Search

[Display omitted] • The annual and seasonal changes of ecosystem health indicated the effectiveness of ecosystem restoration in the study area. • The importance of landscape structure in influencing ecosystem health varies by time and place. • landscape configuration has a stronger and less temporally stable impact on ecosystem health compared to composition. • Ecosystem management measures should be tailored to seasonal differences. Environmental managers have sought to optimize landscape structure to maintain regional ecosystem health (EH). However, we still lack a full understanding of the effects of changing landscape structure on EH, especially in terms of shorter time scales (e.g., monthly or seasonal scales) and spatial heterogeneity. To address this gap, this study used the vigor-organization-resilience-services (VORS) model to assess the annual and seasonal variation of EH in the Loess Plateau (LP) during 2000–2015, and then applied the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model to investigate the spatial effects of different aspects (i.e., landscape composition and configuration) of the landscape structure change on EH over time. Our results showed that the EH level in the LP from 2000 to 2015 displayed temporal non-stationarity at annual and seasonal scales, and a spatial pattern of decreasing from southeast to northwest. The effects of landscape structure on EH had obvious spatial and temporal heterogeneity, depending on the local landscape composition and configuration. In general, landscape configuration exerted a greater impact on EH than landscape composition apart from Shannon's diversity index and percentage of forestland area, but the intensity and direction of the impact displayed higher temporally instability and therefore should receive more attention. Furthermore, regulation of the dominant patch size, landscape connectivity and forest spatial spacing is the optimal choice for regional ecosystem management. The results suggest that EH responses to changes in landscape structure in the LP vary by time and place, and that the integrating temporal variation and spatial characteristics can help decision-makers make precise spatial arrangements and temporal adjustments to keep the negative ecological impacts within reasonable limits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Multi-period land-use data used to analyze change in northern Shaanxi. • ESV of Loess Plateau rose by 5.12 billion USD over 30 years. • Secondary services in order: regulation, support, provision, and cultural. • Cross-sensitivity coefficient showed sensitivity of land-use transition. • Provides data for ecological compensation and ecosystem management. The Grain-for-Green Program (GGP) has been contributing to changes in the nationwide use of land and vegetation, further changing ecosystem services (ESs). However, the influence of GGP on ESs, in terms of land use evolution remains elusive. This study is conducted based on a dataset collected every five years for the past 30 years. This dataset includes land use statistics and is obtained from Landsat images and the random forest algorithm. Land use evolution in the Loess Plateau in northern Shaanxi from 1990 to 2020 is systematically analyzed. The interest transfer method is adopted to compute the ecosystem service value (ESV), and the willingness and economic affordability are included in the evaluation model. Finally, a cross-sensitivity coefficient is specified to reveal the effects of land use evolution on the ESV in the studied area. The results are as follows: (1) Land use changes mainly occurred on farmland, forest, and orchards. In the past 30 years, the area of cultivated land showed a decreasing trend, whereas the land areas used for other purposes increased. (2) In the same period, the ESV of the investigated plateau continued to rise, increasing by 5.12 billion USD in total. Additionally, the ESV provided by secondary services increases in the following order: regulating services > supporting services > provisioning services > cultural services. (3) The cross-sensitivity coefficient showed that the net transition among forest, grassland, orchard, and unused land in the studied region is relatively sensitive, and a larger transition span of land utilization leads to a stronger effect on the ESV. This study offers crucial data for the compensation of interregional ecology and provides model cases for other regions for ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Potential EPR zones are delineated according to EQB generated from various ecosystem site types. • EMU supports to further extracted EPR zones from potential EPR zones. • Integrating ES supply–demand to evaluate EMU enables EPR advantages to benefit human directly. • Pre-intervention in ecosystem to avert risk can be realized by important EPR zoning of future multi paths. The implementation of ecological protection and restoration (EPR) aims to provide the corresponding ecosystem services (ESs) for the region's long-term development. Ecosystem status, usually evaluated by ecosystem quality, is an important foundation for delineating EPR zones. However, previous assessment methods fail to consider the effects of site conditions on ecosystem status. Furthermore, if limited resources are allocated to areas where ecosystem management is less urgent, the overall efficiency of the process will be compromised. To fill this gap, we developed a new framework that integrated improved ecosystem status assessment and ecosystem management urgency (EMU) to identify important EPR zones. To begin, the study area was divided into several ecosystem site type based on the site-condition factors, such as soil, climate, and others. Ecological quality then was assessed by parameters from remote sensing, including leaf area index, fractional vegetation cover, etc., which supported the identification of potential EPR zones based on a more accurate assessment of ecosystem status. Secondly, the EMU was determined by assessing the risk of ES supply–demand in the future under various development paths of the study area, potential EPR zones with great EMU are the EPR zones. Finally, the importance levels for EPR were divided by ecosystem quality to improve the practicability of EPR projects, and the important EPR zones are those where we should focus our efforts. The new framework was implemented in Hunan Province, a representative province in China of marked contradiction between economic development and ecosystem protection. The findings show that there is a 58.7 % disparity in the spatial distribution of potential EPR zones, depending on whether the impacts of site conditions on ecosystem status are taken into account or not; and given the EMU, the extent of important EPR zones under natural growth path (NGP) and economic development path (EDP) account for 0.43 % (902.15 km2) and 0.56 % (1195.43 km2) of the study area, respectively, comparing to the existing protection zones, there is 7.2 % (NGP) and 10.1 % (EDP) of vacancy, respectively. Under the ecosystem conservation path, the extent of EPR zones is 0, indicating that the ecosystem will recover gradually without the need for excessive human intervention. The new framework can assist in accurately identifying important EPR zones and promoting regional development by advanced ecosystem intervention in areas with potential risk in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ecosystem stability and resilience were at medium–low levels, while resilience was at medium–high levels. • Ecosystem stability, resilience, and resistance exhibit high spatial heterogeneity. • Human activities and socioeconomic factors play an important role in the distribution of ecosystem stability indicators. • Ecosystem stability indicators differ significantly between land use types. Assessing the ecosystem stability and the influencing factors in the fragile ecosystem of the agro-pastoral transitional zone of Northern China (APTZNC) is essential for the sustainable provision of multiple ecosystem services and adaptive ecosystem management. In this study, we selected Duolun County in the APTZNC as the study area. The ecosystem stability was assessed in terms of resistance and resilience, and the factors influencing the spatial distribution of stability were explored. The results showed that the mean value of ecosystem resistance in the study area was 0.61 (at a medium–high level), while the mean values of resilience and stability were 0.38 and 0.36, respectively, (at a medium–low level) in the past 21 years. The spatial patterns of ecosystem resistance, resilience, and stability showed significant spatial heterogeneity. Temperature and elevation were both negatively correlated with ecosystem resistance. At the same time, human activities and socioeconomics are the key factors which influence the distribution of stability indicators. The population density and gross domestic product show a correlation with stability, and the stability also varies across different land uses. Forest ecosystems showed high stability compared to croplands and grasslands when exposed to the same climate change perturbations; cropland ecosystems with a high intensity of human disturbance showed a loss of stability, while grassland ecosystems showed a gradual improvement in stability. These findings can provide effective information for sustainable management of different regions or ecosystem types in the context of climate change and intensified human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Proposing a systematic method to guide whole process management of rural landscape. • Linking ESs, LFZs, environmental spatial characteristics is applied to management. • Population growth is the macro-background driving rural development in Jiangning. • Ecological transition zone needs more comprehensive landscape planning and design. • Environmental spatial characteristics inspire delicate landscape design strategies. Suburban rural ecosystem, especially those adjacent to large cities, constitute a key component of rural and urban sustainability and resilience. However, urbanisation often exerts a negative impact on suburban rural landscapes, leading to ecological degradation. Despite making a significant contribution to multiple ecosystem services (ESs), suburban rural landscapes do not receive commensurate attention compared to urban themes, particularly on a smaller scale. We explored key drivers of land use dynamics in the suburban rural area of Jiangning, Nanjing, China, via a quantitative statistical mapping approach, utilising multi-source geospatial data from 2005 to 2018 and relevant ecological and socio-economic data that would enable the quantification of four key ecosystem services. Landscape functional zones characterised by ESs bundles were also identified, and their association with surrounding landscape attributes was statistically analysed. Our results highlighted urbanisation-induced population growth as the macro-context driving the development of Jiangning. The analysis yielded five distinct landscape functional zones (LFZs) that displayed synergistic relationships between their ESs, namely, carbon storage and soil retention, n-output and water yield. Furthermore, these results linked LFZs to environmental spatial characteristics and created detailed landscape elements for each zone, thereby emphasising the need for more comprehensive landscape planning and designing for ecological transition zones. We were thus able to imply zoning attributes-based rural landscape designs that may optimise ecological benefits. This study provides a systematic method to integrate ESs, landscape functional zones, and environmental spatial characteristics into the whole process management of suburban rural landscape planning. It aims to promote sustainable multifunctionality in suburban rural areas by providing spatial-level management indicators and landscape element-level design strategies for each LFZ, thereby revitalising the countryside from the perspective of landscape architecture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The EH of the YRB has slightly improved in the last two decades, but it is still not optimistic. • There is a significant nonlinear correlation between EH and impact factors. • The importance of anthropogenic factors on EH increased significantly, while the intensity of natural factors decreased. • Targeted ecological protection and restoration measures were proposed. Identifying the dominant factors influencing ecosystem health and their optimal thresholds is essential for the management and restoration of ecosystems. Most of the works, however, have less detected the importance level of individual factors, especially their changes over time and scale, and rarely determined their threshold effects on ecosystem health (EH), which seriously hinders the formulation of targeted policies for sustainable ecosystem management. To address these research gaps, we present an innovative visualization approach to reveal importance changes in natural and anthropogenic variables and their nonlinear coupling process with EH in the China's Yellow River Basin (YRB) in the last two decades. Results show that (i) Although the EH in the YRB has improved slightly in the past 20 years, it is still not optimistic and shows distinct spatial heterogeneity. (ii) The impact of human activities on the ecosystem health of the YRB has increased and increasingly plays a decisive role, while that of the natural aspect has decreased recently. Specifically, environmental factors (slope, NDVI, and annual temperature) are the dominant factors affecting the upstream EH. Midstream EH is significantly affected by the synergistic effect of natural and anthropogenic factors, but the importance of the proportion of built-up land is intensified (ranked from 8th to 4th). Anthropogenic factors exert the greatest influence on downstream EH variation, especially for population density whose importance order rising from 7th to 2nd. (iii) By illustrating the nonlinear response curves of EH at multi-scale, the tipping point caused ecosystem deterioration in the YRB is explored and the optimal thresholds of leading factors oriented towards the most effective ecosystem conservation goal are obtained. These results