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Grasping how scale influences the interactions among ecosystem services (ESs) is vital for the sustainable management of multiple ESs at the regional level. However, it is currently unclear whether the actual ES interactions and their driving mechanisms are consistent across different spatial and temporal scales. Therefore, using the Lishui River Basin of China as a case study, we analyzed the spatial and temporal distribution of five key ESs across three scales (grid, sub-watershed, and county) from 2010 to 2020. We also innovatively used Pearson correlation analysis, Self-organizing Mapping (SOM), and random forest analysis to assess the dynamic trends of trade-offs/synergies among ESs, ecosystem service bundles (ESBs), and their main socio-ecological drivers across different spatiotemporal scales. The findings showed that (1) the spatial distribution of ESs varied with land use types, with high-value areas mainly in the western and northern mountainous regions and lower values in the eastern part. Temporally, significant improvements were observed in soil conservation (SC, 3028.23–5023.75 t/hm2) and water yield (WY, 558.79–969.56 mm), while carbon sequestration (CS) and habitat quality (HQ) declined from 2010 to 2020. (2) The trade-offs and synergies among ESs exhibited enhanced at larger scales, with synergies being the predominant relationship. These relationships remained relatively stable over time, with trade-offs mainly observed in ES pairs related to nitrogen export (NE). (3) ESBs and their socio-ecological drivers varied with scales. At the grid scale, frequent ESB flows and transformations were observed, with land use/land cover (LULC) being the main drivers. At other scales, climate (especially temperature) and topography were dominant. Ecosystem management focused on city bundles or downstream city bundles in the east of the basin, aligning with urban expansion trends. These insights will offer valuable guidance for decision-making regarding hierarchical management strategies and resource allocation for regional ESs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Ecology & Rural Environment is the property of Journal of Ecology & Rural Environment Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A thorough exploration of Ecosystem Services (ESs) and their intricate interactions across time and space is a prerequisite for the sustainable management of multiple ESs. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the ESs of the middle reaches of the Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration (MRYRUA) across multiple spatial and temporal scales, thereby enhancing ecosystem management and informed scientific decision-making. Specifically, this study employed the InVEST model, hot spot analysis, a geographically weighted regression model, and self-organizing feature mapping combined with K-means clustering to systematically quantify the spatiotemporal characteristics, trade-offs, synergies, and ecosystem service clusters of habitat quality (HQ), water yield (WY), carbon storage (CS), soil conservation (SC), and landscape aesthetics (LA) at grid and county scales from 2000 to 2020. The results revealed the following: (1) There was significant spatial heterogeneity among various ESs, with an overall spatial pattern exhibiting layered and interwoven variations. (2) Trade-offs predominantly characterized the relationships among ESs in the MRYRUA, with the absolute values of correlation coefficients mostly reaching their nadir in 2010. The interaction strengths between HQ and CS, and between CS and SC, increased with scale, while the relationships and strengths between LA and other ESs were less affected by scale changes. (3) At the grid scale, five types of ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) were identified, whereas at the district scale, four types of ESBs were delineated, including three common types: the WY–LA synergy bundle, Ecological transition bundle, and Key synergetic bundle, and three distinct types: the HQ–CS synergy bundle, Integrated ecological bundle, and Key synergetic bundle. The transitions of these ESBs over the 20 year period generally exhibited fluctuating evolutionary characteristics, with more pronounced fluctuations as the scale expanded. The results improve our comprehension of how ESs are related across various scales and provide theoretical and scientific references for multi-scale sustainable ecosystem zoning management and ecological environment governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing regional ecosystem stability and managing land resources effectively requires identifying ecological function zones and understanding the factors that influence them. However, most current studies have primarily focused on ecosystem service bundles, paying less attention to the trade-offs, synergies, and ecological sensitivity, leading to a more uniform approach to functional zoning. This study aimed to analyze and describe the spatial and temporal patterns of four essential ecosystem services, including water yield (WY), net primary productivity (NPP), soil conservation (SC), and habitat quality (HQ), in the Sichuan-Yunnan ecological buffer area over the period from 2005 to 2019. Spatial overlay analysis was used to assess ecological sensitivity, trade-offs, synergies, and ecosystem service bundles to define ecological functional zones. Geographic detectors were then applied to identify the primary drivers of spatial variation in these zones. The findings showed a progressive improvement in ecosystem service functions within the Sichuan-Yunnan ecological buffer zone. Between 2005 and 2019, NPP, soil conservation, and water yield all demonstrated positive trends, while HQ displayed a declining trend. There was significant spatial heterogeneity and distinct regional patterns in ecosystem service functions, with a general decrease from southwest to northeast, particularly in NPP and HQ. Trade-offs were evident in most ecosystem services, with the most significant between WY and HQ and most in the northeast and east regions. Ecological sensitivity decreased from southwest to northeast. Regions with a higher ecological sensitivity were primarily situated in the southwestern region, and their spatial distribution pattern was comparable to that of high habitat quality. The spatial overlay analysis categorized areas into various types, including human production and settlement zones, ecologically vulnerable zones, ecological transition zones, and ecological conservation zones, accounting for 17.28%, 22.30%, 7.41%, and 53.01% of the total area, respectively. The primary environmental factor affecting ecological function zoning was identified as precipitation, while the main social variables were human activity and population density. This study enhances the understanding of ecological functions and supports sustainable development in the Sichuan-Yunnan ecological buffer area, offering important guidance for ecological zoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem services are fundamental for the sustainable management of urban environments, particularly in mining cities confronting unique socio-environmental complexities. This study explores the intricate interactions among ecosystem services in a representative mining city, focusing on the impact of mining activities. A novel approach is employed to introduce a comprehensive framework for scenario-based analysis of ecosystem services. Land use and ecosystem service values for 2050 were predicted under the following three scenarios: natural development, ecological protection, and farmland protection. Through the evaluation of four key ecosystem services, namely water yield, habitat quality, carbon storage, and soil conservation, ecosystem service bundles were identified, and the trade-offs and synergies among these bundles were explored. Moreover, ecosystem service bundles in the mining areas were analyzed compared to the region at large, underscoring how the mining of various mineral types distinctly influenced ecosystem services. The results showed a persistent decline in total ecosystem service values of the whole region during 2000–2020 due to the diminishing forest cover and the enlargement of farmland and impervious surfaces. Mining areas exhibited significant impacts, with the soil erosion bundle predominating. However, the soil erosion bundle significantly reduced in the granite, copper, and nickel mining areas. By 2050, total ecosystem service values are projected to slowly rise, except under the farmland protection scenario. The entire region is expected to be mostly occupied by the ecological vulnerability bundle. But the ecosystem vulnerability bundle of mining areas is projected to decrease, especially under the ecological protection scenario, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts. These changes will enhance the synergies between soil conservation and other ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying ecosystem service bundles and their long-term evolutionary characteristics is essential for the overall enhancement of regional ecosystem services, as well as the division and management of functional areas, providing a basis for decision-making in formulating ecological and environmental protection policies, as well as regional development planning. Based on land use, remote sensing, and meteorological data obtained from Anhui Province, this study assessed six important ecosystem service functions, including food production (FP), water yield (WY), carbon sequestration (CS), soil conservation (SC), habitat quality (HQ), and landscape aesthetics (LA), at the township scale in 2000, 2010, and 2020. On this basis, the k-means clustering method was used to identify ecosystem service bundles, analyze the spatio-temporal evolution trajectory of service bundles, and explore the driving factors of the spatio-temporal evolution of ecosystem service bundles using GeoDetector 2015 The results indicate the following: (1) At the spatial level, diverse ecosystem services demonstrate pronounced spatial differentiation. The distribution pattern of HQ, carbon fixation, and SC services is generally lower in the north and higher in the south, with areas of high value predominantly located in the western Dabie Mountains and the mountains of Southern Anhui. Conversely, FP services exhibit the reverse pattern, and WY services display a gradual increase from north to south, while cultural services are more dispersed, with areas of high value primarily located in the western Dabie Mountains, the Yangtze River Basin, and other locations. On the temporal scale, WY, SC, and FP services mainly exhibit an increasing trend, marked by a significant increase, whereas other services tend to present a decreasing trend. (2) Anhui Province can be categorized into four distinct types of service bundles: the grain production bundle (GPB), mountain ecological conservation bundle (MECB), urban living bundle (ULB), and core protection bundle (CPB). Ecosystem service bundles exhibit clear spatial differentiation, and identical service bundles demonstrate substantial clustering in space. Between 2000 and 2020, ecosystem service bundles displayed a marked spatio-temporal evolution, with the prevalence of GPBs diminishing, whereas the share of ULBs progressively increased, and the number of MECBs and CPBs remained largely stable. (3) In the spatio-temporal evolution process, the average annual precipitation, the proportion of forest land, and slope constitute the principal natural factors influencing the spatio-temporal evolution of ecosystem service bundles, while the proportion of construction land represents the primary socio-economic factor, with natural factors exerting a more significant influence than socio-economic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Karst landscapes, characterized by unique soluble geological features, provide essential ecosystem services (ESs). However, they are currently facing significant challenges due to rapid land use/land cover (LULC) changes. Research that combines LULC and karst lithological features with ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) is scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the future spatial distributions and landscape pattern features of ESBs in different lithological areas based on land use projections, and providing a basis for informing zoning land use planning and management. Firstly, multiple scenario simulations were conducted to project future land use changes in Huanjiang County, China. Next, based on the assessments of ESs and identification of ESBs, the correlations between LULC, ESBs, and landscape features in different lithological areas were explored. The results revealed the following: (1) a potential synergistic relationship between built-up land and ESB3, while a negative impact of transitioning from forest to cropland on ESB2; (2) the limestone area exhibited the highest overall split level of ESBs, while the non-karst area showed the greatest diversity, evenness, cohesion, and largest patches of ESBs; (3) the landscape heterogeneity of ESBs in different lithological areas was mainly reflected in split, cohesion, and division levels rather than aggregation. Finally, implications and site-specific suggestions for zoning land use planning and management in Huanjiang County were discussed.

