Search

Sustainability has become an indispensable core consideration when nations formulate their development policies. This study delves into the dynamic correlations between ecosystem services (ESs) and localized Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a typical hilly region in southern China. Various ESs were computed using the InVEST model, while spatial econometric models were employed to assess ES responses to SDG targets at the county, sectoral, and overall spatial levels. The findings revealed the following. (1) From 2005 to 2020, there were differences in the development rates of various SDG targets in Ganzhou. Except for SDG 15, which declined, the development of the other targets showed an overall increasing trend. The development of the various SDG targets was relatively balanced, but SDG 9 and SDG 7 had the highest growth rates, ranging from 9.4% to 10.7% and 9.4% to 10.3%, respectively. The comprehensive SDG assessment index exhibited significant spatiotemporal variation, with a general trend of higher values in the north and lower values in the south. (2) The local ES showed a delayed response to SDG 1 and SDG 2, but there was a significant positive response to SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 6, SDG 8, and SDG 9. However, responses to SDG 7, SDG 11, SDG 13, and SDG 15 showed regional differences. This study not only provides valuable insights for sustainable development in Ganzhou and other regions of China but also offers Chinese perspectives and experiences that may inform global efforts towards SDG implementation. This study fills the gap in existing research by constructing a localized SDG indicator system and quantifying each SDG indicator, further exploring the response of the ES to each SDG in the region. Looking ahead, we anticipate further research to deepen the understanding of the relationship between ESs and SDG targets on a broader geographical scale and over longer timeframes, aiming to provide a more robust scientific foundation for building a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid progress in urbanization and economic development, the impact of land use change (LUC) on ecosystem services is becoming increasingly significant. However, the accuracy of ecological risk assessment faces challenges due to the presence of uncertainty factors. Using the PLUS model, this study aims to simulate and predict land use changes (LUCs), focusing on the southern hilly regions in southeastern China as a case study, conducting an in-depth assessment of ecological risk uncertainty. Firstly, a spatiotemporal simulation of LUCs in the southern hilly region from 1990 to 2030 was conducted under multiple scenarios. Subsequently, differences in the spatial and temporal distribution of ecosystem service value (ESV) across different years and forecast scenarios in the southern hilly region were revealed, followed by a detailed analysis of the impact of LUCs on ESV. Finally, by calculating the Ecological Risk Index (ERI), the study systematically analyzed the evolution trend of ecological risk in the southern hilly region of China from 1990 to 2030. The main research findings are as follows: (1) the conversion proportions of different land use types vary significantly under different scenarios. Compared to 2020, under the 2030 National Development Scenarios (NDSs), there has been a slight decrease of around 3% in the total conversion area of farmland, forest, and grassland. However, under the Ecological Protection Scenario (EPS) and Urban Development Scenario (UDS) scenarios, there has been an increase in the area of forest and grassland, with a rise of approximately 1.5% in converted built-up land. (2) Western cities (e.g., Yueyang and Yiyang), central cities (e.g., Jiujiang), and northeastern cities (e.g., Suzhou) of China exhibit a relatively high ESV distribution, while ESV significantly decreased overall from 2010 to 2020. However, under the EPS and UDS, ESV shows a significant increasing trend, suggesting that these two scenarios may play a crucial role in ecosystem restoration. (3) The conversion of forest and water bodies to farmland has the most significant inhibitory effect on ESV, especially during the period from 1990 to 2000, providing substantial data support for relevant policy formulation. (4) From 1990 to 2030, ecological risk gradually increased in western, central, and southwestern cities of the southern hilly region, with the highest ecological risk values under the EPS scenario in northern cities (e.g., Chizhou and Tongling). Under the UDS scenario, there has been a significant decrease in ecological risk, providing valuable insights for future ecological conservation and sustainable development. However, a limitation lies in the need for further enhancement of the scenario's simulation authenticity. This study offers a new perspective for understanding the impact of LUCs on ecosystem services and the uncertainty of ecological risks, providing crucial reference points for land resource management and the formulation of ecological conservation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid economic development and accelerated urbanization have seriously affected the development of traditional ethnic villages in China. We used the minimum cumulative resistance (MCR) model based on land use, landscape pattern, and ecosystem service value (ESV) to evaluate the spatio-temporal dynamics of sustainable development in Hani traditional ethnic villages from 1995 to 2020. By analyzing changes in sustainability indicators in the Hani area and different buffer zones, this paper aims to assess the impact of ethnic villages in the Hani Area on sustainable development and provide recommendations for the sustainable development of traditional ethnic Hani villages. The results indicated that: (1) The area of construction land and landscape fragmentation in the Hani area significantly increased and the value of ecosystem services and levels of sustainable development decreased each year during the study period; (2) The area of cropland in the 2 km buffer zone of the traditional ethnic villages increased, the degree of landscape fragmentation, the value of ecosystem services, and the level of sustainable