the 20-year period, cropland was continuously converted out, primarily transforming into construction land and forest land, while other land types remained relatively stable. (2) Temporally, the total ESV showed a fluctuating downward trend, first increasing and then decreasing from 2000 to 2020. Spatially, the ESV exhibited a corridor effect of “decreasing from the river channel center to both banks”. High-value areas were concentrated in the eastern river–sea linkage zone and the central-western inland rising zone, while extremely low-value areas in 2020 were located in the northern Huaihai Economic Zone (with dense construction land), indicating an overall medium service level. (3) The evolution of ESV was driven by both natural and human factors: among natural factors, water coverage, elevation, and slope had positive effects, while high temperature had an inhibitory effect; among human–economic factors, population density showed an “increase first and then decrease” effect, and urban expansion significantly weakened ESV in the later period. The spatial differentiation presented a pattern of “natural background support in the upper reaches and socioeconomic intervention in the lower reaches”. This study provides a scientific basis for the optimization of territorial space and ecological protection and restoration in the Huaihe River Ecological Economic Belt, and also offers a replicable research paradigm for ecosystem service management in similar river basin-type regions. Full article

Highway construction is a major driver of landscape transformation, yet its integrated effects on ecological functions in forested regions under strong ecological governance remain poorly quantified. This study examines spatiotemporal changes in land use, landscape patterns, ecosystem service value (ESV), and habitat connectivity within 1–5 km buffer zones along three highways in Zhejiang, China, from 2000 to 2023. Results indicate that highway-induced fragmentation was land-use-specific: cropland and construction land became more fragmented, while forests maintained high spatial cohesion due to protective policies. ESV per hectare increased over time and with distance from highways, driven by forest expansion and economic revaluation. In contrast, habitat connectivity for reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds declined, revealing a decoupling between ESV enhancement and connectivity conservation. These findings underscore the context-dependent impacts of highways and highlight the need for integrated management strategies that preserve forest integrity to balance ecological functions in rapidly developing regions. Full article

Rapid urban expansion poses growing challenges for balancing carbon emissions (CE), economic development, and ecological protection, particularly in coastal urban agglomerations. Although optimization–simulation approaches have been widely applied, explicit consideration of low-carbon objectives remains limited. To address this gap, this study proposes an integrated non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm III (NSGA-III)–patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) framework that combines multi-objective optimization with spatially explicit land-use simulation. Using multi-temporal land-use datasets (2000–2020) from the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), this research examined spatiotemporal land-use transitions and their co-evolution with CE, ecosystem services value (ESV), and GDP under five development scenarios. The results show that construction land expanded by 78% from 2000 to 2020, largely through cropland conversion, which pushed CE upward to 335.4 Mt. For 2030, the Low Carbon Emission scenario reduces CE by 11.8 Mt compared with the natural development scenario. The Balanced Development scenario maintains economic growth while limiting CE increases and stabilizing ESV. Spatially, scenario differences are limited in extent. Over 93% of areas remain unchanged, and variations are mainly concentrated in peri-urban corridors around the Guangzhou–Foshan core. Overall, the NSGA-III–PLUS framework provides a structured approach for coordinating carbon mitigation and land-use planning in rapidly urbanizing coastal areas. Full article

Arid ecological transition zones are highly sensitive to climate change and human activities, but land use optimization strategies for them often lack policy-oriented quantitative analysis. This study uses the Hexi Corridor in China as a case study, integrating multi-level policy planning indicators with the PLUS model to construct four scenarios: natural changes, economic growth, ecological protection, and planning-constrained development. This approach enhances policy compatibility (Kappa = 0.86). The study analyzes land use changes from 2000 to 2020 and simulates changes for 2030, with a focus on their impact on ecosystem service value (ESV). Key findings include the following: (1) Between 2000 and 2020, unused land and grassland dominated the area, with construction land expanding by 164.73%. (2) The planning-constrained development scenario maximized ESV (CNY 220.46 billion, up 7.7% from 2020), while controlling construction land growth (+30.11%). (3) Hydrological and climate regulation are the primary contributors to ESV, with the expansion of water areas by 113,032.60 hectares under ecological protection showing the effectiveness of policy intervention. Innovations in this study include the proposal of a “policy–model” coupling framework, offering actionable guidance for ecological protection and economic development in arid regions. Full article

Integrating ecosystem service value (ESV) into land use optimization is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals. Unlike traditional “post-evaluation” approaches that assess ESV after generating land use plans, this study pioneers a “goal-oriented” method by embedding ESV as an objective to guide land use optimization. A multi-objective particle swarm optimization (PSO) framework, which incorporates ESV with land quantity error, spatial aggregation of farmland and construction land, and economic benefits, was constructed for the research study. Applied to Wuhan, China, for the periods of 2005–2015 and 2010–2020, the results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed framework in: (1) reducing construction land area while increasing farmland and ecological land; (2) spatially aggregating construction land towards urban functional areas while protecting farmland and ecological land in peri-urban and outer suburban areas; (3) improving spatial aggregation of farmland, construction land, and ecological land; and (4) slightly increasing ESV, particularly in peri-urban and outer suburban areas. The proposed PSO framework provides a valuable tool for optimizing land use layout, enhancing ecosystem service provision, and promoting balanced socio-ecological development. Full article