Objective: To achieve sustainable ecosystem management, it is necessary to understanding the complex relationships among multiple ecosystem services (ESs), especially in alpine ecosystems of the Northern Hemisphere where ESs have undergone significantly degradation. Therefore, a comprehensive exploration must be performed, from multiple time and spatial scales and perspectives, into the relationships and spatio-temporal changes of different ESs under climate warming. Method: We selected the Daxing’anling forest area, Inner Mongolia (DFAIM), which is both a sensitive, alpine ecosystem and an important ecological barrier in northern China, as the study area. We analyzed the local and overall relationships among four key ESs, soil conservation, water yield, carbon storage and habitat quality, using multiple methods at different time and spatial scales in 2013 and 2018. Further, we used the K-means clustering to identify ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) at different scales, and we proposed sustainable management strategies to optimize the ESs in this alpine ecosystems. Result: The main findings were as follows: (1) Most ES pairs had very significant synergistic relationships, but their synergistic strength did not increase from 2013 to 2018. The high-high synergies were mainly concentrated in the central DFAIM, while trade-offs and low-low synergies were concentrated in areas with more human interference. (2) Trade-offs dominated the relationships among all four ESs, which were widely distributed and significantly increased over time. The high synergies among all ESs were concentrated in the central and southern parts, but they decreased significantly over time. (3) The optimal number of ESBs in the DFAIM was five in both 2013 and 2018, at both the grid-scale and the forest management unit-scale. The distribution of ESBs was more fragmented at the grid-scale, but was relatively aggregated at the forestry management unit-scale. Changes in ESBs at the forestry management unit-scale became more pronounced over time. Conclusion: The local relationships between ES pairs were moderated and synergistic, but became more competitive over time. The overall relationships of the four ESs were dominated by trade-offs, with a significant increase in trade-off effects over time. Therefore, we suggested using our proposed ESBs to optimize ES management. These results can guide the implementation of sustainable integrated management strategies to optimize ESs supply levels in alpine ecosystems.

In addition to their food security and ecological benefits, urban community gardens support human well-being in numerous non-material ways. In this paper, we investigate whether experience of these cultural ecosystem services (CES) shapes how gardeners choose to manage the garden ecosystem, which may influence the ability of these multifunctional green spaces to provide other local ecosystem services (ES). Using questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and plant community analysis, we assess the relationship between perception of CES by community gardeners, the management practices they utilize, and the agroecological characteristics of their garden plots, such as presence and prevalence of species that provide regulating and supporting ES. We find that while almost all survey participants report sociocultural benefits of gardening, experience of these CES varies significantly between gardeners, with garden structure influencing which group of benefits is most perceived. Experience of some CES was also correlated with local ecological knowledge and use of certain sustainable garden management practices, such as utilizing integrated pest management strategies and planting a wide variety of species, but not with observed non-provisioning plant agrobiodiversity. These results provide important insights into the complex role that CES play in encouraging environmental stewardship and shaping ecological outcomes in collectively managed urban green spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To achieve regional ecological management and sustainable socio-economic development, it is essential to comprehend the intricate and interdependent relationships among various ecosystem services. The Agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China is a typical ecologically vulnerable area. There is limited research on managing multiple ecosystem services to maximize supply based on understanding the complex relationships among ecosystem services. This study used the InVEST model to quantify habitat quality (HQ), soil conservation (SC), carbon sequestration (CS), and water yield (WY) in the Agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China in 2000, 2010, and 2020 at the 5 km grid and county scales. Their trade-off and synergistic effects were explored using Spearman correlation analysis and the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model. In addition, self-organizing mapping was employed to identify ecosystem service bundles at two scales, whereas the geodetector was employed to determine the primary social-ecological drivers of ES. Finally, management strategies are proposed based on the research results to promote regional ecological sustainability. The results indicate that: (1) The four ESs exhibited an increasing trend during the study period. Except for WY, the other three ES demonstrated a similar spatial distribution while remaining relatively stable over time; (2) there is a synergistic effect between CS, HQ, and SC, whereas WY-related ES show trade-off effects; (3) six ES bundles were identified at the 5 km grid scale, and four ES bundles were identified at the county scale; (4) precipitation is a major driving factor for WY and an important driving factor for CS, HQ, and SC. In summary, natural factors have a greater impact on ES than socio-economic factors. Based on the differences in ecosystem service bundles and drivers at different scales, and in conjunction with China’s existing environmental policies, corresponding ecological management strategies were proposed, potentially providing a reference for sustainable development of the Agro-pastoral ecotone in northern China.