help precisely identify the current health status of YRB's ecosystem, as well as providing a valuable reference for moderate restoration standards and sustainable ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Evaluating an arid Ecosystem: Central Asia Case Study. • Quantifying four essential ecosystem services based on InVEST model. • Identifying key factors impacting ecosystem services and trade-offs. • Proposing Targeted Strategies for Effective Ecosystem Management. Ecosystem services (ESs) research is crucial for comprehending the intricate interplay between humans activities and the environment, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions like Central Asia, which straddles the transition from semi-arid to arid climates. Despite the ecological significance of these arid regions, research on ESs remains limited. In this study, we applied the InVEST model to analyze the spatial characteristics of multiple ESs, including water yield (WY), soil retention (SR), carbon storage (CS), and habitat quality (HQ), in Central Asia. Our findings unveil significant zonal disparities in the distribution of ESs and trade-offs across the region. WY, SR and WY-SR display distinct vertical zonation patterns, while CS and HQ exhibit both latitudinal and vertical zonation patterns. Trade-offs, with the exception of WY-SR, mostly exhibit a striped distribution pattern. Additionally, based on the GeoDetector approach, we identified key influencing factors, encompassing land use type, precipitation, evapotranspiration, temperature, vegetation coverage, soil depth, and soil organic matter. Notably, we discovered that the relationship between these factors and ESs, as well as trade-offs, is non-linear, with certain factors exhibiting optimal thresholds for maintaining either high or low levels of ESs and trade-offs. This study advances our understanding of ESs in the arid regions of Central Asia, offering valuable insights for regional ecosystem management and coordinated development. By shedding light on the non-linear dynamics of ESs and their response to influencing factors, it underscores the importance of further research to support sustainable development efforts in these regions. Future research can build upon these findings to develop policies and interventions that harness ESs for the benefit of the environment and local communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Environmental (eDNA) metabarcoding was compared to fishing in three estuaries. • eDNA generally detected a greater fish species richness than fishing. • eDNA could discriminate different fish assemblages between summer and autumn. • eDNA could detect fish assemblages between different estuaries. • eDNA can efficiently assess fish biodiversity in estuaries. Estuarine ecosystems are threatened by numerous anthropogenic pressures. Fish assemblages are a dominant component of estuarine macrofauna and serve as indicators for the health of these transitional water ecosystems. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is increasingly used to assess the biodiversity of fishes in estuaries. However, there is a need to further establish how effective eDNA metabarcoding can be relative to conventional fish sampling methods across multiple estuaries and seasons. This study compared fish assemblages detected via eDNA metabarcoding of surface water samples to contemporary sampling with conventional fishing gears in three temperate estuaries (UK), during early summer and autumn. Most species caught by fishing were detected by eDNA. Species richness estimates from eDNA were two to ten times higher than estimates based on fishing, and included taxa of conservation importance and a non-native species. The eDNA assemblage composition was significantly different to the assemblage detected by seine nets. Importantly, eDNA methods could effectively discriminate between fish assemblages of different estuaries and seasons. Fish assemblages in estuaries are often not monitored due to resource constraints. The dynamic nature of estuaries may make fishing gear deployment difficult and inconsistent. The findings indicate that eDNA metabarcoding is suited to gathering large amounts of information on fish biodiversity, at a relatively low sampling effort, compared to established fishing methods. Therefore, eDNA shows promise as an assessment tool for fish assemblage structure and ecosystem health in estuarine environments, with application to statutory monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The human activity intensity and ecosystem services were spatially heterogeneous. • The joint and individual effects of influencing factors on Total Ecosystem Services (TES) were considered. • The local spatial characteristics of the influencing factors were explored. • The Human Footprint Index (HFI) factors had constraint effects on TES. Identifying spatial heterogeneity in ecosystem services and understanding the spatial and temporal correlations between ecosystem service exploration and human activity intensity are vital for achieving regional harmony between human activities and the environment, ultimately fostering sustainable development. Previous studies primarily concentrated on the impact of human activities on ecosystem services while overlooking the intricate spatiotemporal dynamics and nonlinear relationships. In this study, which leveraged multi-source data, we found increasing trends in Human Footprint Index (HFI), most pronounced in the central region of Shaanxi Province. From 2000 to 2020, Shaanxi Province consistently exhibited an ecosystem service distribution pattern characterized by a 'high in the central-south and low in the northwest' trend. Habitat Quality (HQ) consistently maintained high values, signifying favorable habitat conditions, while Food Production (FP) remained relatively stable. Carbon Sequestration (CS) and Soil Conservation (SC) displayed diverse temporal patterns, whereas Water Yield (WY) showed noticeable fluctuations.This analysis revealed a negative correlation between HFI indicators and Total Ecosystem Services (TES). Constraint lines delineated hump-shaped relationships between TES and human activity intensity across various geomorphic areas. Notably, the differences between regions were significant, and threshold dynamics were identified. HFI negatively correlated with TES, moderate HFI growth improved services, yet exceeding ecological thresholds caused decline. Overall,this study informs necessary ecosystem management in Shaanxi, highlighting the need for balanced policies and predictive models that ensure sustainable development without crossing critical ecological thresholds. Future work should concentrate on developing predictive models that incorporate environmental, technological, and socio-economic variables, to better anticipate and mitigate the ecological impacts of human activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • River-valley reservoir heat variation aligns with inflow and outflow heat transport variation annually. • Inflow heat contribution is greater than surface heat exchange during reservoir stratification period. • The evolution of reservoir thermal stratification is driven by shear instability. • Heat transport and internal dynamics contribute to interannual cycling of seasonally stratified reservoir structures. Hydropower plants utilize hydroelectric energy while also impacting the hydrodynamic and hydrothermal processes within river. To comprehend and address the environmental and ecological impacts of hydropower plants, it is crucial to quantify these processes. The study synthesizes methods for calculating reservoir heat transport and Richardson numbers, presenting a comprehensive framework for understanding the interaction of heat transport and hydrodynamic processes in reservoirs based on EFDC model simulations. It quantifies the external thermal and internal hydrodynamic effects on the water temperature evolution of a deep valley reservoir, using the Jinsha River Xiluodu Reservoir as a case study. Multi-interface heat transport calculations indicate that the Deep River Valley Reservoir is a hydrothermal body dominated by inflow and outflow. During the water temperature stratification period, the reservoir water temperature increases by 0.015 °C/day due to surface heat fluxes, incorporating hydraulic residence time, while the reservoir water temperature increases by 0.06 °C/day due to inflow heat fluxes. Furthermore, this study analyses the interrelationships between reservoir buoyancy and shear stress based on the gradient Richardson number, revealing the interaction between hydrodynamic and water temperature processes. This study not only provides a framework for understanding reservoir thermodynamics but also provides a theoretical basis for effective reservoir management and ecosystem assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Shrub - grassland ecotone acts as a net CO 2 sink, with the maximum NEE occurring in July. • Shrub - grassland ecotone degradation diminishes the carbon sequestration capacity, and grazing exclusion enhanced carbon sequestration capacity, particularly in heavily degraded ecotone. • Soil moisture and soil temperature are pivotal drivers influencing NEE. • NEE was negatively correlated with soil temperature during April to June and September to October, but was positively correlated with soil temperature during July to August. • NEE displays a consistent negative correlation with soil moisture during April to October. Grassland degradation is a prevalent issue at the interface of shrubland and grassland ecosystems, particularly susceptible to environmental changes. To counteract the degradation, grazing exclusion has been proposed as a dominant restoration strategy on the Tibetan plateau, the world's largest and highest plateau. However, the impact of degradation and subsequent restoration on the carbon dynamics consist of carbon sink / source capacity of shrub-grassland ecotones remain unclear. Therefore, in this study, using a transparent chamber (0.8 m in length × 0.8 m in width × 0.6 m in height) attached to an infrared gas analyzer, the in situ field investigation was performed to measure the gross ecosystem primary productivity (GEP), ecosystem respiration (Re), net ecosystem CO 2 exchange (NEE), and environmental factors over a four-year continuous period in lightly and heavily degraded shrub-grassland ecotones during recover process on the Tibetan Plateau. Our result showed that: 1). Shrub-grassland ecotone acts as a net CO 2 sink, with the maximum NEE occurring in July during the growing season. 2). Ecotone degradation diminishes the carbon sequestration capacity. Specifically, the annual GEP, Re, and NEE rates decrease by 14.1 %, 7.3 %, and 27.2 %, respectively, in the heavily degraded ecotone compared to the lightly degraded counterpart. 3). Grazing exclusion positively influenced the carbon sequestration capacity, particularly in heavily degraded ecotone, which leads to a substantial increase in the annual GEP, Re, and NEE rates of 15.4 % and 33.4 %, 12.3 % and 20.9 %, 22.25 % and 64.9 % for lightly and heavily degraded ecotones, respectively. 4). A piecewise structural equation model reveals that soil moisture and soil temperature are pivotal drivers influencing NEE. 5) Correlation analysis shows that NEE was negatively correlated with soil temperature during April to June and September to October but was positively correlated with soil temperature during July to August. In contrast, NEE displays a consistent negative correlation with soil moisture throughout the growing season. This research provides new insights on grassland degradation and restoration for carbon sequestration in alpine shrub-grassland ecotones and highlights their implications for sustainable management of alpine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spatiotemporal patterns in five ecosystem services were analyzed. • Spatiotemporal distributions of four ecosystem service bundles were explored. • Driving factors of ecosystem services and ecosystem service bundles were identified. Exploring the spatiotemporal dynamics of ecosystem services (ESs) and their drivers is a crucial but challenging task for improving ecosystem management and human well-being. However, few studies have focused on the evolution and mechanisms of ESs in typical upper watersheds in arid/semi-arid regions. Thus, this study examined the upper Fenhe watershed (UFW) in the Yellow River region, and aim to evaluate the spatiotemporal changes in ESs and ES bundles (ESBs) during 2000–2020. To this end, we utilized multi-source data, the InVEST model, and the K-means clustering algorithm. We then determined the contributions of various factors driving ESs using the geo-detector method (GDM). The results revealed that: (1) ESs exhibited spatial variation by county and ES type, and the overall trends were primarily reflected in the decrease in soil conservation (-11.04 t/hm2·a) and the increase in water yield (41.14 t/hm2·a). (2) Cluster analysis resulted in the designation of four types of ESBs in the study area during 2000–2020. (3) The spatiotemporal variation in ESs in the UFW was predominantly affected by natural factors, such as precipitation and sunshine hours. Our results provide a valuable reference for the ecological management and sustainable development of watersheds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Reframing complex issues through the lens of a socio-ecological system (SES) perspective. • A comprehensive framework was proposed to integrating SES with ecosystem services (ES). • The composition and configuration of the SES structure will result in modification to ES. • Relevant management recommendations are offered for enhancing regional ES in the context of SES. A severe decline in ecosystem services (ES) has accompanied the rapid development of human societies. There is a growing interest in considering ES management from a systemic and integrated perspective. Yet, researchers still need to explore effective ways to integrate human and natural systems for strengthening ES. This study proposes an integrating framework that connects the concept of social-ecological system (SES) with ES. We utilize land use types as indicators of basic SES structure and