Exploring spatiotemporal changes in ecosystem-service values and hotspots in China

Abstract

Although ecosystems are valuable, they have been allowed to deteriorate globally in recent decades. However, the spatiotemporal changes in ecosystem-service values (ESVs) and their hotspots in China are not well understood. Here, long-term land-cover data, the spatial analysis method and an econometric analysis model were used to examine these changes. The results indicate that the total terrestrial ESV decreased from US$2398.31 billion in 1990 to US$2347.56 billion in 2010 (converted to 2009 dollar values), which provides strong evidence for the tendency of ecosystems in China to deteriorate over time, albeit slightly. We also found that the changes in ESVs had significant spatial heterogeneity. Our analysis showed that the relationship between ESV and gross domestic product (GDP) is generally negative, but this relationship is not always fixed. The Loess Plateau, Guizhou, Hubei, Henan and Xinjiang continually presented concentrated hotspot areas of ESV changes, whereas coastal regions continually presented concentrated cold-spot areas. Overlap analyses and logistic regressions demonstrate that national ecological programs have clear effects on the improvement of ecosystems but that the effectiveness of different policies varies on spatial and temporal scales. The results of this study will support more effective decision-making around the implementation of ecological conservation policies.

Impact of Land Use and Land Cover Change on Ecosystem Service Values: A Case Study of Khon Kaen City, Thailand

“…The concept of ecosystem services is defined as " the conditions and processes through which natural ecosystems, and the species that make them up, sustain and fulfill human life" (Luederitz et al, 2015). Li et al (2016) stated that ecosystems provide a multitude of services that are of fundamental significance to human well-being, livelihood, health, and survival. The importance of these services had stimulated considerable interest in their conservations by the publication of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, a monumental work involving over 1,300 scientists.…”

Target areas for harmonizing the Grain for Green Programme in China's Loess Plateau

“…Nonetheless, spatial information can optimize current ecological restoration planning and strategies by defining priority areas for ecological management (Li et al, 2016a), thus providing a critical pathway to regional sustainable management. We cannot answer questions about future GFGP implementation based solely on this spatial analysis.…”

“…We cannot answer questions about future GFGP implementation based solely on this spatial analysis. Nonetheless, spatial information can optimize current ecological restoration planning and strategies by defining priority areas for ecological management (Li et al, 2016a), thus providing a critical pathway to regional sustainable management. During the past 15 years, more cropland has been converted into ecological use (forest/grassland) in the target area than in non-target areas ( Figure S1), implying that current spatial layout of GFGP is relatively reasonable in the Loess Plateau.…”

“…extensive deforestation, cropland and urban expansion, etc.) Correspondingly, increasing interest has been focused on temporal and spatial changes of ecosystem services in the context of ecological restoration (Lu et al, 2012;Jiang et al, 2016;Li et al, 2016a). To improve human wellbeing and to change the degraded ecosystem and environment, ecological restoration programmes have been launched on a global scale (Willemen et al, 2018).…”

“…To improve human wellbeing and to change the degraded ecosystem and environment, ecological restoration programmes have been launched on a global scale (Willemen et al, 2018). Correspondingly, increasing interest has been focused on temporal and spatial changes of ecosystem services in the context of ecological restoration (Lu et al, 2012;Jiang et al, 2016;Li et al, 2016a). However, these theoretical ideas need to be incorporated into land-use planning and decision making.…”