Enhancing regional ecosystem stability and managing land resources effectively requires identifying ecological function zones and understanding the factors that influence them. However, most current studies have primarily focused on ecosystem service bundles, paying less attention to the trade-offs, synergies, and ecological sensitivity, leading to a more uniform approach to functional zoning. This study aimed to analyze and describe the spatial and temporal patterns of four essential ecosystem services, including water yield (WY), net primary productivity (NPP), soil conservation (SC), and habitat quality (HQ), in the Sichuan-Yunnan ecological buffer area over the period from 2005 to 2019. Spatial overlay analysis was used to assess ecological sensitivity, trade-offs, synergies, and ecosystem service bundles to define ecological functional zones. Geographic detectors were then applied to identify the primary drivers of spatial variation in these zones. The findings showed a progressive improvement in ecosystem service functions within the Sichuan-Yunnan ecological buffer zone. Between 2005 and 2019, NPP, soil conservation, and water yield all demonstrated positive trends, while HQ displayed a declining trend. There was significant spatial heterogeneity and distinct regional patterns in ecosystem service functions, with a general decrease from southwest to northeast, particularly in NPP and HQ. Trade-offs were evident in most ecosystem services, with the most significant between WY and HQ and most in the northeast and east regions. Ecological sensitivity decreased from southwest to northeast. Regions with a higher ecological sensitivity were primarily situated in the southwestern region, and their spatial distribution pattern was comparable to that of high habitat quality. The spatial overlay analysis categorized areas into various types, including human production and settlement zones, ecologically vulnerable zones, ecological transition zones, and ecological conservation zones, accounting for 17.28%, 22.30%, 7.41%, and 53.01% of the total area, respectively. The primary environmental factor affecting ecological function zoning was identified as precipitation, while the main social variables were human activity and population density. This study enhances the understanding of ecological functions and supports sustainable development in the Sichuan-Yunnan ecological buffer area, offering important guidance for ecological zoning.

Polish forests differ in their potential to provide ecosystem services (ES), but it is unclear how and to what extent. We assessed the potential of 35 forest habitat types to provide 17 key ES and showed that the montane mesic broadleaved forest has a high potential to provide the largest number of key forest services (14 out of 17), which gives it the status of a multi-service hotspot. The highest overall potential was found in the forests of mountain regions, slightly lower in the postglacial northern regions, and the lowest in the central lowland regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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.

Ecosystem services are fundamental for the sustainable management of urban environments, particularly in mining cities confronting unique socio-environmental complexities. This study explores the intricate interactions among ecosystem services in a representative mining city, focusing on the impact of mining activities. A novel approach is employed to introduce a comprehensive framework for scenario-based analysis of ecosystem services. Land use and ecosystem service values for 2050 were predicted under the following three scenarios: natural development, ecological protection, and farmland protection. Through the evaluation of four key ecosystem services, namely water yield, habitat quality, carbon storage, and soil conservation, ecosystem service bundles were identified, and the trade-offs and synergies among these bundles were explored. Moreover, ecosystem service bundles in the mining areas were analyzed compared to the region at large, underscoring how the mining of various mineral types distinctly influenced ecosystem services. The results showed a persistent decline in total ecosystem service values of the whole region during 2000–2020 due to the diminishing forest cover and the enlargement of farmland and impervious surfaces. Mining areas exhibited significant impacts, with the soil erosion bundle predominating. However, the soil erosion bundle significantly reduced in the granite, copper, and nickel mining areas. By 2050, total ecosystem service values are projected to slowly rise, except under the farmland protection scenario. The entire region is expected to be mostly occupied by the ecological vulnerability bundle. But the ecosystem vulnerability bundle of mining areas is projected to decrease, especially under the ecological protection scenario, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts. These changes will enhance the synergies between soil conservation and other ecosystem services.

Understanding the intricate interrelationships among ecosystem services (ESs) and exploring their driving mechanisms are prerequisites for their efficient management. The southwestern karst region is a typical ecologically fragile area and a crucial component for establishing an ecological security barrier in southern China. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between ESs and the concept of ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) and explore the distribution of ESs and their interrelationships. Using methods, such as Spearman's correlation and spatial autocorrelation analysis, this study focused on the karst peak-cluster depression region in southwestern China to analyse the trade-offs and synergistic effects among 12 ESs. Additionally, this study used the self-organizing map to identify ESBs and used the Random Forest model to explore the potential driving factors influencing the distribution patterns of ESs. The results indicated a spatial clustering effect among the 12 ESs, whereby provisioning and cultural services had the most significant clustering effect (Moran's I > 0.8). A total of 25 pairs of ESs exhibited synergistic effects, and 31 pairs showed trade-off effects. Food production showed a trade-off with both regulatory and supporting services, whereas ESs within the same category tended to exhibit synergistic effects. The distribution and interrelationships of ESs are influenced by natural and social factors, such as climate, topography, and human activities, resulting in the formation of six ESBs. This study enriches the understanding of the relationship of ESs and will contribute to the coordinated development of resources and the environment in the karst peak-cluster depression region of southwestern China.

Complex geographical environments and intensified human activities have induced significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity in ecosystem services (ESs) and their relationships worldwide, especially in agropastoral ecotones. Identifying the ecological and socioeconomic driving factors of the spatiotemporal dynamics of the relationships and bundles among multiple ESs is essential for effective agropastoral ecotone management and restoration. Herein, five key ESs, including water yield (WY), carbon sequestration (CS), sand fixation (SF), soil conservation (SC), and food production (FP), in the northern piedmont of the Yinshan Mountains (NPYM), a typical agropastoral ecotone, were quantified from 1990 to 2018. Ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) were identified by the K-means algorithm, and the trade-offs/synergies among the different ESs in each ESB were investigated using Spearman’s correlation analysis. Moreover, the main driving factors of the spatiotemporal dynamics of the ES relationships and ESBs were identified by the geographical detector model. Our results showed that the five ESs in the NPYM exhibited high spatiotemporal heterogeneity over the last three decades, with WY, SC and FP significantly improving over time but CS and SF slightly decreasing. Considering the ecological features and spatial distribution, the NPYM could be divided into four ESBs: the grassland protection bundle (GPB), desertification control bundle (DCB), agricultural production bundle (APB) and forest conservation bundle (FCB). Although trade-offs between WY and CS and synergy between SC and CS occurred in almost all ESBs, significant differences in the relationships between the other ESs were observed in the different ESBs. Generally, land use type was one of the dominant drivers of most ES relationships in all ESBs, especially in the APB. However, climate, vegetation and socioeconomic factors also played important roles in the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of various ES relationships in some bundles. Moreover, the substantial changes in the different ESBs over the last three decades were mainly due to climatic and socioeconomic factors. Overall, our results indicated that identifying the spatiotemporal heterogeneity and driving factors of ES relationships and ESBs could provide useful guidance for developing targeted zoning management strategies in agropastoral ecotones.