Land conversion due to deforestation and urbanization tends to change oasis ecosystem service in arid and semiarid regions. In this context, this paper examines the impacts of land use/land cover change (LULC) on the degradation of ecosystem service values (ESVs) in AlUla cultural oasis, northwestern Saudi Arabia, using Landsat images of the years 1984, 1992, 2010, and 2023, cross-validated with field surveys and high-resolution data. Different approaches were used for the purpose of this study, including support vector machine (SVM), hot-spot analysis, and cluster and outlier analysis (local Moran’s I). However, to compute and evaluate the ESV, we used the benefit transfer approach (BTM). The results indicated a significant change in the built-up area between 1984 and 2023, which increased by 12.53 km². This transformation led to a wide variation in all ESVs each year, with an increase of ESV by USD 44.78 million during 1984 to 1992. In the following decade, however, the AlUla oasis witnessed a loss in its ESV by approximately USD 0.73 million and USD 36.70 million during the periods 1992 to 2010 and 2010 and 2023, respectively. Moreover, the spatial distribution patterns of ESVs varied considerably, especially for provisioning service (PS) and supporting service (SS), while it was more clustering for regulating service (RS) and cultural service (CS). This study indicates that urban development is among the important factors behind changes and losses in the ESV in this arid oasis. Full article

Natural protected areas harbor ecosystems with significant ecological functions and economic value. The scientific accounting of Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) is therefore critical for harmonizing ecological conservation with regional development. Using China’s Xilingol Grassland National Nature Reserve as a case study, this paper develops and applies a novel “3M” GEP accounting framework, integrating the three core elements of multi-dimensional indicators, multi-source data, and multi-method adaptation. This framework was employed to systematically quantify the values of the reserve’s provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services. The results show an annual GEP of CNY 170.5229 billion for the 5835.65 km² reserve. Regulating services constituted the dominant share (97.77%), with climate regulation being the most significant component (CNY 160.15 billion). It is important to note that this high proportion is method-dependent, stemming from the industrial-substitution scenarios used to value non-market services. The combined contribution of provisioning and cultural services was 2.23%, representing 1.00% and 1.23%, respectively. Uncertainty analysis indicated a total error margin of ±9.3% (95% confidence interval), which is within an acceptable range for ecological accounting. The primary sources of uncertainty were data-resolution limitations, methodological choices, and regional parameter variability. These findings, corroborated by sensitivity analysis, confirm the robustness of the GEP estimate and clarify the influence of key ecological parameters on the valuation. By optimizing regional indicator adaptation, methodological localization, and multi-source data cross-validation, the proposed framework enhances the accuracy and policy relevance of ecosystem service valuation. It thus provides a methodological reference for GEP accounting and ecological asset management in other natural protected areas. Full article

Mining-resource-based cities, as distinctive human–environment systems, face urgent challenges from intensified urbanization and mining, leading to land imbalance and ecosystem service degradation. To enhance resilience, it is essential to identify the evolution and drivers of ecosystem services and construct targeted ecological compensation models. This study focuses on Xinzhou, a representative mining city in China, and systematically analyzes three aspects: (1) spatiotemporal dynamics of land use and ecosystem service value (ESV) from 2000 to 2023 using Markov chains, equivalent factor method, hotspot and sensitivity analyses; (2) identification of ESV driving mechanisms through an integrated “stepwise regression + geographical detector” framework; and (3) formulation of ecological compensation models via quantification of priority indices, demand intensity coefficients, and compensation standards. Key findings indicate that land conversion was concentrated in coalfield zones and surrounding built-up areas, involving 2,518,341.75 hm² (35.76% of total area), primarily characterized by a reduction in farmland and expansion of forest, grassland, and construction land. ESV showed a striped spatial pattern, with higher values in mountainous zones and lower values in valleys and basins with frequent human activity. The northwest coalfield region experienced an initial decline followed by a recovery in ESV. Annual mean temperature emerged as the dominant driver, while DEM influence increased annually. All factor interactions exhibited synergistic effects, with natural variables exerting greater influence than socio-economic ones. Ecological compensation demand was high overall, especially in Wutai, Kelan, and Pianguan counties, with high-value compensation areas mainly distributed in the eastern and central parts of Xinzhou. Looking ahead, a compensation framework prioritizing ecological–economic optimization should be developed, guided by zoned, typological, and dynamic configurations. By analyzing ecosystem governance from the perspective of a mining-resource-based city, this study enhances global ecosystem service evaluation frameworks and offers a replicable model to advance transnational ecological cooperation and green urban transformation. Full article

