Abstract:
Objective The research on the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of ecosystem services and the identification of priority conservation areas in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region is of great importance for easing the conflict between regional economic development and ecological protection, and for achieving sustainable development.
Methods This study employed the NDVI ratio method, the InVEST model, and landscape metrics to quantify six key ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Delta region, including food production (FP), water yield (WY), carbon storage (CS), soil conservation (SC), habitat quality (HQ), and landscape aesthetics (LA). Spearman correlation was used to evaluate trade−offs and synergies among ecosystem services, and the Ecosystem Service Synergistic Benefit Index (ESSB) was introduced to reveal spatial heterogeneity. Seven conservation scenarios were constructed utilizing the Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) method, with optimal scenarios determined based on protection efficiency and trade−off values. The optimal scenario was identified by comparing conservation efficiency and trade−off values.
Results (1) The spatial distribution of ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Delta is uneven. High values of FP are mainly concentrated in the northern plains, while the other five services are primarily concentrated in the southwestern mountainous and hilly areas. From 2000 to 2020, FP and WY steadily increased, SC and LA initially declined and then increased, and CS and HQ continuously decreased. (2) FP exhibited significant trade−offs with other ecosystem services, whereas clear synergies existed among WY, CS, SC, HQ, and LA. (3) Scenario 4 provided the optimal comprehensive protection efficiency, effectively balancing ecosystem services.
Conclusions To improve ecosystem services and ecological security in the YRD, the region can be divided into three functional zones with targeted regulation and restoration measures.
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