The degradation of ecosystem structure and function on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the result of a combination of natural and anthropogenic factors, with landscape change driven by global change and human activities being one of the major ecological challenges facing the region. This study analyzed the spatiotemporal characteristics of ecosystem services (ESs) and landscape patterns in eastern Qinghai province (EQHP) from 2000 to 2018 using multisource datasets and landscape indices. Three ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) were identified using the self-organizing map (SOM), and changes in ecosystem structure and function were analyzed through bundle-landscaped spatial combinations. The study also explored the interactions between ESs and natural and human factors using redundancy analysis (RDA). We revealed an increase in total ecosystem service in the EQHP from 1.59 in 2000 to 1.69 in 2018, with a significant change in landscape patterns driven by the conversion of unused land to grassland in the southwest. Forestland, grassland, and unused land were identified as important to the supply of ESs. In comparison to human activities, natural environmental factors were found to have a stronger impact on changes in ESs, with vegetation, meteorology, soil texture, and landscape composition being the main driving factors. However, the role of driving factors within different ESBs varied significantly. Exploring the response of ecosystem services to changes in landscape patterns can provide valuable insights for achieving sustainable ecological management and contribute to ecological restoration efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying ecosystem service bundles and their long-term evolutionary characteristics is essential for the overall enhancement of regional ecosystem services, as well as the division and management of functional areas, providing a basis for decision-making in formulating ecological and environmental protection policies, as well as regional development planning. Based on land use, remote sensing, and meteorological data obtained from Anhui Province, this study assessed six important ecosystem service functions, including food production (FP), water yield (WY), carbon sequestration (CS), soil conservation (SC), habitat quality (HQ), and landscape aesthetics (LA), at the township scale in 2000, 2010, and 2020. On this basis, the k-means clustering method was used to identify ecosystem service bundles, analyze the spatio-temporal evolution trajectory of service bundles, and explore the driving factors of the spatio-temporal evolution of ecosystem service bundles using GeoDetector 2015 The results indicate the following: (1) At the spatial level, diverse ecosystem services demonstrate pronounced spatial differentiation. The distribution pattern of HQ, carbon fixation, and SC services is generally lower in the north and higher in the south, with areas of high value predominantly located in the western Dabie Mountains and the mountains of Southern Anhui. Conversely, FP services exhibit the reverse pattern, and WY services display a gradual increase from north to south, while cultural services are more dispersed, with areas of high value primarily located in the western Dabie Mountains, the Yangtze River Basin, and other locations. On the temporal scale, WY, SC, and FP services mainly exhibit an increasing trend, marked by a significant increase, whereas other services tend to present a decreasing trend. (2) Anhui Province can be categorized into four distinct types of service bundles: the grain production bundle (GPB), mountain ecological conservation bundle (MECB), urban living bundle (ULB), and core protection bundle (CPB). Ecosystem service bundles exhibit clear spatial differentiation, and identical service bundles demonstrate substantial clustering in space. Between 2000 and 2020, ecosystem service bundles displayed a marked spatio-temporal evolution, with the prevalence of GPBs diminishing, whereas the share of ULBs progressively increased, and the number of MECBs and CPBs remained largely stable. (3) In the spatio-temporal evolution process, the average annual precipitation, the proportion of forest land, and slope constitute the principal natural factors influencing the spatio-temporal evolution of ecosystem service bundles, while the proportion of construction land represents the primary socio-economic factor, with natural factors exerting a more significant influence than socio-economic factors.

