A Framework for Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Planning Based on Ecosystem Service Synergy/Trade-Off Analysis: Application in the Qinling–Daba Mountain Area

The multifunctionality of green infrastructure (GI) can be enhanced through intentional planning that promotes synergies among various functions while minimizing trade-offs. Despite its significance, methodologies for implementing this approach remain underexplored. This paper presents an applicatio...

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Main Authors: Mingjie Song, Shicheng Li, Basanta Paudel, Fangjie Pan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Land
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1287
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author Mingjie Song
Shicheng Li
Basanta Paudel
Fangjie Pan
author_facet Mingjie Song
Shicheng Li
Basanta Paudel
Fangjie Pan
author_sort Mingjie Song
collection DOAJ
description The multifunctionality of green infrastructure (GI) can be enhanced through intentional planning that promotes synergies among various functions while minimizing trade-offs. Despite its significance, methodologies for implementing this approach remain underexplored. This paper presents an application-oriented framework for GI planning that emphasizes the relationship between GI functional performance and the provision of ecosystem services. By reframing the issues of multifunctional synergies and trade-offs as quantifiable and spatially explicit problems associated with ecosystem services, the framework offers both a conceptual foundation and technical protocols for practical application. This framework was implemented in the Qinling–Daba Mountain Area (QDMB) in China to evaluate its practicality and identify potential challenges. The planned GI system aims to fulfill multiple functions, including biodiversity maintenance, water and soil conservation, eco-farming, and ecotourism development. Additionally, 73 wildlife corridors were established to connect GI elements, thereby enhancing habitat services for biodiversity. Furthermore, the analysis identified 245 townships and 273 sites as strategic areas and points requiring targeted intervention to mitigate potential multifunctional trade-offs. These locations are characterized by their location within protected areas, protected buffer zones, or wildlife corridors, or at the intersection of wildlife corridors with existing transportation infrastructure. The findings validate the framework’s practicality and highlight the necessity for additional research into the capacity of GI to support diverse human activities and the approaches to enhance GI elements’ connectivity for multifunctionality.
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spelling doaj-art-d71f5fa6be8f465eb20cbdb2ba22f8d12025-08-20T03:27:37ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2025-06-01146128710.3390/land14061287A Framework for Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Planning Based on Ecosystem Service Synergy/Trade-Off Analysis: Application in the Qinling–Daba Mountain AreaMingjie Song0Shicheng Li1Basanta Paudel2Fangjie Pan3College of Public Administration, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, ChinaDepartment of Land Resource Management, School of Public Administration, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, ChinaSouthasia Institute of Advanced Studies, Kathmandu 44600, NepalSchool of Management, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, ChinaThe multifunctionality of green infrastructure (GI) can be enhanced through intentional planning that promotes synergies among various functions while minimizing trade-offs. Despite its significance, methodologies for implementing this approach remain underexplored. This paper presents an application-oriented framework for GI planning that emphasizes the relationship between GI functional performance and the provision of ecosystem services. By reframing the issues of multifunctional synergies and trade-offs as quantifiable and spatially explicit problems associated with ecosystem services, the framework offers both a conceptual foundation and technical protocols for practical application. This framework was implemented in the Qinling–Daba Mountain Area (QDMB) in China to evaluate its practicality and identify potential challenges. The planned GI system aims to fulfill multiple functions, including biodiversity maintenance, water and soil conservation, eco-farming, and ecotourism development. Additionally, 73 wildlife corridors were established to connect GI elements, thereby enhancing habitat services for biodiversity. Furthermore, the analysis identified 245 townships and 273 sites as strategic areas and points requiring targeted intervention to mitigate potential multifunctional trade-offs. These locations are characterized by their location within protected areas, protected buffer zones, or wildlife corridors, or at the intersection of wildlife corridors with existing transportation infrastructure. The findings validate the framework’s practicality and highlight the necessity for additional research into the capacity of GI to support diverse human activities and the approaches to enhance GI elements’ connectivity for multifunctionality.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1287nature-based developmentecosystem servicesnatural and semi-natural assetsmountainous region
spellingShingle Mingjie Song
Shicheng Li
Basanta Paudel
Fangjie Pan
A Framework for Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Planning Based on Ecosystem Service Synergy/Trade-Off Analysis: Application in the Qinling–Daba Mountain Area
Land
nature-based development
ecosystem services
natural and semi-natural assets
mountainous region
title A Framework for Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Planning Based on Ecosystem Service Synergy/Trade-Off Analysis: Application in the Qinling–Daba Mountain Area
title_full A Framework for Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Planning Based on Ecosystem Service Synergy/Trade-Off Analysis: Application in the Qinling–Daba Mountain Area
title_fullStr A Framework for Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Planning Based on Ecosystem Service Synergy/Trade-Off Analysis: Application in the Qinling–Daba Mountain Area
title_full_unstemmed A Framework for Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Planning Based on Ecosystem Service Synergy/Trade-Off Analysis: Application in the Qinling–Daba Mountain Area
title_short A Framework for Multifunctional Green Infrastructure Planning Based on Ecosystem Service Synergy/Trade-Off Analysis: Application in the Qinling–Daba Mountain Area
title_sort framework for multifunctional green infrastructure planning based on ecosystem service synergy trade off analysis application in the qinling daba mountain area
topic nature-based development
ecosystem services
natural and semi-natural assets
mountainous region
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/14/6/1287
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