Spatiotemporal Evolution of Land-Use and Ecosystem Services Valuation in the Belt and Road Initiative

Qiting Zuo, Xing Li, Lingang Hao and Minghui Hao
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Qiting Zuo: School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Xing Li: School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Lingang Hao: School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
Minghui Hao: School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 16, 1-21

Abstract: Land-use changes can significantly affect both the ecosystem services value (ESV) and ecosystem functions. Estimating the impacts of land-use changes in ESV in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is indispensable to provide public awareness about the status of ESV, and to help in policy-making processes. To understand the spatiotemporal evolution of land-use its impact on ESV in the BRI, this study investigated the main water-resource areas of BRI. Using GLCNMO data (2003, 2008, 2013), the land-use dynamic degree, comprehensive index of land-use degree, land-use transfer matrix, and method of ESV valuation were adopted to analyze the changes in land-use and ESV. The results showed that forest and cropland area increased markedly between 2003 and 2013, whereas grassland and shrubland area notably decreased. Forest, shrubland, grassland, cropland, and bare land occupied a relatively large proportion and changed frequently. The total ESV of the study area has increased from US $74.98 million in 2003 to US $82.12 million in 2013, which was primarily caused by the transition from cropland and grassland to forest. The impacts of land-use changes on the specific ecosystem services are also tremendous. The presented results can be valuable for the government for future land-use planning activities.

Keywords: The Belt and Road Initiative; land-use; spatiotemporal evolution; water-resource areas; ecosystem services; ecological environment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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