Research on the Value of County-Level Ecosystem Services in Highly Mountainous Canyon Areas Based on Land Use Change: Analysis of Spatiotemporal Evolution Characteristics and Spatial Stability

Linrui Zhang, Kanhua Yu (), Yue Zhang, Jiabin Wei, Wenting Yang and Xuhui Wang
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Linrui Zhang: School of Architecture, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710061, China
Kanhua Yu: School of Architecture, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710061, China
Yue Zhang: School of Architecture, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710061, China
Jiabin Wei: School of Architecture, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710061, China
Wenting Yang: School of Architecture, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710061, China
Xuhui Wang: Department of Landscape Architecture, College of Landscape Architecture & Arts, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: Human activities and climate change have accelerated land use and land cover change (LUCC) globally, diminishing the ecosystem service value (ESV) in ecologically fragile areas such as highly mountainous canyons and disrupting the human–nature balance. However, existing research lacks analysis on the impact of land use changes on ecosystem service value in typical counties with highly mountainous canyon regions. Therefore, we aim to address this gap by analyzing land use changes and their driving factors in Chayu County using multi-year land use data, calculating the ecosystem service value (ESV) for different periods, and estimating its spatial correlation and stability. The results showed the following: (1) Forestland and grassland were the predominant land-use types, with notable conversions between grassland and water bodies, grassland and unused land, and water bodies and unused land. (2) The total ESV increased steadily from 2003 to 2023, with higher values in the north and west and lower values in the central east. Forestland and water areas were the primary contributors to ESV changes, and ESV sensitivity to LUCC steadily increased from 0.46% to 2.49%. (3) Moran’s I ESV shows an overall increase, with a heightened correlation and enhanced stability. Spatially, the ESV exhibited a general high–high and low–low clustering pattern, with localized high–low and low–high clusters. These changes, driven by natural resource endowments and climate change, provide essential support for ecological protection and sustainable development in highly mountainous canyons and similar regions.

Keywords: ecosystem service value; land use/cover change; spatial autocorrelation; stability; ecological protection (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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