Ecological function zoning is an essential means of scientific management of ecosystems. According to the characteristics of ecological function zoning, implementing zoning control is conducive to the governance and protection of the ecological environment and the maintenance of ecological sustainability. This study was conducted with the Nansi Lake Basin as the cross-section for 2018. The Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs model was adopted to assess and measure five ecosystem services, including water yield, crop production, soil conservation, carbon storage and carbon sequestration, and habitat quality. The Self-Organizing Feature Maps neural network was applied to obtain the ecosystem service bundles, and then, the ecological function zones were divided. The results indicated that the overall spatial pattern of ecosystem services in the study zone showed a decreasing schema from east to west; There was a trade-off between supply services and support services and a synergy between supply services and regulatory services; according to the bundling results, the Nansi Lake Basin was divided into four ecological functional zones: the eastern ecological surplus zone, the central crop supply zone, the western ecological balance zone, and the lake habitat protection zone. The results showed that (1) the spatial distribution of various ecosystem services in the Nansi Lake Basin showed spatial heterogeneity and specific regional laws, showing a decreasing pattern from the east to the west as a whole, especially in soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and habitat quality. (2) According to the supply and spatial distribution of each ecosystem service, the Nansi Lake Basin was divided into four ecological functional zones: the eastern ecological surplus zone, the central crop supply zone, the western ecological balance zone, and the lake habitat protection zone. (3) For zone I, provisioning services and regulation services were in synergy. For zone II and zone III, the provisioning service had a trade-off relationship with the regulation service and the supporting service. For zone IV, supporting services were trade-offs not only with provisioning services but also with regulating services. In general, the trade-offs between ecosystem service in the Nansi Lake Basin were stronger than the synergies, and the overall benefits of ecosystem services were smaller. Relying on the perspective of the ecosystem service bundles, at the county level, this study provided an analysis of the trade-offs and synergies among ecosystem services in the Nansi Lake Basin, which helped formulate the management plan for the corresponding region and provided the appropriate recommendations for regional habitat conservation and restoration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem services (ESs) play an important role in sustainable landscape management. People value ESs in diverse ways encompassing social and ecological domains and we need to bring these different values together. We used social-cultural and biophysical methods to map a diverse set of ESs at two spatial scales in a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Norway. The ESs bundled into three distinct social–ecological system archetypes which were similar in their distribution and relative ES values at both spatial scales. The bundles were also well matched to relative ESs values of the Biosphere Reserve zones (core, buffer, and transition) indicating that the bundles capture the social–ecological systems of the zones. We argue that it is important to consider the social–ecological context of the zones to provide sufficient knowledge to inform management. Our work has the capacity to contribute to sustainable land management that takes biocultural values into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Prataculturae Sinica is the property of Acta Prataculturae Sinica Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Although the research framework of ecological function zoning is complex and diverse, there are not many spatially continuous zoning results, which can be effectively applied to watershed management practices. Ecosystem service bundles and trade-offs can identify interactions among multiple ecosystem services, and achieve better social-ecosystem management when applying to ecological function zoning. Taking the Dongjiang Lake Basin, China, as research area, the study used the InVEST model to investigate the trade-offs and synergies of ecosystem services at township and grid scales, respectively. Then, the study conducted ecological function zoning based on the bundles and trade-off intensity among ecosystem services. The results showed that food production showed extremely significant trade-offs with other services in the two scales, in which the trade-off intensity between food production and water purification was the largest, and the water areas were the hotspots of trade-off intensity. Based on the ecosystem service bundles at the township, combined with the trade-off intensity, the watershed was finally divided into four ecological functional zones, namely, agricultural product supply area (southern part in the study area), economic forestry area (northeast regions in the study area), water supply area (western areas of the study area), and forest conservation area (northern areas in the study area), accounting for 29.27%, 14.63%, 17.07%, and 39.03%, respectively. The study contributed to the ecological function maintenance and sustainable development in Dongjiang Lake Basin and provided an important reference in ecological zoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the effects of human modification on ecosystem services is critical for effectively managing multiple services and achieving long-term sustainability. The historical dynamics of ecosystem services are important for detecting the impacts before and after intensive modification and deserve further study. To this end, we quantified the spatiotemporal dynamics of 11 ecosystem services across the Sihu agricultural watershed in 1954, 1983, 2001, and 2018. We used the Spearman coefficient, self-organized maps clustering, and redundancy analysis to explore the spatial patterns and potential modification drivers of temporal variations of ecosystem service provision. The results revealed the following: (1) The spatial correlations among ecosystem services in a single year were inconsistent with the ecosystem service change associations during two-time steps. The snapshot correlations at one time led to misunderstandings (such as water yield and runoff control or soil carbon sequestration, and habitat quality changed direction from synergy to trade-off) and missed synergies (such as water purification and recreational potential); (2) Most ecosystem services could be synergetic in one bundle with multifunctionality before intensive modification, but later transformed to single or limited services dominated bundles, especially in lake-polder areas; (3) Lake reclamation and hydraulic infrastructure were the most significant modification indicators explaining the variation of ecosystem services (30.9% of variance explained by lake reclamation in 1954, 38.2% of variance explained by hydraulic infrastructure in 2018). Meanwhile, changes in dominant drivers also indicated the transition from lake-based ecosystem service supply to engineered service. An improved understanding of the spatiotemporal pattern of ecosystem services and the underlying human modification influence is vital for realizing the sustainability and multifunctionality of agricultural watershed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Relationships among multiple ecosystem services in alpine ecosystems were assessed across different time and spatial scales. • Ecosystem service bundles were fragmented at grid-scale but aggregated at forestry management unit-scale. • Five ecological zones provided new strategies for alpine ecosystem management. To achieve sustainable ecosystem management, it is necessary to understanding the complex relationships among multiple ecosystem services (ESs), especially in alpine ecosystems of the Northern Hemisphere where ESs have undergone significantly degradation. Therefore, a comprehensive exploration must be performed, from multiple time and spatial scales and perspectives, into the relationships and spatio-temporal changes of different ESs under climate warming. We selected the Daxing'anling forest area, Inner Mongolia (DFAIM), which is both a sensitive, alpine ecosystem and an important ecological barrier in northern China, as the study area. We analyzed the local and overall relationships among four key ESs, soil conservation, water yield, carbon storage and habitat quality, using multiple methods at different time and spatial scales in 2013 and 2018. Further, we used the K-means clustering to identify ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) at different scales, and we proposed sustainable management strategies to optimize the ESs in this alpine ecosystems. The main findings were as follows: (1) Most ES pairs had very significant synergistic relationships, but their synergistic strength did not increase from 2013 to 2018. The high-high synergies were mainly concentrated in the central DFAIM, while trade-offs and low-low synergies were concentrated in areas with more human interference. (2) Trade-offs dominated the relationships among all four ESs, which were widely distributed and significantly increased over time. The high synergies among all ESs were concentrated in the central and southern parts, but they decreased significantly over time. (3) The optimal number of ESBs in the DFAIM was five in both 2013 and 2018, at both the grid-scale and the forest management unit-scale. The distribution of ESBs was more fragmented at the grid-scale, but was relatively aggregated at the forestry management unit-scale. Changes in ESBs at the forestry management unit-scale became more pronounced over time. The local relationships between ES pairs were moderated and synergistic, but became more competitive over time. The overall relationships of the four ESs were dominated by trade-offs, with a significant increase in trade-off effects over time. Therefore, we suggested using our proposed ESBs to optimize ES management. These results can guide the implementation of sustainable integrated management strategies to optimize ESs supply levels in alpine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing ecological security patterns (ESPs) is the ecological basis for achieving sustainable regional development. This study explored a framework of spatially balanced ESPs suitable for rapidly urbanizing areas to address the issues of overreliance on ecological land and subjective parameter settings in traditional ESP construction methods. Three ecosystem service bundles (product supply, water conservation, and habitat maintenance) were identified in Guangzhou using the self-organizing feature map method. These bundles were then used to identify multifunctional sources. The minimum size of the ecological source was determined to be 10 km2 through the "structure-pattern-function" framework, and a total of 19 ecological sources from three ecological functions were extracted. In these three scenarios, the 102 ecological corridors were classified into five categories based on their connected sources. Ecological node parameters were set based on local planning and dominant species characteristics, enhancing the explanatory power of the circuit theory. The multi-scenario ESP framework proposed in this study achieved a spatially balanced distribution of the entire region at the point, line, and surface levels, as confirmed by the ecological network assessment results. Future planning in Guangzhou should value the ecological functions of non-conventional ecological land, such as cropland and urban green spaces, while considering the impact of human activities on the environment and promptly modifying crucial node areas. • Multi-scenario settings were defined by SOFM-based service bundles. • The minimum area threshold of ecological sources was quantitatively determined. • The scientific setting of ecological node identification parameters was achieved. • The spatial equilibrium of regional ESP was enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In karst mountainous area, the strong spatial heterogeneity of the natural geography and the complexity of the human activities have led to significant variability and uncertainty in the process of ecosystem services (ESs). The trade-offs/synergies of ESs and its driving forces change with space significantly, which are not only related to the natural environment but also affected by socioeconomic factors. Clarifying the spatial distribution and compositional structure of the ecological functional zone and understanding the main driving factors of the trade-offs and synergies among multiple ESs are essential for scientific management and restoration of karst ecosystems. The objective of this study was to explore the driving forces of the trade-offs/synergies for each ecosystem service bundle (ESB) and to develop differentiated ecological management strategies based on the ecological characteristics. In this study, six ESs (i.e., water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), net primary productivity (NPP), habitat quality (HQ), recreation services (RS), and food production (FP)) were quantified in the Wujiang Basin. Based on this, the spatial distribution and land use types of the coldspots/hotspots were analyzed. Then, the K-means algorithm was used to identify the ESBs. According to the ecological structural characteristics of the ESBs, the ecological functional zones were divided. Furthermore, the trade-offs/synergies and their driving factors among the ESs in each ESB were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis and geographical detector. The results showed that the land use types significantly affected the spatial distribution of multiple ES coldspots/hotspots. The ES hotspots were mainly concentrated in the forest areas, while the coldspots were concentrated in the urban and farmland areas. Based on the spatial distributions and ecological features of the ESBs, the Wujiang Basin was divided into food supply area, habitat transition area, cultural recreation area, and ecological balance area. There were synergistic relationships between the SC and WY and between the SC and NPP in every functional zone. Precipitation and its interactions with other factors were the main driving forces that influenced the trade-off between the WY and FP in both the food supply area and the habitat transition area. The normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was the dominant factor that affected the spatial pattern of the trade-off between the FP and NPP in the cultural recreation area. This deeper understanding of the trade-offs/synergies in each functional zone provides a scientific basis for territorial spatial planning and ES optimization in the karst mountainous area.

A systematic understanding of the driving mechanisms of ecosystem services (ESs) and the relationships among them is critical for successful ecosystem management. However, the impact of driving factors on the relationships between ESs and the formation of ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) remains unclear. To address this gap, we developed a modeling process that used random forest (RF) to model the ESs and ESBs of Zhejiang Province, China, in regression and classification mode, respectively, and the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) method to interpret the underlying driving forces. We first mapped the spatial distribution of seven ESs in Zhejiang Province at a 1 × 1 km spatial resolution and then used the K-means clustering algorithm to obtain four ESBs. Combining the RF models with SHAP analysis, the results showed that each ES had key driving factors, and the relationships of synergy and trade-off between ESs were determined by the driving direction and intensity of the key factors. The driving factors affect the relationships of ESs and consequently affect the formation of ESBs. Thus, managing the dominant drivers is key to improving the supply capacity of ESs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem services (ESs) are essential for human well-being and are relevant to the region's sustainable development. Most studies have emphasized the importance of high ecosystem services areas for entire regions. However, some locations with particular contributions to a region's ecosystem services are still overlooked. Using the InVEST model, this study analyzed three ESs: annual water yield (WY), carbon storage (CS), and soil conservation (SC) in the farmland of the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of China (HHHP) from 2005 to 2019. Combining climate regulation (NDVI) and food production (FP), this research calculated the city level of the diversity of ecosystem services supply (alpha-multifunctionality) and the unique contribution to the region in each city (beta-multifunctionality) from 2005 to 2019. The alpha-multifunctionality combines the number of ecosystem services and their supplies of ecosystem services. At the same time, the beta-multifunctionality assesses the average dissimilarity between the city and all other cities within that region. Furthermore, this study used Spearman correlation and self-organizing map (SOM) to analyze the relationships between these five ecosystem services and identify ecosystem service bundles. Finally, this study used random forests to analyze drivers of ecosystem service multifunctionality. Our results showed that food production in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain increased significantly by 37.20% over time, annual water yield decreased significantly by 29.59%, and climate regulation decreased significantly by 6.09%. This may be because the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain mainly shifted from monoculture to crop rotation, and the increase in crops required more irrigation, which led to a significant decline in water yield. Furthermore, the area of grain crops in the HHHP was reduced in 2019 compared to 2005, which explains the significant decline in climate regulation. SOM found that cities with a higher beta-multifunctionality were mainly concentrated in the northern and southwest parts of HHHP. Bundles with a high alpha-multifunctionality were mainly in the southern and southeast parts of the HHHP. In addition, this research showed that farmers' per capita disposable income was the most important driver of ecosystem service multifunctionality, followed by annual average precipitation and temperature. In conclusion, this study suggests that policymakers should strengthen the protection of some high ecological value but low economic value farmlands, which are crucial for regional ecological security. Meanwhile, policymakers should introduce strict ecological protection policies for farmland to reduce the decline of ecological services caused by farmers' pursuit of economic income., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