employ the InVEST model to evaluate typical ES in the Jialing River Basin (JRB). By analyzing spatial and temporal characteristics of SES and multiple typical ES, we investigate how ES is related to different SES types. The results reveal that: (1) from 1980 to 2020, the SES of the JRB underwent significant transformations, including a decrease in cropland areas, while construction land and forestland areas increased. Especially, construction land SES experienced an increase as high as 212.53%. (2) Regarding ES, water yield (WY) increased while soil conservation (SC), carbon storage (CS), and habitat quality (HQ) decreased. (3) The relationship analysis demonstrated disparities in levels of ES across various SES types. Construction land SES exhibited the highest average WY but lower SC, CS, and HQ values compared to forestland which had higher average SC, CS, and HQ instead. These findings imply that regional ES will be positively or negatively affected by transformation within SES. In the long run, it is crucial to synthesize both the characteristics of SES and functional benefits provided by ES in the JRB, then control the favorable transformations within SES to enhance a sustainable supply of ES. This study provides a novel methodology for connecting SES and ES comprehensively with new perspectives that will be beneficial for building regional SES management and ES enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Exhibited spatial heterogeneity of ecosystem services (ESs). • Drivers of ESs had clear spatial distribution zoning rules. • Revealed threshold curves for the transform of ESs drivers. • Proposed an EEs-enhancing ecological conservation strategy. Investigating large-scale spatial patterns of ecosystem services (ESs) and their underlying drivers can greatly contribute to policies-making and regional sustainability development. With water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), and carbon sequestration (CS) as representative ESs, we aim to quantify their spatial patterns in the Yangtze River Economic Belt, China, and to identify their driving factors, and to formulate sound environmental management strategies. Spatial geography and socioeconomic data from 2000 to 2020 were mined and a range of research methods, including multiscale geographic weighted regression, self-organizing maps, and linear discriminant analysis, were employed for such a purpose. Annual average WY, SC, and CS were 403 mm, 9897 t·km−1, and 1071 g·CO 2 ·m−2. The three ESs examined exhibit spatial heterogeneity. WY exhibited significant patterns of variation along the north–south gradient, while SC and CS exhibited significant variation along the topographic gradient. In the context of high correlation of driving factors among ESs, WY and SC exhibited a greater sensitivity to natural factors (such as precipitation), while CS demonstrated a height sensitivity to human activities in addition to vegetation cover. Spatial heterogeneity is pronounced among the main driving factors of ESs. Three threshold equations were established to describe the manner in which driving factors of different regional ecosystem services undergo transformations, equations possessed a high level of credibility in this study (coincidence > 80 %). This study reveals spatial variations in ecosystem services and their natural and socio-economic drivers. More specifically, we quantitatively validated the threshold in the expression of ecosystem service drivers, establishing a strong scientific foundation for regional ecosystem conservation and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The most important relationships between the seven ecosystem services (ESs) were synergies. • The trade-offs between sandstorm prevention and other ESs have weakened. • Adopting the random forest model to quantify the relative importance of driving factors underlying ESs relationships. • Land use was the primary driver for trade-offs/synergies between ESs. • The impact of natural and social drivers on ESs relationship strength was non-linear. The ecosystem services (ESs) interactions of dryland, play a significant role in maintaining ecosystem stability and supporting human well-being against the backdrop of a growing worldwide drought. Nevertheless, the quantitative evaluation of this topic has been limited. Therefore, we analyzed variations in seven ESs (livestock production, carbon sequestration, water yield, microclimate regulation, soil conservation, sandstorm prevention, and habitat quality) from 2000 to 2020 in the Hunshandak sandy land. Further utilizing machine learning, we discerned a variety of vital ESs interactions, alongside their fundamental drivers. The results showed that synergies are considered to be the most crucial relationships between ESs. Most trade-offs between ESs have weakened in space. Land use is the most important factor restricting the trade-off intensity of ESs. Grassland, forest, and unused land are the most sensitive to changes in relationship intensity. NDVI is critical for interpreting ESs thresholds that most ESs have a trade-off intensity threshold of less than 0.3. Average annual precipitation has inflection points of 250, 300, 350, and 450 mm, while the inflection points for temperature occurred at 2.8, 3, and 3.5 °C. Valuable guidance for dryland worldwide could be provided by timely and in-depth insights into the socio-ecological drivers that influence interactions among ESs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ecological risk in marine Natura2000 sites was assessed by Weight-of-Evidence (WOE). • The approach combines different lines of evidence to obtain an integrated risk. • Evidence on sediment chemistry, ecotoxicology and benthic community were combined. • A low overall ecological risk was found, though specific risks varied across sites. • WOE may be a useful tool for risk assessment and monitoring of protected areas. The effective management of marine ecosystems in the face of growing anthropogenic pressures requires the integration of data from different ecological components. Holistic approaches to evaluate the ecological status of marine ecosystems are still scarce, likely due to the challenge of integrating the complex information from a variety of indicators. In this study, we provided an application of a quantitative Weight-Of-Evidence (WOE) model based on the Sediqualsoft® software, combining environmental and biological data to assess ecological risk in soft-bottom habitats within Natura sites 2000 in the Northern Adriatic Sea (Mediterranean Sea). Here, the WOE approach combined three lines of evidence (LOE): chemical characterization (LOE1), ecotoxicological properties (LOE4), and benthic community status (LOE5). A separate hazard quotient was derived for each LOE prior to a weighted integration into a synthetic WOE assessment. The chemical analysis of the sediments revealed concentrations of pollutants far lower the reference limits, except for As and Hg and for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which determined a 'Slight' to 'Severe' chemical hazard in coastal sites. Ecotoxicological hazard was rated as 'Absent' at all sampling stations, and the analysis of benthic communities indicated 'undisturbed' conditions for most sites. The WOE approach classified the overall ecological risk to be 'Absent' for offshore sites and 'Slight' in nearshore sites. Although results suggested a general low ecological risk, the potential for future risks is recognized, especially in coastal areas, due to well-known sediment pollution in the region. The application of the WOE approach may represent a valuable tool for managing marine protected sites, and to characterize the overall ecological status of these areas and improve conservation strategies in highly anthropized environmental contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Synergistic effects of surface and groundwater on desert riparian vegetation were analyzed. • The cautionary depth to groundwater for vegetation expansion in the lower Tarim River is 4.0–5.0 m. • Flooding by surface water (lateral water transfer coverage) acts as the main driver for the expansion of vegetation in arid areas. • A zonal ecological water transfer strategy helps to promote effective ecosystem restoration in the region. Restoring degraded ecosystems in drylands is challenging because of low precipitation and high evapotranspiration. Water availability determines the existence and spatiotemporal distribution patterns of key endangered species struggling to survive in the severely damaged desert riparian ecosystem of the lower Tarim River (LTR) in NW China. Ecological water flow restoration measures with high costs and uncertainties have been implemented since 2000. The key task for scientists is to assess the success and drawbacks of this restoration project and propose specific recommendations for stakeholders to optimize the ecological benefits of the project in a cost-effective manner. In this study, Landsat time-series data from 1990 to 2020 were used to extract vegetation index values from river corridors along the LTR and explore the spatiotemporal patterns of desert riparian forest (DRF) vegetation. Based on land use and surface water data, we extracted the interannual spatial distribution range of vegetation and surface water, and selected several sample plots to demonstrate the influence of surface water and groundwater on vegetation change trends. The study results showed the following. 1) From 1990 to 1999, the vegetation slowly degraded; from 2000 to 2012, the extent of vegetation restoration was approximately 1 km from the river; and from 2013 to 2020, the extent of vegetation restoration at the Yingsu and Karday sections increased to 4.5–6.0 km, while that at the Arghan and Yiganbujima sections remained within 1 km from the river. 2) The vegetation growth rate increased substantially and was spatially heterogeneous when the groundwater level reached 4.0–5.0 m and was influenced by surface water divergence; the average vegetation expansion rates per square km for P 1 –P 4 were 0.017 km2/a, 0.011 km2/a, 0.005 km2/a, and 0.002 km2/a, respectively. 3) Flooding by surface water was the main driver of vegetation expansion when groundwater was stable and elevations in surface vegetation area were often accompanied by the spreading of surface water. Surface water was significantly correlated with vegetation cover and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) (Water pixels–Vegetation cover [P 1 : R2 = 0.57, P < 0.001; P 2 : R2 = 0.45, P < 0.01]; Water pixels–NDVI [P 1 : R2 = 0.22, P < 0.05; P 2 : R2 = 0.40, P < 0.01]). The increase in surface vegetation has alleviated the desertification process in the LTR, and the survival of the poplar has been mitigated. The results of this paper can help decision makers to formulate reasonable ecological water conveyance strategies and realize sustainable management of DRF ecosystems in arid zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Residents prioritize supporting services and value "leisure and recreation" the most, followed by "air purification". • Perceptions among different types of ESs show significant spatial differences. • Indigenous ecological concepts affect residents' perceptions. • Education and livelihood positively impact residents' perceptions, while nationality, gender, age, distance, and relief show negative. • Residents' perceptions of ESs clarify NR conservation's social and ecological effects. Understanding residents' perceptions of ecosystem services (ESs) is important for modern ecosystem management. However, these perceptions are often overlooked in managing nature reserves, leading to decreased residents' participation in policy implementation. This study proposes to investigate the perceptions and ecological concepts contained in ESs among residents using a questionnaire survey. The results showed that: (1) Residents prioritize supporting services and they value "leisure and recreation" the most, followed by "air purification" and "habitat for animals and plants". (2) Perceptions of different ESs have significant spatial differences, and distance significantly affects residents' perceptions. (3) Most types of ESs are significantly correlated with each other, and indigenous ecological concept has a profound impact on their perceptions. (4) Education and livelihood play a positive effect on the perceptions of ESs, while nationality, gender, age, distance, and relief show a negative influence. Improving education levels, establishing community rules and regulations, strengthening humans and nature connections, using ecological indigenous concepts in environmental management, and integrating residents' perceptions into regional development planning are some suggested solutions. This research study provides valuable insights into incorporating residents' perceptions and indigenous knowledge into ecological management and policy development at local and regional levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The proposed method links fish growth scenarios and water budget analysis to evaluate and secure ecological flow for river ecosystem conservation. • This study assesses compliance of target fish species with instream flow after dam construction in Gam River basin, Korea. • The K-WEAP model proves effective in validating water balance network and conducting ecological flow assessments, offering valuable insights for river management. Maintaining ecological flow is crucial for preserving healthy aquatic ecosystems. This study presents a novel approach to assess and secure ecological flow by linking fish growth scenarios with water budget analysis. Addressing the challenges of accurately predicting ecological flow requirements, especially in post-dam-construction scenarios, is a central focus. In the Gam River basin, we assess the compatibility of a target fish species with post-dam quantitative instream flow, confirming an appropriate 4 m3/s for Zacco platypus in the basin's water supply system. This determination, facilitated by the K-WEAP model, not only ensures water availability but also prevents the Gimcheon-Buhang Dam from falling below its dead storage water level. Our study's key achievements include the development and successful application of this