Introduction: The left ventricular (LV) function can be characterized by the spatial displacement of the aortic valve annulus (AVA), represented by the AVA plane systolic excursion (AAPSE). AAPSE, measured using 3DSTE, has been shown to be a complex feature of LV function, reflecting not only longitudinal function. The present study aimed to evaluate the potential associations between AAPSE and LV volumes as assessed simultaneously using 3DSTE in the same healthy adult individuals. It was also examined when AAPSE and LV volumes were average, or they were smaller or larger than average. Methods: The present study included 109 healthy subjects (mean age: 35.1 ± 12.0 years; 68 men). All participants underwent two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography, and 3DSTE was performed for the simultaneous evaluation of LV volumes and AAPSE. Results: No significant changes in LV volumes and LV-EF were observed in association with increasing AAPSE. LV-ESV and LV mass increased significantly with increasing LV-EDV, while LV-EF remained preserved. No significant changes in AAPSE could be detected with increasing LV-EDV. LV-EDV and LV mass also increased significantly with increasing LV-ESV. LV-EF proved to be significantly increased in the presence of the lowest LV-ESV. No significant changes in AAPSE were observed with increasing LV-ESV. No correlations were found between AAPSE and LV-EDV or LV-ESV. Conclusions: LV volumes and the spatial excursion of the AVA, represented by AAPSE, are not associated in healthy adults when measured simultaneously using 3DSTE. Full article

China possesses 400 million hectares of grasslands that provide regulating ecosystem services (ESs), including wind erosion control, water conservation, and carbon sequestration. The central government implemented the Grassland Ecological Protection Subsidy and Reward Policy (GERCP) in 2011, allocating 150 billion yuan (approximately $23 billion) through 2020, while national vegetation coverage increased from 51.0% in 2011 to 56.1% in 2020. Existing valuation studies emphasize total economic value but rarely quantify the concentration of ES values across space or their alignment with fiscal allocation. We compiled 734 grassland ES valuation observations from 186 studies published between 2000 and 2024, and estimated a multi-level mixed-effects meta-regression model for benefit transfer. We projected standardized county-level ES values, decomposed spatial inequality using the Gini coefficient and Theil index, and assessed the mismatch between value-informed allocation weights and observed GERCP transfers. Predicted values exhibit high concentration (Gini coefficient = 0.58), and between-zone differences explain 52% of total Theil inequality. The mismatch analysis identifies 94 high-value and low-compensation counties concentrated in southern Qinghai and northern Tibet, where per-hectare values are 180 to 240% above national medians, and compensation is 35 to 55% below the median. The results support value-informed targeting and redistribution of fiscal weights across regions, while payment levels require pricing benchmarks based on opportunity cost or conservation cost rather than total economic value. We propose calibrating compensation rates through a tiered schedule based on ESV quantiles or standardized ecosystem-service bundles, and implementing county-level differentiated payments with periodic updating tied to monitoring and evaluation. As a minimum viable step, we recommend piloting this scheme in counties with high ESV yet low current compensation, and integrating it into existing ecological compensation funding channels to reduce administrative frictions. Full article

The upper Yellow River basin is a classic ecologically vulnerable area, characterized by acute human–land conflicts. The rapid pace of urbanization drives landscape fragmentation, which severely threatens regional sustainability and ecological security. Given the difficulty of using a single indicator to fully diagnose the relationship between ecological function and risk, this research establishes a spatial diagnostic framework that uses ecosystem service value (ESV) to measure functional output and landscape ecological risk (LER) to indicate structural vulnerability. Utilizing land use data from 1990 to 2020, we quantified, for the first time at a 250 m grid scale, the spatiotemporal evolution of ESV and LER in the riparian zone of the Lanzhou–Baiyin metropolitan area (LBMA). The findings reveal concurrent declining trends in both ESV and LER, which signal not ecological improvement but rather systemic degradation towards lower functionality and lower ecological risk. Bivariate LISA clustering was used to identify four categories of ecological regulation zones, offering a spatial foundation for implementing differentiated governance. Building on the four-zone typology, this research further proposes a tiered control strategy encompassing strict protection, urgent restoration, and built-up area optimization, highlighting its advantages compared to conventional single-indicator management. This framework links spatial pattern diagnosis with ecological governance actions and also provides an analytical tool for understanding and managing the security of riparian ecosystems under similar pressures. Full article

In 2021, China integrated over 80 nature reserves to establish the Giant Panda National Park (GPNP), creating the world’s largest contiguous habitat for giant panda conservation. To evaluate whether this unified management framework effectively enhances ecological integrity and provides essential governance benefits for the national park, this study employed ecosystem service value (ESV) as a key indicator of ecological condition in the Sichuan region of the GPNP (GPNPSC) based on 2022 data. Spatial autocorrelation analysis and a multiscale geographically weighted regression model were applied to examine the spatial heterogeneity of ESV and its driving factors. Landscape fragmentation indices were further incorporated to characterize habitat structure and connectivity. The results revealed pronounced spatial differentiation in ESV across the study area, with forest ecosystems and regulating services contributing the most. Elevation and socioeconomic factors stood out as major influences on ESV distribution. Areas with higher ESV also exhibited stronger landscape connectivity, highlighting the importance of continuous habitats for ecosystem functioning and giant panda population stability. These findings support ESV-based zoning for habitat monitoring, giant panda conservation, and sustainable development. Full article