[Connotation characterization and evaluation of ecological well-being based on ecosystem service theory.]

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Environmental Economics
• Sustainable Development

Background:

• China's focus on ecological civilization construction necessitates understanding ecosystem services and human well-being.
• Research on the link between ecosystem services and human well-being is crucial for theoretical and practical advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To define ecological well-being based on ecosystem service theory.
• To establish evaluation indicators for ecological well-being supply and consumption.
• To propose a method for evaluating the ecological well-being red line.

Main Methods:

• Defined ecological well-being using ecosystem service theory.
• Developed evaluation indicators referencing national economic accounting.
• Proposed a quantitative evaluation method for regional ecological well-being red lines using location quotient.
• Conducted an empirical evaluation for mainland China in 2012.

Main Results:

• Calculated net product values for six key ecosystems (cultivated land, forest land, grassland, wetland, water area, unused land).
• Observed distinct spatial heterogeneity in ecosystem net product values across provinces.
• Found that ecological well-being per capita for several ecosystems in eastern and middle provinces fell below the red line and national average.
• Identified a spatial distribution pattern of ecological well-being per capita, with high values in the northwest and low values in the southeast, influenced by population density and land resource endowments.

Conclusions:

• Ecological well-being varies significantly across China's provinces.
• Eastern and middle regions face ecological well-being deficits in key ecosystems.
• Population density and land resource distribution exacerbate spatial inequalities in ecological well-being.
• The findings provide a basis for regional ecological well-being management and policy formulation.