innovative methodology, integrating basin water budget analysis with fish population growth predictions across varying flow conditions. This approach allows the identification of potential ecosystem risks like water scarcity or pollution and determines the optimal ecological flow needed for maintaining the river ecosystem. Our research provides valuable insights for future endeavors in sustainable water resources management and river ecosystem conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ecosystem services are benefits humans obtain from ecological systems. • Temporal and spatial dynamics and drivers of supply–demand relationships studied. • Multidisciplinary and multi-method approach using multi-data sources. • Supply/demand of eight ESs in the DJKR area have clear spatiotemporal variability. • Spatial guidance and decision-making basis for ES optimization. The supply–demand, spatial matching, trade-offs, and synergies of ecosystem services (ESs) are important foundations for sustainable environmental management. The Danjiangkou Reservoir area (DJKR) is an important water source for the South-to-North Water Diversion Middle Route Project in China. Spatiotemporal dynamics of supply and demand for eight ESs between 2000 and 2020 were studied using the food–energy method, InVEST model, recreation opportunity spectrum, supply–demand matching relationship, and geographically weighted regression. From 2000 to 2020, supply and demand of the eight ESs displayed clear spatiotemporal variability; geographic detector analysis showed that land-use types were strong determinants of supply, with the interactions between each factor stronger than those between single factors. Demand for ESs was limited by natural–social factors. The supply–demand ratios of each indicator varied spatially (at regional, county, and sub-watershed scales) and temporally. Similarly, trade-off synergistic relationships also changed at all three spatial scales. Spatial control areas (levels I–IV) were delineated, and corresponding management programs were proposed. The results of this study strengthen our understanding of the spatiotemporal variation and driving factors in ES supply–demand, and provide technical and theoretical support for spatial management policies for ESs in the DJKR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Topography was the dominant factors affecting the forest productivity of Platycladus orientalis plantations. • The areas with low altitude (168–252 m), gentle slopes (5–13 degrees), sunny or semi-sunny slopes, and high soil organic matter content (>38 g/kg) were more likely to breed high forest productivity. • Proposing the effective strategies to improve the forest productivity of Platycladus orientalis plantations. • Expanding the application scope of the MaxEnt model. The purpose of forest management is to establish a forest ecosystem with multifunction in Beijing's mountainous areas, and the priority is to increase forest productivity aiming to achieve carbon neutrality. In this study, we investigated 62 sample plots of Platycladus orientalis plantations and compared the relative contributions of stand and environmental factors to forest productivity by using variance partitioning analysis, the direct and indirect effects of these factors were explored by using structural equation model. And the geographical distribution of areas with higher forest productivity of Platycladus orientalis plantations was simulated and the contributions of these factors to the greater productivity was analyzed by using maximum entropy model (MaxEnt). The results indicated that topography was the dominant factors affecting the forest productivity of Platycladus orientalis plantations, followed by stand and soil nutrient factors. The results of structural equation model indicated that both topography and stand factors not only directly affect forest productivity, but also indirectly affect it by influencing soil nutrients. Soil nutrients had only direct impact on forest productivity. Forest productivity of Platycladus orientalis plantations was higher in areas with low altitude (168–252 m), gentle slopes (5–13 degrees), sunny slopes or semi-sunny slopes, soil total nitrogen content (>1.5 g/kg), and soil organic matter content (>38 g/kg). By changing the slopes to 5–13 degrees, increasing soil total nitrogen content to 1.5 g/kg and soil organic matter content to 38 g/kg, the average existence probability of higher forest productivity areas increased from 0.32 to 0.46, and amount of areas with higher productivity will be increased by approximately 43.8 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Grid and county scales are more susceptible to natural factors and social factors, respectively. • The relationships between certain ecosystem services change as scales change. • In terms of drivers, NDVI dominates all influences at all scales. • Expands the limited knowledge about how both ESs and drivers vary at different scales. Intensive human activities have caused serious damage to the natural environment and threatened ecosystem services, while the relationships between ecosystem services at different spatial scales vary to some extent. Therefore, identifying different patterns, evolutionary trends, and influencing factors of ecosystem services at different scales is more helpful in providing scientific decision-making for sustainable ecosystem management. Taking eastern China as the research area, with the help of a Gaussian mixture model, redundancy analysis and geographically weighted regression models, the spatiotemporal pattern evolution of ecosystem services from multiple scale perspectives were conducted, and the interrelationships between ecosystem services and the driving factors were explored. It expanded the knowledge of ecosystem services, the relationships between ecosystem services, and how the socio-ecological drivers of ecosystems vary at different spatial scales, and enabled more precise manipulation of socio-ecological drivers through different driving models. The average value of ecosystem services in the southern region was 0.672, which was better than that in the northern region, which was 0.353. Ecosystem services were lower in regions with a wide distribution of arable land and high population density and economic development. The relationship between ecosystem services was more manifested as synergistic relationship. As the scale expanded, the synergies and trade-offs between most ESs were also stronger and the average increase was 18.42 %. Especially, the relationships between some services developed from synergistic relationships at small scales to trade-offs at the county level. From the perspective of ecosystem service bundle, the overall ecosystem environment of the research area has been greatly improved, with enhanced supply function and weakened vulnerability. The area of ecosystem provisioning bundles increased by an average of 10.31 % as the scale increased, while the ecosystem regulation bundle decreased by 7.33 %. By comparison, the non-spatially driven model had better accuracy at the scale of 1 km2 and 100 km2, while the spatially driven model had higher accuracy at the county scale. Besides, normalized difference vegetation index occupied an absolute dominant position, and the natural elements acted more at the micro-scale, while the socio-economic elements were more influential at the macro-scale. These results provided a basis for subsequent research on multi-scale ecosystem control and ecological compensation strategies, and showed that natural and social factors were scale-dependent, that it was necessary to study ecosystem services, and emphasized the importance of developing appropriate policies at particular scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Phenology and physiology can capture variations in cumulative carbon uptake (ACCU). • Drought caused a net loss of 75.9 TgC in ACCU in Southwest China during 2001–2020. • Drought decreased ACCU by delaying spring phenology and advancing autumn phenology. Drought poses a significant threat to the sustainability of ecosystems, particularly in regions like Southwest China, where it has been observed to substantially reduce the annual cumulative carbon uptake (ACCU). Understanding the mechanisms driving this reduction is therefore crucial for effective ecosystem management. To address this issue, this study decomposed ACCU into three indicators, i.e., start of the growing season (SOS), end of the growing season (EOS), and peak gross primary productivity (GPPmax), through the Statistical Model of Integrated Phenology and Physiology (SMIPP), and explored the response of ACCU to drought. The results revealed that phenology (SOS and EOS) and physiology (GPPmax) components collectively captured 74% of the variation in ACCU, confirming the applicability of the SMIPP model in Southwest China. Among the three indicators, GPPmax contributes to ACCU more than the two phenological indicators. We also found that, from 2001 to 2020, drought decreased ACCU by 65.58 Tg C through delying SOS, by 21.47 Tg C through advancing EOS, but increased ACCU by 11.15 Tg C through increasing GPPmax, resulting in a net loss of 75.90 Tg C in ACCU. Our findings highlight the predominant negative impact of drought on ACCU, achieved primarily through alterations in phenology. Overall, this study quantified the respective contributions of phenology and physiology in the response of ACCU to drought, and would inform the prediction of ACCU of ecosystems under future drought in Southwest China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Species distribution models (SDMs) combine data on species occurrence and environment. • The SDM performance predicting species occurrence can be measured as the goodness-of-fit. • We compared the goodness-of-fit (GOF) of SDMs among 56 breeding bird species. • GOF was unrelated to species home-range, body mass, detectability or diet-specialization. • SDMs were more accurate for habitat-specialist species, mainly for grassland species. Species distribution models (SDMs) are numerical tools that combine species occurrence (or abundance) data with environmental variables, to predict the species' distribution spatially. SDMs are increasingly used for purposes of conservation planning and management of ecosystems. The model performance can be measured as the goodness-of-fit (GOF), which describes how well it fits (e.g., the discrepancy between the statistical model and the data observed). However, there is still a need for a deeper understanding of the ecological characteristics of the modelled species which can affect the accuracy of those models. Here, we compared the goodness-of-fit of SDMs, considering several ecological characteristics of 56 bird species: Most frequently used environment, body mass, home-range, species specialization index (SSI), diet specialization and detectability. All SDMs were performed on the same dataset, and the relative frequency of each species was also incorporated to account for occurrence heterogeneity. GOF of SDMs was not significantly correlated with species' frequency, home-range, body mass, degree of detectability or level of diet specialization. Overall, the birds with more accurate SDMs (GOF) were species of grasslands and the GOF was positively associated with SSI, indicating that more habitat-specialized species are better predictable. Our findings suggest that is important to focus not only on statistical issues potentially related to model performance but also on ecological characteristics of single species because can improve the performance of modellistic procedures, increasing their predictive power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Incorporating infiltration-excess runoff improves the water yield estimation. • Soil water decreases and water stress increases after vegetation restoration. • Soil water varies stronger in loess soil region and for converted vegetation types. Over the last few decades, vegetation–soil water interactions in the semiarid middle Yellow River basin have been a topic of interest for many researchers, especially since the implementation of the Grain-to-Green Project (GTGP) in 1999. The probabilistic states of soil water and water stress on vegetation development provide interactions from a perspective that is different from process-based modelling approaches. The Laio's model, a widely used probabilistic soil water model was applied in the study. To include the infiltration-excess runoff, co-exist with the saturation-excess runoff, or even be dominant in the study region, a parameter Δ 2 was incorporated to reflect mean surface runoff of a rainfall event under current theoretical framework of Laio's model. The modified model was evaluated against the observations, and the effectiveness of the modification was proved in the study region. Based on the modified model, the soil water response to vegetation restoration was studied with remote-sensing based land use and leaf area index in the 2000 s and 2010 s. Vegetation was restored in most parts of the region, resulting in soil water reduction in approximately 83 % of the area, and the soil water stress increased by 49 % on average. The reduction in soil water and increase in soil water stress were more serious in areas that had converted vegetation and loess soil than those had non-converted vegetation and non-loess soil. These findings might imply that vegetation greening will reach an upper limit due to the negative soil water balance and increased water stress on plant growth, which is meaningful for a better understanding of vegetation–soil water interactions and ecosystem management in semi-arid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Soil moisture in mining areas shows a downward trend as a whole. • The total effect of Mining factors on soil moisture and soil nutrients in semi-arid mining areas are negative, which the negative impact of subsidence is the largest. • Soil moisture is restored to a certain extent under the action of natural restoration, but soil nutrients are difficult to recover and require artificial reclamation. The spatial–temporal variability of soil moisture plays a pivotal role in the reconstruction and management of ecosystems in mining areas. However, the