With complex topography and geomorphology, mountainous cities possess abundant natural resources. They are constrained by ecological environment and topographic conditions, leading to a prominent contradiction between urbanization development and ecological protection. As a result, ecosystem services (ESs) are under greater regulatory pressure. The identification of ecosystem services bundles (ESBs) can be the foundation for developing zonal ecological protection planning policies. We took Chongqing as a case study, investigated the impact mechanisms of socio-ecological factors on the level of ES supply in each ESB. The findings reveal that: (1) The quantitative assessment of ESs for 2000, 2010, and 2020 showed that ESs were temporally stable and spatially heterogeneous. Areas with high supplies of food production (FP) and water yield (WY) were predominantly found in the northwestern cropland and urban built-up regions, whereas high supply areas for the other four ESs were primarily located in the northeastern Dabashan Mountains and the southern Wuling Mountains. (2) The quantification of trade-offs and synergies between ESs showed that FP had a trade-off effect with all five other ESs, while most other ES pairs exhibited synergistic effects. It was found that the interrelationships produced changes over time. (3) Then, three types of ESBs were identified. After examining the influence mechanisms of socio-ecological factors across the three ESBs, individual ESs were found to have essentially the same types of main impact factors in three ESBs, but varies in impact. (4) Finally, with reference to changes in ES levels and interrelationships and the driving mechanisms of socio-ecological factors in each zone, this study proposed zonal strategies for managing ecosystem services and optimizing territorial space based on the geographic characteristics and socio-economic development in different ESBs, with the goal of attaining sustainable urban development and improving human welfare., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The interaction relationship of ecosystem services (ESs) is among the most critical objective in natural resource management. However, a complexity of the spatial heterogeneity of delivering multiple ESs from social-ecological system was seldomly considered. To enhance the linkage between the spatial concordance and interaction relationship of ESs, we presented a multi-criteria framework for identifying the trade-offs and synergies relationship of ESs. The conceptual steps were to i) divide the ES groups based on different ES bundles, ii) select appropriate methods for each ES bundle based on the number of dominant ESs and iii) determine the trade-offs and synergies relationship of pair-wise ESs among ES bundles. The framework was tested in the Guangdong- Hong Kong- Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in the period of 2000 to 2015, which can be implemented by using InVEST model, K-means clustering algorithm and correlation analysis method. The results show that 4 different ES bundles had been identified, which exhibits the spatial distribution of Bundle 1 to Bundle 4 had an extensive trend from central regions to fringe regions in the GBA. Partial correlation analysis and spearman correlation analysis were selected to quantify the trade-off and synergies relationship of ESs for each ES bundle. Meanwhile, the trade-offs and synergies relationship of ESs among each bundle was compared with the total areas of GBA, which exhibits a proportion of conspicuous differences. It indicated the framework could distinguish the spatiotemporal heterogeneity on the trade-offs and synergies relationship of ESs. A favorable application on the GBA underscored the interrelationship of multiple ESs should consider a spatiotemporal variation of the stability and ability to deliver multiple ESs from a social-ecological system. The framework for understanding the interaction relationship presented here offers a feasible workflow to evaluate trade-off strategies and policies of ecosystem management.

Clarifying the relationships among regional ecosystem service values is important for ecosystem service management. However, most current studies are based on historical periods or individual time points, and there is still a lack of research on the scenario analysis of the relationship of ecosystem service values. We chose the Yinchuan Plain in northwest China as the research object. Firstly, three development scenarios of natural development, ecological protection, and economic priority were designed. Based on the CA-Markov model, a multi-scenario simulation of land use in the Yinchuan Plain is carried out. The value equivalence factor method was then used to calculate the value of ecosystem services, and the Pearson correlation coefficient method was used to analyze the trade-offs and synergistic relationships between the values of different ecosystem services. Finally, K-Mean cluster analysis and stable metaphorical change trajectory method were used to identify ecosystem service bundle and their evolution trajectories. We found that the ecosystem service value of Yinchuan Plain shows an upward trend under the ecological protection scenario, and the rest of the scenarios and historical periods show a downward trend to varying degrees, and the ecosystem service value declines the most under the economic priority scenario. The dominant cluster is based on food production, and this service bundle is the main function throughout the year. Combining different landscape types, we synthesized the trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem service bundles and various ecosystem services values in different scenarios to formulate management strategies for future ecosystem services in different landscape partitions.

[Display omitted] • Carbon storage, habitat quality, soil retention, and water yield in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China are in an increasing phase from 2000 to 2020. • Diverse ES bundles shift over time, revealing intricate spatiotemporal dynamics. • Socio-ecological drivers shape consistent yet scale-dependent ES patterns. • Propose ecological management strategies at different spatial scales based on ecosystem service bundles. To achieve regional ecological management and sustainable socio-economic development, it is essential to comprehend the intricate and interdependent relationships among various ecosystem services. The Agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China is a typical ecologically vulnerable area. There is limited research on managing multiple ecosystem services to maximize supply based on understanding the complex relationships among ecosystem services. This study used the InVEST model to quantify habitat quality (HQ), soil conservation (SC), carbon sequestration (CS), and water yield (WY) in the Agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China in 2000, 2010, and 2020 at the 5 km grid and county scales. Their trade-off and synergistic effects were explored using Spearman correlation analysis and the Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) model. In addition, self-organizing mapping was employed to identify ecosystem service bundles at two scales, whereas the geodetector was employed to determine the primary social-ecological drivers of ES. Finally, management strategies are proposed based on the research results to promote regional ecological sustainability. The results indicate that: (1) The four ESs exhibited an increasing trend during the study period. Except for WY, the other three ES demonstrated a similar spatial distribution while remaining relatively stable over time; (2) there is a synergistic effect between CS, HQ, and SC, whereas WY-related ES show trade-off effects; (3) six ES bundles were identified at the 5 km grid scale, and four ES bundles were identified at the county scale; (4) precipitation is a major driving factor for WY and an important driving factor for CS, HQ, and SC. In summary, natural factors have a greater impact on ES than socio-economic factors. Based on the differences in ecosystem service bundles and drivers at different scales, and in conjunction with China's existing environmental policies, corresponding ecological management strategies were proposed, potentially providing a reference for sustainable development of the Agro-pastoral ecotone in northern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: From 1999 onwards, China has initiated a large-scale landscape restoration project in the Chinese Loess Plateau, which has had profound but variable impacts on the local ecosystem services supply. The dynamics of ecosystem services throughout the restoration process remain poorly understood. Objectives: To analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics in ecosystem services before and after the implementation of the land restoration project, and to understand trade-offs and synergies between multiple ecosystem services. Methods: We used the InVEST model and statistical yearbook data to quantify the ecosystem services over the period 1990–2018 for the Yan'an area and applied the concept of ecosystem service bundles to understand the dynamics of 11 ecosystem services over its 13 constituent counties. Results: A significant increase of fruit production, sediment retention, habitat quality, aesthetic landscape value, and learning and inspiration value was found over time in the Yan'an area, while a decrease of timber production and water yield was also observed. The majority of the county-level ecosystem service bundles were transformed from having a focus on timber production to aesthetic landscape value. The dynamics of ecosystem services change induced by land restoration was discovered to start with increasing regulating services at the expense of provisioning services, while cultural services exceeded regulating services and occupied the main proportion subsequently. Conclusion: Both trade-offs and synergies were found between provisioning, regulating and cultural services. Implementation of the large-scale restoration project is recognized as a key driving force inducing change of ecosystem services, starting with an improvement of regulating services followed by a gradually evolving prominence of cultural services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Managing ecosystem service (ES) bundles to synergize their benefits is a crucial but challenging task for landscape planning and sustainable development. However, few studies have focused on ES bundles for landscape management in complex mountainous social–ecological systems. In this study, we quantified four ESs, food supply, soil conservation, water conservation, and habitat quality, in the Bailongjiang watershed (BLJW) in western China by using multi-source geospatial data and related ecological and societal information from 1990 to 2016. We found significant spatial and temporal changes in ES patterns and their relationships measured in 1990, 2002, 2010, and 2016. We found both strong positive and negative relationships (P