development were lower than in the 4 km buffer zone during the study period. This is due to population increases in traditional ethnic Hani villages, as well as the intensive reclamation of cropland, increased construction land, and landscape fragmentation. We suggest that the Hani should implement scientific land planning and management policies to protect the local ecosystem and realize the sustainable development of traditional ethnic Hani villages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying the impact of large-scale ecological projects, such as the Grain-for-Green Program (GGP), on ecosystem services (ES) is currently a frontier and hot topic of ecological research. The GGP can directly change land use and land cover, thus affecting ES. By comparing the changes of ecosystem service value (ESV) and ecosystem service scarcity value (ESSV) in Qinghai before and after the implementation of the GGP, this paper clarified the impact of the GGP on Qinghai from the angles of ecology and economics. This paper quantified and evaluated the land use dynamics, ESV, and ESSV in Qinghai from 1995 to 2020. The results showed that in the past 25 years, the total annual Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) of Qinghai showed a trend of sustained growth. From 1995 to 2020, the ESV increased by 6.80%. After considering supply and demand, the ESSV showed a continuous upward trend, increasing by 719.38%. After implementation of the GGP, the increase of NDVI inhibited the increase of the ESSV. These findings from evaluation of the effect of the GGP implementation provide a theoretical basis for future policy implementation and, in particular, a reference for the evaluation of the ESV and the ESSV in Qinghai. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Evaluated the spatio-temporal distribution of ecological risk under different scenarios on the QTP from 2000 to 2030. • Using the Sharpe ratio of future uncertainty to assess ecological risk. • Spatial heterogeneity in the ecosystem service values on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau under future scenarios. • Discussing the different impacts of uncertainty in integrated scenario-based risk assessment of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. As one of the world's critical ecological regions – often called the "Third Pole" – the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) has outstanding ecosystem service values (ESV). However, its variable climate and fragile environmental conditions make it vulnerable to disturbance by human activities. Based on land use data from 2000, 2010, and 2020, we developed three simulated scenarios of land use distribution on the QTP: business as usual (BAU), farmland protection (FP), and ecological protection (EP). Finally, we employed the Sharpe Index to evaluate ecological risk across the QTP. The results showed that from 2000 to 2020, land use change was mainly in the form of conversion of grassland to unused land, totaling an area of 63,717 km2. The ecosystem service value showed an increasing trend, from US$752.6 billion to US$783.0 from 2010 to 2020. The simulation results from the three scenarios revealed significant differences. Farmland area shows a declining trend in both the EP and BAU scenarios, while exhibiting an increasing trend in the FP scenario. Forest area on the plateau experiences a decreasing trend in the EP and BAU scenarios, but shows an increase in the FP scenario, predominantly in the southeastern region, including Sichuan and Yunnan provinces. The ecological risk assessment results indicate that the eastern region has higher ecological risk compared to the western region, highlighting the western region as a priority area for risk control. The expansion of built-up land and unused land has had significant impacts on regional ecological risk. Integrating risk assessment outcomes with land use planning to identify focal areas can provide guidance for the sustainable development of this globally important ecoregion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The scarcity value of ecosystem services (ES) was evaluated on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) by linking supply and demand. • The spatial heterogeneities of ES scarcity value and its response to urbanization were identified. • The surging demand for public-good ES contributed to a significant increase in scarcity value. • There was a spatial consistency between ES scarcity value and economic conditions during urbanization. As a result of the land degradation it causes, rapid urbanization can severely impact the form and function of the natural environment. Because of the limited availability of natural capital and the ecosystem services they provide in many regions, fluctuations in supply and demand should rigorously considered in decision-making. The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP) is a globally-important ecoregion that generates significant ecosystem services value. Focusing on the QTP, we calculated the value change in the supply of ecosystem services using a coefficient table and the change in demand based on population, GDP, and income elasticity. The impact of supply and demand on the scarcity value of ecosystem services (ESSV) was then compared across four representative scenarios. The results showed that the ESSV on the QTP rose considerably between 1990 and 2020, particularly between 2000 and 2010. Between 1990 and 2020, the public-goods services grew faster than private-goods services. The most important element impacting the ESSV was demand-driven scarcity. The level of urbanization gradually increased during 1990–2020, with a consistent distribution of high ESSV and high urbanization across the region. High-High types and Low-Low types had a significant aggregation effect, located primarily in the north and west of the QTP, respectively. The Low-High type was scattered along with the Low-Low type, indicating fragile ecological conditions that merit greater protection from land degradation. The degree of coupling reveals an increasing degree of synergy between ESSV and urbanization on the QTP, indicating potential for more synergistic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]