actual driving mechanisms behind long-term, continuous mining disturbances remain unclear due to a lack of continuous data. To address this gap, a network of instrumented sites, known as Disturbed Critical Zone Observatories (DCZO), has been established for ecological monitoring in mining areas. In this study, we used Sentinel-1A images of the Dafosi Mine from 2014 to 2022 and one year of continuous DCZO monitoring data. We employed Theil-Sen median trend analysis, empirical orthogonal function (EOF), and structural equation modeling (SEM) to quantitatively explore the factors influencing the variability of soil moisture and soil nutrients under continuous mining disturbances. The results showed: (1) Inter-annual variations in soil moisture differed among coal seams mined in various years, with the steepest decline observed in seams mined in 2021–2022 > 2018–2020 > 2015–2017 > 2013–2014. (2) Mining areas exhibited a significant reduction in Available Nitrogen (AN), Available Phosphorus (AP), and Available Potassium (AK), with decreases of 25.12 %, 25.38 %, and 22.59 %, respectively, compared to non-mining areas. (3) The first two EOFs explained 80.42 % of the observed spatiotemporal soil moisture pattern, 77.69 % of AN, 70.21 % of AP, and 88.32 % of AK, accounting for the total variability in soil moisture and soil nutrients. (4) The contribution rates of mining to soil moisture and nutrient variation were 27.31 % and 13.91 %, with subsidence having the most pronounced negative impact. Additionally, our study revealed that while soil moisture can partially recover through natural processes, soil nutrients require artificial reclamation during mining. This study offers valuable insights for sustainable mining management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The nutrient status of 126 seaward rivers across China were assessed. • Rivers in the Southern China generally have high nutrient flux due to large runoff. • Riverine TN and TP concentrations are remarkablly higher in the Northern China. • Rainfall and fertilizer use drive high summer TP concentration in northern rivers. • Coal-fired heating contributes to the elevated winter TN concentration in northern rivers. Understanding the riverine nutrient status is of paramount importance to the management of coastal ecosystems. This study investigated the spatial and seasonal variability of nutrient status in the seaward rivers of China at a national scale, using the latest observational data (2020–2023). A total of 126 rivers were considered, covering nearly all rivers in China that enter adjacent seas. The average flux of total nitrogen (TN) to the sea amounts to about 8968 tons d-1, while the total phosphorus (TP) and ammonium (AN) flux are about 329 tons d-1 and 276 tons d-1, respectively. In general, the river nutrient fluxes are higher in summer, with the Southern China (SC) showing higher levels than the Northern China (NC). This pattern is largely regulated by the spatio-temporal characteristics of runoff. By contrast, the spatio-temporal pattern of riverine nutrient concentration differs from it slightly. Riverine TN/TP concentration typically shows higher levels in NC, peaking in winter/summer, while the spatio-temporal variations of AN are minimal. The coal-fired heating prevalent in NC during winter causes severe atmospheric nitrogen pollutions, contributing to the heightened TN concentration in local rivers. At the meantime, the vast cropland in NC creates a substantial demand for the phosphorus fertilizer, responsible for the elevated TP concentration in northern rivers. The seasonal variation of TP concentration is mainly driven by rainfall, which exacerbates the loss of phosphorus from croplands into nearby rivers, leading to a simultaneous increase in riverine TP and turbidity levels during summer. This process is particularly pronounced in NC, due to elevated phosphorus levels in croplands and more concentrated summer rainfall. The present study suggests the crucial role of human activities in shaping the riverine nutrient status in China, which will be of practical significance for the future environmental management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A comprehensive socio-economic-ecological framework was proposed to evaluate ecosystem vulnerability at regional scale. • Ecosystem vulnerability of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area experienced a decline from 1990 to 2020, the ecological environment continues to improve. • Human activities had greater impact on ecosystem vulnerability change than climate change. • The patterns and mechanisms of ecosystem vulnerability are crucial for ecological conservation and management. The constant conflict between the rapidly developing socioeconomic and ecological environment within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area necessitates the exploration of ecosystem vulnerability patterns and driving mechanisms. A comprehensive social–economic–ecological framework is proposed to assess the ecosystem vulnerability pattern of the Greater Bay Area, specifically spanning from 1990 to 2020. Employing geographic detectors and weighting methods, the study quantifies spatiotemporal variation and the underlying mechanisms driving vulnerability in the study area. The results demonstrate an obvious trend in ecosystem vulnerability index (ESVI) across the Greater Bay Area, with an initial decline followed by gradual increase during the1990–2020. A substantial majority of the region (approximately 63.85% of the total area) experienced a decline in ESVI from 1990 to 2010. Moreover, the spatial distribution of this decline exhibited a prevailing east-to-west pattern, indicating an overall southward shift over time. Furthermore, a decline was primarily concentrated in the central region and the rapidly expanding urban areas situated on both sides of the Pearl River estuary. Encouragingly, a notable amplification in ESVI was observed between 2010 and 2020, which is attributed to the development, utilization, and protection of land, forests, water bodies, and other pertinent factors associated with urban expansion. The impact of climate change on ESVI changes exhibits a growing magnitude over time, while human activities persist as the predominant driver of ESVI changes. The natural factors exerted a substantial impact on ESVI changes primarily in the upper reaches of the Pearl River, which included topographic relief, precipitation, water network density, biological abundance, and related aspects. Conversely, the pronounced influence of human activities on ESVI changes predominantly manifests within the urban agglomeration of the Pearl River Delta. Key contributors to such a manifestation encompass land change types, intensity of human activities, population density, and related variables. Changes in land use have the potential to induce heightened ecological vulnerability changes. The amelioration of ecological protection and land use practices can be mitigated and reduced by employing ESVI. Moreover, the framework introduced in this study holds the potential to extend vulnerability assessments to other regions with similar ecosystem types. It is expected that the findings derived from this framework could contribute to the formulation of policy recommendations pertaining to ecosystem protection and management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study unravels intricate spatial and temporal variations in vegetation cover across diverse zones. • China's vegetation has seen remarkable greening growth in the last two decades. • NDVI, NDVIpre, and NDVIres show significant upward trends across China during 2000–2021. • Climate change and human activities have dual role in driving NDVI variation. • Sustainable strategies across China's distinct vegetation zones were proposed. Over the past two decades (2000–2021), China has experienced a significant increase in vegetation cover. However, the intricate spatial and temporal variations in vegetation cover, arising from the interaction of climate change and human activities, remain enigmatic, particularly across diverse vegetation zones. This research endeavors to unravel the dynamics of vegetation cover using the MOD13A1 Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) dataset, delving into China's seven distinct vegetation zones (VZ1-VZ7). This research employs residual analysis, relative analysis, and geo-detector techniques to investigate the drivers of NDVI variation and spatial heterogeneity across China's seven distinct vegetation zones. The findings reveal a compelling upward trajectory in NDVI, predicted NDVI, and residual NDVI across China during the 2000–2021 period. Notably, significant and extremely significant increases are discernible in approximately 53.90%, 50.13%, and 23.29% of China's NDVI, respectively. Among the vegetation zones, VZ3 displays the highest change rates, yet the proportion with a significant increase in VZ1 surpasses other zones. The relative analysis underscores climate change as the predominant catalyst for vegetation enhancement, although an exception is noted in VZ3. Furthermore, the spatial heterogeneity of China's NDVI is primarily influenced by the interactions between land use types and relative humidity, sunshine duration, and precipitation, especially the interaction between relative humidity and land use types. Significant changes in climate can lead to marked alterations in the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems, while changes in land use patterns at the regional level also alter the type of land cover, which together exert a significant impact on the vegetation NDVI. These results accentuate the importance of formulating tailored ecosystem management strategies tailored to the distinct characteristics of each vegetation zone to ensure the sustainable development of terrestrial ecosystems across China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The suitability of habitats in riverside areas was assessed using frog populations. • Genetic and physiological analyses of frogs were conducted. • Frogs in riverside areas exhibited high genetic diversity and good health. • However, genetic isolation due to river levees was observed in riverside areas. • Systematic population management and conservation strategies were implemented. Habitat suitability assessments are crucial for effective ecosystem management. We conducted genetic and physiological analyses of frog populations to assess the suitability of habitats in riverine wetlands, and compared populations in riverside areas between water channels and river levees, and protected lowlands between river levees and human living spaces. Our results showed unexpected genetic diversity in the riverside population but revealed differences in genetic structure between the two groups. Most physiological indicators were not significantly different, although some blood biochemical indicators revealed hepatic stress in frogs from the protected lowlands. The study suggests that frogs from riverside areas are not necessarily worse in terms of population size or health but may be genetically isolated due to levees. To address this issue, enhancing habitat connectivity is recommended. This study demonstrated the utility of genetic and physiological information for understanding complex habitats and population conditions in the context of ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The ecological security patterns (ESPs) were identified from the perspective of ecosystem services (ESs) supply-flow-demand. • This research linked the ecological and social systems through ESs supply–demand to promote regional ecological security management. • Identifying ecological sources solely through the high supply areas of ESs might not effectively meet the needs of human society. The ecosystem services (ESs) are the extremely important basis for the identification and optimization of ecological security patterns (ESPs). Nonetheless, the great majority of existing research on ESPs has concentrated on the ESs supply, ignoring the ESs demand and flow from social systems, which hinders the connection between ecological and social systems. Consequently, using remote sensing products, meteorological observations and statistical yearbooks and other multisource data, this study analysed supply–demand matching characteristics of ESs in the West Liaohe River Basin in China based on assessment of six key ESs from 2010 to 2020, including water yield, food production, livestock breeding, soil loss by water, soil loss by wind, and net primary production, identified the ESPs in combination with the perspective of ESs supply–demand, and discussed the ecological compensation scheme for ESPs construction based on the ESs flow. The research results indicated that the supply and demand of ESs within the study area was mismatched. Therefore, identifying ecological sources solely through the high supply areas of ESs might not effectively meet the needs of human society. By expanding the scope of alternative ecological sources and taking into account the distance between alternative sources and high demand areas, it was helpful to improve the rationality and scientificity of the identification of ESPs. There was a threshold effect in identification of ecological sources and extraction of ecological corridors, but there was no significant impact on overall spatial distribution of ESPs. The results of this research will help to promote the realization of the relationship between ESs and ESPs and better guide the development of regional socio-ecological coupling systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Taxonomic and functional alpha diversities increased from the wet to the dry season. • Taxonomic and functional beta diversities decreased from the wet to the dry season. • Alpha redundancy remains unchanged, while beta redundancy increased from the wet to the dry season. • Functional diversity and redundancy are affected by both top-down and bottom-up effects. Rotifers are one of the most important functional groups in lentic freshwaters, and mainly structured by predation or competition from crustaceans and food availability from phytoplankton. Their functional traits involving in defense and food utilization provides insights