Spatio-Temporal Measurement and Driving Factor Analysis of Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs and Synergy in the Kaidu–Kongque River Basin, Xinjiang, China

Yujiang Yan, Jiangui Li (), Junli Li () and Teng Jiang
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Yujiang Yan: College of Economics and Management, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
Jiangui Li: College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, China
Junli Li: State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
Teng Jiang: Xinjiang Academy of Forestry Sciences, Urumqi 830018, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 16, 1-14

Abstract: The arid ecosystem of the endorheic basin is a complex, integrated ecosystem with diverse functions and significant regional differences. However, measuring the trade-off relationships and external driving mechanisms of the ecosystem services in arid inland basins has always been a challenging task in terms of geography, ecology, and economics. In this study, we utilized meteorological data, land-use and land-cover data, and vegetation NDVI to estimate the five ecosystem services, namely, food supply, water yield, carbon sequestration, habitat quality, and windbreak and sand-fixation supply services, using the RWEQ and InVEST models in the Kaidu–Kongque River Basin, Xinjiang. Bivariate spatial local autocorrelation analysis was employed to measure the trade-off/synergy relationships between these ecosystem services, and GeoDetector was used to identify the impact of the natural environment and human activities on the trade-off relationships between ecosystem services. The results show the following: (1) In the past three decades, all five ecosystem services in the Kaidu–Kongque River Basin increased, with the food supply service being the largest (66.37%), followed by the windbreak and sand-fixation service, with a continuous upward trend of 51.84%. (2) The spatial distribution and pattern changes of each ES exhibit notable spatial heterogeneity, with high-value areas for food supply and carbon-sequestration services situated in the basin’s middle reaches with high vegetation cover. Meanwhile, high-value areas for water yield, habitat quality, and windbreak and sand-fixation services are located in Hejing County, upstream of the basin. (3) The trade-offs and synergistic relationships between ecosystem services were explored, with most showing significant correlations at the 0.01 level, and synergistic relationships were predominantly found. (4) The contribution of each ecosystem service was primarily attributable to natural factors rather than human factors. Furthermore, land use/cover type emerged as the dominant factor for spatial differentiation in the integrated ecosystem services of the watershed, followed by elevation and rainfall. By elucidating the trade-offs, spatial heterogeneity, and formation mechanisms of ecosystem services, this study provides a scientific basis for regional ecological planning. Additionally, the study holds practical significance for devising “win-win” policies for regional economic development and ecological balance.

Keywords: ecosystem services; trade-off; drivers; Kaidu–Kongque River Basin (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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