Spatial and Temporal Dynamic Evolution and Correlation of Ecological Quality and Ecosystem Service Value in Fujian Province

Abstract

To promote sustainable development and improve human well-being, understanding how ecological quality influences ecosystem service value is essential. In this study, we quantified the ecological quality and ecosystem service value in Fujian Province from 2000 to 2021 using the Remote-Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) and the Equivalent Factor Approach, respectively. This analysis aimed to examine their spatial and temporal dynamic evolution and to explore the correlation between the two. The results indicate that the temporal and spatial patterns of ecological quality and ecosystem service value in Fujian Province from 2000 to 2021 were similar, with both showing fluctuating upward trends over time. The spatial distributions were high in central and northern Fujian and low in the southeastern coastal areas. The Pearson correlation analysis revealed reveals a significant positive correlation between the RSEI and ecosystem service value (r = 0.673, p < 0.01), suggesting a synergistic relationship. The highest correlation was observed between the supporting service value and the RSEI indicators (|r| = 0.449–0.815, p < 0.01), and between the NDVI and the supporting service value (r = 0.815, p < 0.01). The spatial autocorrelation analysis also showed that ecological quality and ecosystem service value were positively correlated spatially, with high–high agglomerations concentrated in northwest and central Fujian, and low–low agglomerations in the coastal area of south Fujian.