Understanding the effects of human modification on ecosystem services is critical for effectively managing multiple services and achieving long-term sustainability. The historical dynamics of ecosystem services are important for detecting the impacts before and after intensive modification and deserve further study. To this end, we quantified the spatiotemporal dynamics of 11 ecosystem services across the Sihu agricultural watershed in 1954, 1983, 2001, and 2018. We used the Spearman coefficient, self-organized maps clustering, and redundancy analysis to explore the spatial patterns and potential modification drivers of temporal variations of ecosystem service provision. The results revealed the following: (1) The spatial correlations among ecosystem services in a single year were inconsistent with the ecosystem service change associations during two-time steps. The snapshot correlations at one time led to misunderstandings (such as water yield and runoff control or soil carbon sequestration, and habitat quality changed direction from synergy to trade-off) and missed synergies (such as water purification and recreational potential); (2) Most ecosystem services could be synergetic in one bundle with multifunctionality before intensive modification, but later transformed to single or limited services dominated bundles, especially in lake-polder areas; (3) Lake reclamation and hydraulic infrastructure were the most significant modification indicators explaining the variation of ecosystem services (30.9% of variance explained by lake reclamation in 1954, 38.2% of variance explained by hydraulic infrastructure in 2018). Meanwhile, changes in dominant drivers also indicated the transition from lake-based ecosystem service supply to engineered service. An improved understanding of the spatiotemporal pattern of ecosystem services and the underlying human modification influence is vital for realizing the sustainability and multifunctionality of agricultural watershed.

Sustaining multiple ecosystem services across a landscape requires an understanding of how consistently services are shaped by different categories of land uses. Yet, this understanding is generally constrained by the availability of fine‐resolution data for multiple services across large areas and the spatial variability of land‐use effects on services. We systematically surveyed published literature for New Zealand (1970–2015) to quantify the supply of 17 non‐production services across 25 land covers (as a proxy for land use). We found a consistent trade‐off in the services supplied by anthropogenic land covers with a high production intensity (e.g. cropping) versus those with extensive or no production. By contrast, forest cover was not associated with any distinct patterns of service supply. By drawing on existing research findings, we reveal complementarity and redundancy (potentially influencing resilience) in service supply from different land covers. This will guide practitioners in shaping land systems that sustainably support human well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Ecosystem service bundles can be defined as the spatial co-occurrence of ecosystem services in a landscape. The understanding of the delivery of multiple ecosystem services as bundles in urban areas is limited. This study modelled ecosystem services in an urban area comprising the towns of Milton Keynes, Bedford and Luton. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess (1) how ecosystem service bundles scale at a 2 m spatial resolution and (2) identify and analyse the composition of ecosystem service bundles. Methods: Six ecosystem services were modelled with the InVEST framework at a 2 m resolution. The correlations between ecosystem services were calculated using the Spearman rank correlation coefficient method. Principal Component Analysis and K-means cluster analysis were used to analyse the distributions, spatial trade-offs and synergies of multiple ecosystem services. Results: The results showed that regulating services had the tendency to form trade-offs and synergies. There was a significant tendency for trade-offs between supporting service Habitat quality and Pollinator abundance. Four bundle types were identified which showed specialised areas with prevalent soil erosion with high levels in water supply, areas with high values in nutrient retention, areas with high levels in carbon storage and urban areas with pollinator abundance. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the existence of synergies and trade-offs between ecosystem services and the formation of ecosystem service bundles in urban areas. This study provides a better understanding of the interactions between services and improve the management choices in ecosystem service provision in urban and landscape planning. [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]

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The ecosystem service concept is recognized as a useful tool to support sustainability in decision-making. In this study, we collaborated with actors in the Helge å catchment, southern Sweden, in an iterative participatory ecosystem service assessment. Through workshops and interviews, we jointly decided which ecosystem services to assess and indicators to use in order to achieve a sense of ownership and a higher legitimacy of the assessment. Subsequently, we explored the landscape-level interactions between the 15 assessed services, and found that the area can be described using three distinct ecosystem service bundles. The iterative, participatory process strengthened our analysis and created a shared understanding and overview of the multifunctional landscape around Helge å among participants. Importantly, this allowed for the generated knowledge to impact local strategic sustainability planning. With this study, we illustrate how similar processes can support local decision-making for a more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the management of multiple ecosystem services (e.g., food provision, water and air quality regulation, carbon storage, and erosion control) in agricultural landscapes is a critical challenge to improve food system sustainability. However, we currently lack spatially-resolved national-level assessments of the relationships among services in agricultural landscapes over time. This limits our ability to make decisions and predict how environmental changes or agricultural management actions will impact multiple services. How do multiple ecosystem services vary across both space and time, at regional-to-national scales? To address this question, we quantified eight indicators of four ecosystem services across 290 Canadian agricultural landscapes in 1996, 2001, and 2006. We observed consistent correlations between pairs of services across the 290 ecodistricts in each of the 3 years of our study. In particular, ecodistricts with high livestock production had low provision of most regulating services, while ecodistricts with high air quality (ammonia retention) also had high soil and water quality regulation services. However, these ‘snapshot’ correlations poorly predicted how pairs of services changed through time. Ecosystem service change from 1996–2001 to 2001–2006 (as measured by pairwise correlations) showed markedly different patterns than snapshot correlations. In particular, where livestock production increased between years, so did most regulating services. Ecosystem service bundles also showed similar divergent patterns. The distribution of ecosystem service “snapshot” bundles—sets of ecodistricts with similar levels of provision across multiple ecosystem services in a single year—was generally stable between 1996 and 2006; only 15% of ecodistricts changed bundle types in this time period. However, ecosystem service “change” bundles—sets of ecodistricts with similar changes in ecosystem service provision through time—were much more dynamic. Nearly 60% of ecodistricts exhibited a different set of ecosystem service changes from 2001 to 2006 compared to 1996 to 2001. Our results add to the growing evidence that relationships between services across space do not necessarily predict service change through time. Improved understanding of the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of ecosystem services, and better understanding of underlying processes, is crucial to improve agricultural landscape management for multifunctionality and sustainability.