into the functional diversity and assembly of their communities. Tropical urban reservoirs are commonly subjected to intense fish culture and strong eutrophication, and rotifers become the dominant component of the zooplankton communities and play an important role in ecosystem functioning. Knowledge about the functional diversity and functional redundancy of rotifers is therefore of relevance for effective ecosystem management. In tropical reservoirs, we hypothesized that functional diversity and redundancy of rotifer communities are synergistically affected by top-down and bottom-up effects, and that they strongly change seasonally with environmental conditions at local scale as well as with connectivity between reservoirs at regional scale. To test these hypotheses, we investigated the seasonal dynamics of taxonomic and functional diversities in twenty-five tropical urban reservoirs. Traits of rotifers mainly associated with body size, feeding behavior, and defensive strategies were used to explore the drivers of functional diversity and functional redundancy. We found that, at the local scale, both taxonomic alpha and functional alpha diversities of rotifers increased from the wet to the dry season, whereas the functional alpha redundancy showed no significant change. Crustacean abundance (top-down effect) and phytoplankton biomass (bottom-up effect) were the dominant variables explaining the variation of taxonomic and functional alpha diversities. At the regional scale, both the taxonomic and the functional beta diversities of rotifer communities decreased from the wet to the dry season. However, functional beta redundancy increased, accompanied by a reduction in environmental distance, i.e., biological and physicochemical distance. Thus, weakened environmental heterogeneity and strengthened homogenization of biological selection resulted in a more similar functional trait composition than a more similar taxonomic composition between reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Building a research framework for cropland ecosystem services in major grain-producing regions from a production-living-ecology perspective. • Spatial pattern of various cropland ecosystem services and integrated production-living-ecology index in the Jianghan Plain. • Population density, nighttime light are the main driver factors for cropland ecosystem services. • Provide theoretical and technical support for optimization management of cropland ecosystems. Exploring the spatial patterns and driving factors of cropland ecosystem services and the production-living-ecology are essential to implementing spatial zoning management and optimization, especially in major grain-producing regions. In this study, we first developed an evaluation system for evaluating the production-living-ecology of cropland ecosystem services in the Jianghan Plain (JHP). We then revealed the spatial patterns of various cropland ecosystem services and integrated production-living-ecology index based on multi-source data. Additionally, we employed the regionalization with dynamically constrained agglomerative clustering and partitioning algorithm (REDCAP) to delineate agricultural function zones. Finally, we used redundancy analysis to reveal the driving factors of each functional zone. Results indicated that (1) high habitat quality, soil retention, and carbon storage services exhibited spatial similarity in 2020, with the spatial pattern of high in the west and low in the east, water conservation services showed an opposite distribution pattern, while culture and recreation services of high value were concentrated in the northern part, and high grain production was observed in the southern region. Overall, the production-living-ecology index displayed a north–south spatial distribution, with higher values in the north and lower values in the south. (2) based on the spatial zoning results of the production-living-ecology index, the six functional zones were identified, including zones of the production cropland, ecology cropland, ecology and living cropland, production and ecology cropland, production and living cropland and production-living-ecology cropland. (3) the production-living-ecology index and various ecosystem services were mainly influenced by population density, night light and evaporation in the JHP, and trade-offs were observed between the production function, and other functions as well as the production-living-ecology index in each functional zone of cropland ecosystems. The findings hold significant implications for the sustainable development of major grain-producing regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Assessment of ecosystems is normally based on current, not future conditions. • We use "longest timescale to recovery" to determine North Sea ecosystem status. • We demonstrate the impact of shifting baselines. • We discuss possible stakeholder impacts. • We find that a "recovery timescales" method can help managers in achieving GES. Ecosystem-based management is mandated by international legislation, including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) in the EU. This introduces a requirement for marine environments to achieve "Good Environmental Status" or GES, implying that the ecosystem is in a healthy and biodiverse state which does not limit the management options of future generations. Indicators of GES typically refer to the current or past state; however, an alternative approach that defines GES in terms of being able to recover to the appropriate reference unperturbed state within 30 years if human activities cease has been suggested. In this study we evaluate this "longest recovery timescales" (LRT) approach using the StrathE2E2 "big picture" model, an end-to-end ecosystem model designed to evaluate both top-down and bottom-up effects at an ecosystem level. We ask whether the approach is enough to prevent severe depletion as well as ensuring recovery at some future time. We also ask whether implementation is practical given uncertainties in defining appropriate baselines for recovery, defining what recovery looks like relative to this baseline, and taking account of natural variability. We find that the main issues with implementation of LRT are a) defining the appropriate baseline for recovery in a changing environment, and b) ensuring that there is stakeholder acceptance of any recommended actions in the event that they differ substantially from current policy. Subject to these two issues, we conclude that the LRT method is a valuable addition to management in support of achieving GES alongside existing methods that focus on current or near-future states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The new assessment index could reflect the regional ecological security (RES) status. • RES included three basic characteristics: risk, health, and services. • The multidimensional characteristics of RES had spatial heterogeneity and dependence. • Various drivers impacted the multidimensional characteristics of RES differently. • Main tasks to ensure RES: control urban expansion and enhance vegetation cover. Watershed ecological security (ES), which is fundamental to regional sustainable development, consists of ecological risk (ER), ecosystem health (EH), and ecosystem services (ESs). It remains unclear how to describe the status of regional ES by integrating the three key characteristics, and little is known about the differences among the factors driving ER, EH, ESs, and ES. Here, we established an integrated assessment system of regional ES based on the cause–effect relationship of ER, EH, and ESs. We quantified the ES characteristics in the Huaihe River Basin of China in 2020 and pinpointed the factors (i.e., natural environment, urbanization, accessibility) driving their spatial differentiation using the Geodetector model. Results showed that: (1) in the study area, ER and EH were at the average level, and ESs and ES were at the high level. (2) ER, EH, ESs, and ES had positive spatial correlations (Moran' I > 0.60), with ER and EH having the strongest spatial dependence. (3) Natural environmental factors predominantly influenced ER, EH, and ESs. Slope was the primary driver for ER and ESs (q -value = 0.492 and 0.395, respectively), and vegetation coverage was the major driver for EH (q -value = 0.506). (4) ES was mainly influenced by urbanization factors, the proportion of construction land area exhibiting the highest explanatory power (q -value = 0.751), and the interaction with vegetation coverage being the strongest (q -value = 0.836). This study provides new ideas and methods for the assessment of regional ES, and holds positive implications for the protection and management of regional ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • ES decreased from southeast to northwest in the Qilian Mountain. • As the spatial resolution decreases, the ES scale becomes finer. • The most significant tradeoff is water conservation - carbon storage. • The finer the grid scale, the lower the correlation between ES. • The driving force of landscape index on ES is greater than than other factors. A crucial challenge in ecosystem management is the identification of trade-off effects among multiple ecosystem services (ESs), particularly in complex and ecologically vulnerable mountainous protected areas. Nevertheless, investigations into the spatio-temporal dynamics of trade-offs and synergies among ES within such protected regions remain limited. This study concentrated on the Qilian Mountain, a critical ecologically fragile protected area, utilized the Invest model to comprehensively analyze six ESs over the period 1985–2020. Employed Pearson correlation coefficient, we scrutinized trade-off and synergy relationships of these ES across varying grid scales (30 m, 1 km, and 10 km). Furthermore, GeoDetector, in tandem with multi-source data, is employed to unveil the potential drivers influencing the patterns of ES. Our findings revealed that: (1) Increasing data spatial resolution refines grid scales, yielding smoother spatial distributions of ES, and accentuates spatial disparities. (2) Synergistic relationships prevailed among protected area ES from 1985 to 2020, with correlations between carbon storage - water yield and habitat quality - water yield shifted from synergy to trade-off in 2015. (3) Distinct grid scales exert non-linear impacts on ES correlations, affecting both the magnitude and direction of these relationships. (4) Interactions among natural factors, climate, and landscape patterns are principal drivers of spatial heterogeneity in ES, with the contributions of dominant drivers exhibiting temporal variability. Remarkably, factors with stronger driving forces demonstrate greater temporal instability in their contribution rates. Our research underscores the necessity for comparative assessments of ES and their interrelations at diverse data spatial resolutions, advocating for enhanced ES management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Four key ecosystem services were quantified over long time series in the QL. • The threshold points of ESs for TEM and FVC were 13.2 °C and 57.0%. • The critical points of high ESs supply for TEM, PRE, and FVC were 11.04 °C, 840 mm, and 65.4%, respectively. • The sensitive areas were mainly distributed at lower elevations of the QL. • The areas with a high ecosystem service supply were mainly distributed in the hinterland of the QL. Ecosystem services (ESs) have been widely used in the management and protection of regional ecosystems. Among the numerous influencing factors, climate and vegetation are important factors affecting ESs. Nevertheless, unraveling the intricate and non-linear relationship between ESs and the fluctuations in climate and fractional vegetation cover (FVC) remains an elusive task, particularly within the intricate and dynamic context of mountainous terrains. Therefore, the Qinling Mountains (QL) was selected as the study area, four major ESs (habitat quality, water yield, carbon sequestration and soil conservation) were quantified, and two key points (threshold point and critical point of high ESs supply) were determined by elastic analysis and constraint line respectively. The results showed that the influence thresholds of temperature and FVC on ESs were 13.2 °C and 57%, respectively. The results of constraint line showed that ESs is maintained at a high level when the temperature < 11.04 °C, the precipitation > 840 mm, and the FVC > 57%. According to the threshold points and critical points of high ESs supply, sensitive areas and high ESs supply areas were divided respectively. In addition, based on the above two regional divisions, we obtained an ecosystem management planning map of the study area and put forward corresponding practical suggestions for different regions. This study satisfies the docking of the research results and practical decision-making requirements and provides a theoretical scientific basis for the restoration and sustainable management of ecological environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ecological suitability methodologies for estuarine habitats are presented. • Habitats for ecologically and socially important species are characterized. • Ecological and social weighting factors are developed and applied. • Results can be reported for defined spatial units and at the estuarine scale. • Ecological suitability measures can inform cumulative restoration assessments. Ecosystem management requires a systematic, holistic approach that considers ecological and social outcomes. Effective restoration practices promote a balance of ecological and social goals by addressing ecological integrity, efficiently maximizing benefits while minimizing investment, and encompassing collaborative stakeholder engagement. Socio-ecological assessments can inform adaptive management and be utilized to prioritize restoration activities and monitor restoration effectiveness. In estuarine systems, socio-ecological assessments should evaluate the ability of habitats to support both ecologically and locally important species. The composite measure presented utilizes a combination of ecological and social measures to characterize ecological suitability for individual and multiple Gulf of Mexico estuarine species. The