Research on land-use evolution and ecosystem services value response in mountainous counties based on the SD-PLUS...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Urban Planning
• Ecology

Background:

• Rapid urbanization poses risks to ecosystems and reduces ecosystem services value (ESV).
• Understanding spatio-temporal land-use change and its impact on ESV is crucial for sustainable development in mountainous regions.
• Coordinating economic growth with ecological protection requires detailed analysis at local scales.

Purpose of the Study:

• To simulate land-use change scenarios and analyze their impact on ecosystem services value (ESV) in Qianshan city.
• To explore the spatio-temporal evolution of land use and ESV in a mountainous county.
• To provide insights for balancing economic development and ecological conservation.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the SD-PLUS model to simulate three land-use change scenarios (high, medium, low growth) from 2019 to 2035.
• Analyzed the spatial patterns of land-use change, identifying key influencing factors like roads and elevation.
• Quantified the impact of land-use change on ecosystem services value (ESV) across different scenarios and land types.

Main Results:

• Construction land significantly increased, while forest and water areas decreased across all scenarios.
• Construction land expansion was central in urban areas and sporadic in mountainous regions, with roads being the most influential factor.
• Overall ESV showed a downward trend, with water conservation and waste treatment services declining most significantly.

Conclusions:

• Land-use change driven by urbanization negatively impacts ecosystem services value, particularly in mountainous areas.
• The low-growth scenario demonstrated the least decline in ESV, highlighting the importance of controlled development.
• Findings offer technical guidance for promoting green development and balancing economic growth with ecological protection in similar regions.