• Trade-offs and synergies between ecosystem services were evaluated. • Self-organizing map was used to identify ecosystem services bundles. • Ecosystem service interrelationships are influenced by natural and social factors. • Our findings can form the basis of ecological environmental management policies. Understanding the intricate interrelationships among ecosystem services (ESs) and exploring their driving mechanisms are prerequisites for their efficient management. The southwestern karst region is a typical ecologically fragile area and a crucial component for establishing an ecological security barrier in southern China. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between ESs and the concept of ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) and explore the distribution of ESs and their interrelationships. Using methods, such as Spearman's correlation and spatial autocorrelation analysis, this study focused on the karst peak-cluster depression region in southwestern China to analyse the trade-offs and synergistic effects among 12 ESs. Additionally, this study used the self-organizing map to identify ESBs and used the Random Forest model to explore the potential driving factors influencing the distribution patterns of ESs. The results indicated a spatial clustering effect among the 12 ESs, whereby provisioning and cultural services had the most significant clustering effect (Moran's I > 0.8). A total of 25 pairs of ESs exhibited synergistic effects, and 31 pairs showed trade-off effects. Food production showed a trade-off with both regulatory and supporting services, whereas ESs within the same category tended to exhibit synergistic effects. The distribution and interrelationships of ESs are influenced by natural and social factors, such as climate, topography, and human activities, resulting in the formation of six ESBs. This study enriches the understanding of the relationship of ESs and will contribute to the coordinated development of resources and the environment in the karst peak-cluster depression region of southwestern China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spatiotemporal heterogeneity and driving factors of ES relationships and ESBs were analyzed. • Large spatiotemporal heterogeneity of ESs and ESBs were observed over the last three decades. • Land use type was one of the dominate drivers of most ESs relationships in all ESBs. • Substantial changes in different ESBs were due to the climate and socioeconomic factors. • Targeted zoning management based on spatiotemporal variations of ESs and ESBs was suggested. Complex geographical environments and intensified human activities have induced significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity in ecosystem services (ESs) and their relationships worldwide, especially in agropastoral ecotones. Identifying the ecological and socioeconomic driving factors of the spatiotemporal dynamics of the relationships and bundles among multiple ESs is essential for effective agropastoral ecotone management and restoration. Herein, five key ESs, including water yield (WY), carbon sequestration (CS), sand fixation (SF), soil conservation (SC), and food production (FP), in the northern piedmont of the Yinshan Mountains (NPYM), a typical agropastoral ecotone, were quantified from 1990 to 2018. Ecosystem service bundles (ESBs) were identified by the K-means algorithm, and the trade-offs/synergies among the different ESs in each ESB were investigated using Spearman's correlation analysis. Moreover, the main driving factors of the spatiotemporal dynamics of the ES relationships and ESBs were identified by the geographical detector model. Our results showed that the five ESs in the NPYM exhibited high spatiotemporal heterogeneity over the last three decades, with WY, SC and FP significantly improving over time but CS and SF slightly decreasing. Considering the ecological features and spatial distribution, the NPYM could be divided into four ESBs: the grassland protection bundle (GPB), desertification control bundle (DCB), agricultural production bundle (APB) and forest conservation bundle (FCB). Although trade-offs between WY and CS and synergy between SC and CS occurred in almost all ESBs, significant differences in the relationships between the other ESs were observed in the different ESBs. Generally, land use type was one of the dominant drivers of most ES relationships in all ESBs, especially in the APB. However, climate, vegetation and socioeconomic factors also played important roles in the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of various ES relationships in some bundles. Moreover, the substantial changes in the different ESBs over the last three decades were mainly due to climatic and socioeconomic factors. Overall, our results indicated that identifying the spatiotemporal heterogeneity and driving factors of ES relationships and ESBs could provide useful guidance for developing targeted zoning management strategies in agropastoral ecotones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding ecosystem services(ESs)and their interactions will help to formulate effective and sustainable land use management plans, and clarifying the balance and synergy between watershed ecosystem services can provide a basis for the regulation of the ecological environment in different regions of the watershed and the maximization of overall ecological benefits. This paper takes the Yellow River Basin as the research object and uses the Ecosystem Services and Trade Offs (InVEST)model to evaluate the water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), carbon storage (CS) and habitat quality (HQ) of the Yellow River Basin. The paper adopts the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA)model to evaluate the net primary productivity (NPP), draws the spatial distribution map of the five ecosystems, analyzes the trade-off and synergy between the five ecosystems using correlation and binary spatial correlation, and expresses it in space. In addition, it adopts self-organizing mapping (SOM) method to identify ecosystem service clusters. The results show that: (1) ES is generally higher in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, and lower in the middle reaches. (2) WY and NPP, HQ, CS and WY are trade-off relationships, and other ecosystem services are synergistic relationships. Trade-offs and synergy show obvious spatial heterogeneity. (3) The ecosystem services of the Yellow River Basin, driven by different factors, can be divided into three areas, namely WY and SC service leading functional areas, HQ and CS service leading functional areas, and NPP service leading functional areas. Finally, it discusses the driving factors of the spatial heterogeneity of the balance of the ecosystem service functions of the Yellow River Basin and the suggestions of land use management in the basin.

There is a rapidly growing body of literature on the theory about the ecosystem service concept and the practical assessment of ecosystem services in different contexts ranging from natural to urban environments. Yet, where does the concept reach its limits? This paper critically reflects the application of the ecosystem service concept in urban environments illustrating the handling of urban structures (incl. built-up areas) and the risk that the normative principle of the concept could be missed. It is shown that in theory urban structures refer to a variety of ecosystem concepts. As a starting point for ecosystem service assessments, these could be classified into natural, managed, constructed and overbuilt systems. Since ecosystem service concepts do not directly refer to a specific ecosystem definition, but to biophysical structures and processes, all of these classes could be included. However, the dependency on context and scale makes a differentiation in practical ecosystem services assessment challenging. We conclude that the ecosystem service concept does not reach its limits in urban environments, but urban environments represent an extreme case characterized by multifunctionality and a high degree of modification that enables to uncover research challenges applying in any environment. There is a need for a more transparent reporting of theoretical and methodological assumptions to facilitate the comparability between ecosystem service assessments. Comprehensive approaches that consider multiple ecosystem services and include human input, human modification, the ecosystem status as well as their interactions are required to understand the spatial relations between ecosystem services delivered by different ecosystems.

Abstract One of the current major scientific challenges to sustain social-ecological systems is to improve our understanding of the spatial and temporal dynamics of the relationships between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services. Here, we analyse the bundles of ecosystem services supplied by three coastal ecosystems (coastal lagoons, coral reefs and sandy beaches) along a gradient of eutrophication. Based on a state-and-transition model, we analyses the dynamic responses of ecological communities to environmental change and management actions. Although few exceptions are highlighted, increasing eutrophication in the three ecosystem types leads to a degradation of the ecosystem service bundles, particularly for nutrient and pathogen regulation/sequestration, or for the support of recreational and leisure activities. Despite few obstacles to their full use, state-and-transition models can be very powerful frameworks to integrate multiple functions and services delivered by ecosystems while accounting for their temporal dynamics. Highlights • Gradients of eutrophication modify bundles of coastal ecosystem services. • Nutrient and pathogen regulation as well as cultural services are particularly impacted. • State-and-transition model is a powerful framework for environmental management. • Managers can balance the few gains of eutrophication with the losses of ecosystem services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]