ecological suitability value (ES) for a given spatial unit is based on a suite of biophysical measures of the quality and extent of suitable habitat for each species, the species' trophic importance in a food web context, and the importance of each species in relation to stakeholder values and benefits. ES values for individual spatial units can be aggregated to estimate the distribution of ecological suitability at the estuarine scale. The ES values are calculated using examples for each step in the process. The information provided by ecological suitability characterizations can support restoration prioritization decisions for Gulf of Mexico estuaries and can provide a baseline measure to gauge restoration effectiveness over time to inform cumulative restoration assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A general framework for predicting flow and biodiversity changes under future climate change is proposed. • Discharge is consistently on the rise, reaching a maximum in the late 21st century. • Hydrological regimes change significantly and integrated degree of hydrological variation will reach a moderate level. • Shannon Index values show increasing trends and fluvial biodiversity is improved. Scientific evaluation of the eco-hydrological regimes is of great significance for water resource management and aquatic ecosystem protection. The paper took the western route source areas (WRSA) of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) as the research region. In order to quantify climate-induced eco-hydrological effects, a general framework was proposed to predict changes in flow regimes and fluvial biodiversity under climate change: The coupling of Global Climate Models (GCMs) and the Distributed Time Variant Gain Model (DTVGM) was used to simulate discharge under different climate conditions. Based on Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA), changes in eco-hydrological regimes were evaluated by using the Range of Variability Approach (RVA), assessment of overall hydrological change degree (D 0), and Shannon index (SI). Changes in discharge, flow regimes, and fluvial biodiversity of WRSA were analyzed during the projected period (2041–2100) compared to the base period (1960–2014). According to the projections, under four SSPs-RCPs scenarios, the future discharge of WRSA increases significantly compared to the base period. D 0 of WRSA is moderately or severely changed, and hydrological changes are mainly reflected in high flows such as monthly median flows during flood season, maximum flows, and high pulse duration. While flow regimes are disturbed, SI values of WRSA keep rising and the biodiversity is improved. The increase of discharge and SI becomes progressively greater with elevated radiation intensity, and the quantity of severely altered indicators of IHA increases. In conclusion, future hydrological alterations in SNWDP are expected to further intensify with higher levels of climate change, and these changes are generally conducive to the improvement of fish biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• ESs and EFZs under different scales were assessed. • The spatiotemporal changes in ESs were broadly similar at different scales. • The spatiotemporal distribution of the EFZs varied at different scales. • Natural factors had greater impacts on the formation of EFZs at both two scales. • This study provides a theoretical basis for the zoning management of QPES. Ecological functional zones (EFZs) are crucial components of ecosystem management that maintain the sustainability of ecosystems. Clarifying EFZs and their driving factors can inform the management of regional ecosystems. This study analyzed the dynamic changes of four ecosystem services (ESs) on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau ecological shelter (QPES) at different scales in 2000 and 2015: water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), net primary productivity (NPP), and habitat quality (HQ). The K-means clustering algorithm was applied to classify EFZs, then the geographic detector model was used to reveal the driving factors for the formation of EFZs at different scales. The results demonstrated a decrease in WY and SC and an improvement in NPP and HQ in the QPES. The ecological regulating functional zone (E1), ecological supply functional zone (E2), and ecological supporting functional zone (E3) were classified based on the ESs that dominated the different areas. E1 was based primarily on NPP, E2 was based on WY, and E3 on HQ. The areas of E1 and E2 expanded and E3 decreased at the 1 km scale; while E1 expanded, E3 decreased and E2 remained unchanged at the county scale. Precipitation and the normalized difference vegetation index were the most important driving factors affecting the formation of EFZs either at the 1 km scale or the county scale. Socioeconomic factors were also major driving factors of EFZs formation at the county scale, and all driving factors except gross domestic product had greater explanatory power in 2015 than in 2000. This study offers scientific justification for multiple-scale sustainable management in the QPES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Establishing a food web dynamic model applying ecological restoration. • Considering abiotic factors and whole species interaction in ecological network. • Coupling significant parameters in ecological restoration practices. Aquatic ecosystem restoration is a crucial aspect of ecological management. However, current research tends to concentrate on single factors, such as water quality or biodiversity, rather than ecological restoration strategies based on the characteristics of an ecological network system. Due to the large number of parameters to be considered, the latter approach presents still full of challenges in practical implementation. This study introduces a food web dynamic model that can guide and facilitate aquatic ecological network restoration. The model calculates the network-based interaction relationships of species in the food web, predicting the changes in ecosystem structure and function. We test our food web model by conducting a case study. The food web considered 9 kinds of species nodes, 12 links, and 1 uncertain predator–prey interaction. Our model simulations presented a strong correlation with the measured data (R2 = 0.837). We performed sensitivity analysis on 12 parameters and also conducted link prediction analysis, which revealed that there was no predator–prey relationship between species A and N (A + N = 0). By comparing population dynamics under 3 conditions, we determined that the mass reproduction of nonnative species and the population decline of native species were both related to indirect food web interactions. Finally, we comprised 27 scenarios, including fishing and stock enhancement approaches, to predict the potential restoration effects. The results showed that the fishing approach was more effective in removing alien species when the fishing frequency was shorter. It was also found that selecting catches and releasing native or endangered species back into the environment (F4, F5, F6, and F12) was necessary. On the other hand, the stock enhancement approach was concluded to be effective in increasing the number of native species as long as the frequency of enhancement was high (per 1 year, S1, S2, and S3). However, it was found to be challenging to rely on this approach to reduce the population of nonnative species. This research will enhance the previous studies in terms of (a) including whole species interactions in the ecological network; (b) considering the influence of abiotic factors, such as water quality, terrigenous carrying capacity, shoreline substrate, and hydrological connection in our model; and (c) coupling significant parameters in ecological restoration practices. This research will provide a valuable tool for managing aquatic ecological networks and decision-making suggestions for determining restoration schemes in complex aquatic food webs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A downscaling method to modify ESV by introducing LER was proposed. • Changes in LER and ESV in Nanjing City were consistent from 2000 to 2020. • Ecological restoration programs partially offset the impact of urbanization on ESV. • Water body dominated the ESV and had an important impact on change in ESV. • Proposed method will be valuable for sustainable ecosystem management. The scientific assessment of ecosystem service value (ESV) and landscape ecological risk (LER) is important for ecological security and sustainable development. However, existing studies often separate ESV and LER for a single evaluation, and the single evaluation is limited in guiding ecological conservation. Therefore, proposing an evaluation framework that integrates ESV and LER is urgent. Taking Nanjing City as an example, this study evaluated LER based on the risk evaluation cell and introduced it into ESV evaluation. Then, the influence of land use/land cover change on LER and ESV from 2000 to 2020 was analyzed. The results showed that built-up land and water body/wetland increased by 881.96 km2 and 41.41 km2, and farmland and forest land decreased by 875.46 km2 and 55.83 km2 from 2000 to 2020. The LER was low in the middle and high in the north and south. From 2000 to 2010, the LER increased from 0.67 to 0.68, and it then decreased to 0.61 in 2020. Medium-low risk regions decreased during 2000–2010, and low-risk regions increased and medium-high risk regions decreased during 2010–2020. The ESV increased by 0.77 billion United States dollars (USD) during 2000–2010 but decreased by 0.40 billion USD during 2010–2020. Under the impact of LER, the ESV per unit area of the farmland, forest land, and water body decreased during 2000–2020. The ESV of the water body dominated the total ESV and had an important influence on the change in total ESV. The ESV in Nanjing City during 2000–2020 mainly showed High-High autocorrelation and a few Low-High autocorrelations. Ecological restoration programs increased ESV during 2000–2010, but rapid urbanization reduced ESV during 2010–2020. Integrating social, economic, and ecological resources is necessary to realize the coordinated development of the economy and ecology. The results can provide an important reference for landscape planning and ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We explore the utility of social media and machine learning to fill gaps in mapping ecosystem services. • Social media provides a low-cost indicator for mapping cultural ecosystem services. • Machine learning improves data manipulation during ecosystem service mapping. • Variable importance in Random Forest identifies key pointers and indicators for mapping recreation. • Nature based recreation is related to environmental and landscape characteristics. Crowdsourced geotagged social media data and machine learning approaches have emerged as promising tools for mapping ecosystem services, especially cultural ecosystem services that are difficult to assess. Here, we use recreation to show how social media data, machine learning, and spatial analysis techniques can improve our understanding of human-nature interactions and the mapping of recreational ecosystem services. We extracted 80,500 photographs taken in non-urban areas of the Tahoe Central Sierra Initiative project area in California between 2005 and 2019 that were posted to the photo sharing application Flickr and used these as a proxy for recreational visits to the area. Automated image content analysis was used to identify the objects and concepts in the photographs and uncover the types of nature experiences that are important to visitors. Additionally, variable importance, a Random Forest machine learning technique, was used to examine the environmental and landscape variables that drive recreation in the area and to create a classification model that predicts the recreation potential of the entire area based on important variables. The automated image content analysis identified 1,239 unique labels linked to recreation, with mountains, hills, and rocks being the most prominent features (22%). Our Random Forest model indicates that vegetation cover, land cover, elevation, smoke days, and landscape features are major drivers of recreation in the area and are of interest to visitors in the area. The model predicted that 25.9% of the area has the potential to support recreational visits. Most of these recreation potential areas are in protected areas (77.8%), predominantly in conifer forests (66%) and within national forest boundaries, especially the Tahoe National Forest area (37.6%). These results show that recreational ecosystem services vary across landscapes and illustrate the need for improved mapping approaches to determine the provision of ecosystem services in different places. The analysis provides novel insights into the various ways social media data and machine learning techniques can be powerful components of ecosystem service research and how they hold great potential for monitoring and informing management interventions on ecosystem service provision, especially in places with limited traditional onsite visitation data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The spatial and temporal variation of ecosystem service value (ESV) was reflected. • Identifying key influencing factors of ESV by using Deep Forest model. • The PLUS model was used to simulate the future trends of ESV under five SSPs scenarios. The ecosystem services value (ESV) is an important basis for measuring ecological environment quality and efficient management of ecosystems. Although there have been many studies devoted to the measurement of ESV, the research on the key influencing factors of ESV and the prediction of future development scenarios is still limited. This study coupled the Deep Forest model and Patch-generating Land Use Simulation (PLUS) model to identify the key factors of ESV, and simulated the change trend of ESV under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). Taking the cluster cities around the Yellow River floodplain area as the research object, this study quantitatively analyzed the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of its ESV from 2000 to 