Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value Trends and Drivers in the Yellow River Delta, China

Ecosystem service value (ESV) reflects ecosystem functions and benefits; however, the factors influencing ESV and the mechanisms driving it in wetlands and non-wetlands are not yet fully understood. The Yellow River Delta (YRD) is distinguished by the presence of numerous wetland areas that are both...

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Main Authors: Qian Xu, Zhiyi Zhang, Xin Liu, Zihan Wang, Chen Ren, Tanlong Xia, Guangwei Sun, Liusheng Han
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Agriculture
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/3/346
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author Qian Xu
Zhiyi Zhang
Xin Liu
Zihan Wang
Chen Ren
Tanlong Xia
Guangwei Sun
Liusheng Han
author_facet Qian Xu
Zhiyi Zhang
Xin Liu
Zihan Wang
Chen Ren
Tanlong Xia
Guangwei Sun
Liusheng Han
author_sort Qian Xu
collection DOAJ
description Ecosystem service value (ESV) reflects ecosystem functions and benefits; however, the factors influencing ESV and the mechanisms driving it in wetlands and non-wetlands are not yet fully understood. The Yellow River Delta (YRD) is distinguished by the presence of numerous wetland areas that are both Reserve and non-Reserve and thus it was selected as the designated study area. In this study, the spatiotemporal structures of ESV in the YRD between 2000 and 2020 were studied using land cover change analysis and the equivalent factor methodology. In addition, we analyzed the drivers behind the geographical variability in ESV by applying the Geographical Detector method. The results showed that the land structure of the YRD National Nature Reserve was relatively stable, whereas the non-Reserve area exhibited greater fluctuations; that is, wetlands in the YRD non-Reserve area decreased by 11.43% compared with the more stable land structure in Reserve areas, where wetland decreased by 4.93%. Furthermore, disparities in the distribution of land use types gave rise to a discernible spatial distribution of overall ESV, with the northeast exhibiting significantly higher ESV levels compared to the southwest. Additionally, in the past two decades, the center of gravity of the ESV in both regions has shifted towards urban centers, and wetlands have migrated towards the coastline. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was identified as the main driver of ESV heterogeneity. The findings of this study are highly relevant to regional ecological conservation and the promotion of economic and social development.
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spelling doaj-art-e1138c2d6c0f490e91ba7a2f93b088792025-08-20T02:12:38ZengMDPI AGAgriculture2077-04722025-02-0115334610.3390/agriculture15030346Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value Trends and Drivers in the Yellow River Delta, ChinaQian Xu0Zhiyi Zhang1Xin Liu2Zihan Wang3Chen Ren4Tanlong Xia5Guangwei Sun6Liusheng Han7School of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, ChinaJinan Gangcheng District Natural Resources Bureau, Jinan 271104, ChinaGuangzhou Marine Geological Survey, China Geological Survey, Guangzhou 511458, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, ChinaSchool of Civil Engineering and Geomatics, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo 255000, ChinaEcosystem service value (ESV) reflects ecosystem functions and benefits; however, the factors influencing ESV and the mechanisms driving it in wetlands and non-wetlands are not yet fully understood. The Yellow River Delta (YRD) is distinguished by the presence of numerous wetland areas that are both Reserve and non-Reserve and thus it was selected as the designated study area. In this study, the spatiotemporal structures of ESV in the YRD between 2000 and 2020 were studied using land cover change analysis and the equivalent factor methodology. In addition, we analyzed the drivers behind the geographical variability in ESV by applying the Geographical Detector method. The results showed that the land structure of the YRD National Nature Reserve was relatively stable, whereas the non-Reserve area exhibited greater fluctuations; that is, wetlands in the YRD non-Reserve area decreased by 11.43% compared with the more stable land structure in Reserve areas, where wetland decreased by 4.93%. Furthermore, disparities in the distribution of land use types gave rise to a discernible spatial distribution of overall ESV, with the northeast exhibiting significantly higher ESV levels compared to the southwest. Additionally, in the past two decades, the center of gravity of the ESV in both regions has shifted towards urban centers, and wetlands have migrated towards the coastline. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index was identified as the main driver of ESV heterogeneity. The findings of this study are highly relevant to regional ecological conservation and the promotion of economic and social development.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/3/346ecosystem service value (ESV)spatiotemporalland use and land cover (LULC)driving factors
spellingShingle Qian Xu
Zhiyi Zhang
Xin Liu
Zihan Wang
Chen Ren
Tanlong Xia
Guangwei Sun
Liusheng Han
Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value Trends and Drivers in the Yellow River Delta, China
Agriculture
ecosystem service value (ESV)
spatiotemporal
land use and land cover (LULC)
driving factors
title Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value Trends and Drivers in the Yellow River Delta, China
title_full Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value Trends and Drivers in the Yellow River Delta, China
title_fullStr Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value Trends and Drivers in the Yellow River Delta, China
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value Trends and Drivers in the Yellow River Delta, China
title_short Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value Trends and Drivers in the Yellow River Delta, China
title_sort analysis of ecosystem service value trends and drivers in the yellow river delta china
topic ecosystem service value (ESV)
spatiotemporal
land use and land cover (LULC)
driving factors
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/3/346
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