Trade-offs and synergistic relationships of ecosystem services in the Qinling mountains, China

Abstract

To accelerate the construction of the national ecological security pattern and achieve the mutual promotion of regional ecological protection and economic development, this study focuses on the Qinling Mountains as the study area. Remote sensing, meteorological, and soil data were used to assess habitat quality, soil and water conservation, water production, and water purification trade-offs in the study area from 1980 to 2018. The study also explored the synergistic relationships among different ecosystem services and their spatial and temporal changes. The main findings revealed an overall increasing trend in habitat quality from 1980 to 2018, while soil and water conservation displayed an overall decreasing trend. Water production also showed an overall decreasing trend, while the maintenance of nitrogen and phosphorus both showed a decreasing trend. The study found a weak trade-off between habitat quality and soil conservation and water production, and a strong synergistic relationship with water quality purification. The study also revealed strong synergistic relationships between soil and water conservation and water production, weaker synergistic relationships between water production and water purification, and a stronger synergistic relationship between water production and water purification.