2020, and identified the key factors affecting ESV using the Deep Forest model. The results showed that: (1) The ESV showed an overall upward trend from 2000 to 2020, with strong spatial heterogeneity; (2) The key factors affecting ESV were construction land ratio, distance to railway, SHDI, etc.; (3) The best development pathway of ESV in 2025, 2030 and 2035 would be SSPs5, SSPs2 and SSPs4 respectively. This study can provide theoretical support for the management of maximizing the overall benefits of ecosystem services in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Geo-informatic Tupu, Markov, and Barycenter models were used to analysis the spatiotemporal evolution. • ESV caused by LUCC showed a trend of increasing and then decreasing during 2000–2020, exhibiting a cumulative decrease. • Water areas and wetlands have contributed outstandingly to the ESV of Tianjin. • LUCC, NDVI, and DEM are the main ESV spatial heterogeneity factors. Revealing the spatiotemporal evolution of ecosystem service value (ESV) is a prerequisite for regional ecosystem management. This paper integrates the Geo-informatic Tupu method, the Markov transfer model, and the Barycenter model to propose an analytical method for the spatiotemporal response of ESV to land use/cover change(LUCC). Taking Tianjin as the empirical study area, we estimated its ESV and spatiotemporal transfer, rise and fall changes, and migration of the barycenter. The results showed that: (1) The land use composite index of Tianjin increased, and land use changes tended to level off throughout the study period. (2) From 2000 to 2020, ESV rose and then fell, with a total decrease of 8.03 billion RMB. (3) The change of Tupu is most dramatic in Xiqing, Binhai New Area, and Dongli, where economic and social growth is rapid. The barycenter of transfer Tupu shifts from centralized distribution to decentralized distribution around Dongli, and the ESV tends to increase to the south. (4) LUCC, NDVI, and DEM mainly drive the spatial heterogeneity of ESV in Tianjin. This research offers new insights into the spatiotemporal evolution analysis of ESV and could provide scientific references for regional ecological management and policy formulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Greater effects of topography on grassland were found in the dryer years. • Grassland in top area is rain-fed but relies on soil water in bottom area. • Moderate rainfall events were more beneficial to grassland in semi-arid area. Water is the primary limiting factor for grassland vegetation in dryland regions. Topography is considered to play an important role in the distribution of soil moisture, which will significantly affect grassland ecosystems. To examine the response of soil water content (SWC) and aboveground biomass (AGB) of grassland vegetation to precipitation patterns and topography, a 6-year investigation was conducted during the period from 2012 to 2017 in a semiarid steppe of Inner Mongolia, China. The study area was divided into three parts based on the landscape position, i.e., top area (TA), slope area (SA) and bottom area (BA). The results suggested that SWC and AGB would be significantly affected by topography and precipitation patterns. A significant negative relationship was found between the SWC and the altitude of the sampling sites. In the dryer years (2013–2017), the AGB of the BA was significantly higher than that of the SA and TA. However, a non-significant difference was found for the AGB values between the three landscape positions in the wetter year (2012). During the growing season, variation of AGB and SWC was similar in 2014 but differed in 2015. AGB exhibited a significant positive relationship with SWC above a minimum value. Precipitation significantly affected the AGB of grassland, and moderate rainfall events were more effective than light rainfall events for grassland vegetation. Moreover, the distribution of species varied in different areas, which may result in the differences in the responses of AGB to soil moisture and precipitation. This study clarifies the effects of micro-topography on soil moisture and grassland ecosystems at a local scale in dryland regions, which provides useful information for grassland ecosystem management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Developing a measurement to quantify vegetation diversity at large spatial scales. • Integrating resistance and resilience into one indicator to estimate stability. • Ecosystem stability varies dramatically with elevations and vegetation types. • Vegetation diversity can enhance ecosystem stability at large spatial scales. The unprecedented climate change over the past decades is likely to have ubiquitous and profound impacts on ecosystems. Assessing the vegetation response and ecosystem stability to climate variability is of great importance for developing more sustainable strategies in ecosystem management. Different types of vegetation respond to climate disturbances in various ways and the insurance hypothesis states that biodiversity is able to improve ecosystem stability, so there is a compelling need to further test whether diversity of vegetation composition could increase stability at large scales. In this study, we estimated the response of stability in a comprehensive and accurate metric of the ecosystem to short-term climate anomalies by combining resistance and resilience using an autoregressive modeling method in the Taihang Mountains, an important geographical demarcation line in north China. Our results showed that ecosystem stability differed dramatically with elevations and vegetation types. Mid-elevation zones at the altitude between 500 and 2000 m were particularly stable. However, high-elevation zones (above 2000 m) and low-elevation zones (below 500 m) were comparatively vulnerable. Trade-offs between resistance and resilience were widely observed and stability was largely determined by resilience, especially for ecosystems lied below the elevation of 2000 m. Among all vegetation types, steppes and shrubs were much more stable under climate fluctuations. In contrast, broad-leaf forests had the lowest stability, which was only higher than the cultivated crops. Stability was significantly correlated with the diversity of vegetation composition, a confirmation of insurance effects at large spatial scales. This implies that the vegetation diversity at large spatial scales can enhance the ability of ecosystems to maintain stabilization under climatic fluctuations or recover quickly from climate disturbances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Regression trees and classification techniques identified environmental indicators of stream flow at ungagged locations. • Nine out of 77 variables found with higher predictive potential of stream flow. • The predictors were accurate in estimating general annual trends of stream flow. • The nine indicators were less accurate when estimating stream flow by month. The aim of this study is to test a spatially explicit statistical model to identify indicators of natural stream flow using readily available stream, climate and landscape data. Understanding flow behavior of unmonitored streams at different temporal scales using environmental indicators is of great interest considering the logistic constraints of providing comprehensive flow instrumentation for all stream reaches in a region. Our results have applications to assess human impact in watersheds, to study environmental changes in fresh water resources, and in the management of local ecosystem. This study uses classification and regression tree analysis to identify significant explanatory variables for a predictive model of stream flow in semi-arid watersheds of southern California, USA. The study collected 77 variables with 30 years record, for a set of 48 sites, interpolated to create raster files at 30 m spatial resolution. After applying Pearson correlation analyses to eliminate redundant variables, nine variables were found to have strong positive predictive value for estimating stream flow at ungauged sites. Nine prediction rasters portraying spatial variation of stream flow for the study region at three key index months during wet, dry, and average rainfall conditions. The predictive power of the variables was tested and cross validated over a subset of data not included when building the model. Model validation by site at monthly temporal resolution showed mixed results. While some sites where accurately predicted others did not. The comparison of observed vs predicted values by month suggest that this statistically based approach is able to predict the general patterns of stream flow at the regional scale, however it may be inaccurate in estimating actual flow values by month since the models tends to under-predict monthly discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A complexity based conceptual framework to manage marine ecosystems is proposed. • 6 metals were determined (2005 → 2012) in two mollusks/seawater → Beagle Channel. • Control charts → metal distribution in the biomonitors among 7 sites (BC) is not univocal. • Excepting Cd, 5 mean metal levels were quite constant over time (2005 → 2012) • The obtained baseline metal levels (except Cd) → useful for environmental management. In this study we propose a conceptual framework, i.e. the Monitoring Breakdown Structure (MBS) as a tool for the management of marine ecosystems. The conceptual framework thinks through the complexity of marine ecosystems keeping into account the variety (space) and variability (time) dimensions. Consistently with the MBS we have built the control charts of trace metal concentrations of two selected biomonitors in the Beagle Channel (south Patagonia) (case study). Thus, we have tested the aptitude of two species of mollusks as biomonitors of heavy metal (HMs) pollution. The selected species were the limpet Nacella (P) magellanica and the bivalve Mytilus chilensis. Seven hundred eighty-five samples were collected along 170 km of the coastal area of the Beagle Channel (BC), (Tierra del Fuego, Argentina) in seven selected georeferenced locations and four sampling campaigns (2005, 2007, 2011, 2012). Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn determinations in seawater and mollusks by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) were carried out. The calculation of the respective concentration factors (CFs), i.e. their capacity as strong bioaccumulators, was also conducted. This is of relevance because it aims to use these data as a baseline reference for other geographical areas. Second, we have compared metal bioaccumulation differences among sites and the contamination trend by building, for the first time, the control charts of the baseline metal concentrations in the biomonitors. For these purposes, we applied probabilistic Johnson's method. Furthermore, the control charts (based on four years baseline data) allowed us to test the contamination trend by plotting data from 2012 vs 2011. Our results confirm N. magellanica as an extremely strong accumulator of Cd, and M chilensis strong bioaccumulator of Cd and Zn. Zn was the most abundant metal followed by Cu. Overall, regarding the contamination trend, based on thousands of determinations we observed that the six mean metal levels were quite constant over time. Moreover, metal distribution among sites turned out to be not univocal (no one site is more contaminated than the other sites). Thus, the expected hypothesis of Ushuaia Harbour as being the most contaminated site should be reconsidered. This reinforces the hypothesis of our data as baseline data (except for cadmium), that should be considered in management decisions about future environmental monitoring programs, i.e. preventing/managing marine accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Late stage forest supplied higher overall and more evenly distributed ES benefits. • Magnitudes of trade-offs between paired ESs changed with restoration stages. • The beneficiary in several paired trade-offs changed along the restoration gradient. • Tree functional groups are important to ES trade-offs and ecosystem management. Secondary forests have received more attention in recent decades because their total area is increasing and the greater recognition of ecological and economical benefits provided by forest ecosystems. Therefore, the Chinese government has given high priority to implementing its Natural Forest Program that includes the restoration of degraded secondary forests. Hence, how ecosystem services (ESs) and their trade-offs are altered during the restoration process of secondary forests merits research. Here, we selected five key ecological indicators of forests, namely plant diversity and four ESs—air quality regulation, maintenance of soil fertility, global climate regulation, and timber provisioning—to examine the trends and patterns in the variation of multiple indicators and their trade-offs during forest restoration. Furthermore, secondary forests in subtropical China are characterized by a diverse tree species community that transitions from conifers in the early stage of restoration, to deciduous broadleaf and evergreen broadleaf species in its mid and late stages; this provides an excellent opportunity to investigate the influences of different tree functional groups on ESs and the trade-offs among them. Our results showed that late-forest had a greater capacity to supply higher and more evenly distributed benefits of ESs than did early or mid-stage restored forests. We also found that the magnitude of trade-offs between paired ESs changed with the stage of restoration. Furthermore, the variation of the beneficiary in critical trade-offs corresponded to the patterns of change in benefits of specific ESs. Trade-offs between plant diversity and other ESs were significantly influenced by tree functional group, in that the deciduous broadleaved species had significant positive effects whereas the conifer and evergreen broadleaved species had negative effects. We conclude that accurate prediction and management of ESs in restoration forests should explicitly account for tree functional groups, in addition to the effects from combined trade-offs among multiple ESs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]