Exploring the classification of China's ecosystem service networks and their driving factors based on current status and evolutionary trends

Abstract

Understanding the evolution of ecosystems and the impacts of human activities on ecosystem dynamics is critical to ecosystem management . Limited research has explored how the networks formed by ecosystem services (ESs) changed and the role played by human activities. To improve the situation, four ESs were assessed from 1992 to 2020 across 31 provinces in China. Network analysis and trend analysis were used to assess the current status and evolutionary trends of ES networks. The impact of human activities on ES networks was examined by the generalized additive model (GAM). The results showed that six types of ES networks were identified. The synergy of ES networks increased in most provinces, except Guangxi, Henan, Qinghai, Hebei and Jiangsu. Human activities had a significant impact on network structure, especially network density. GDP, population, industrial structure and electricity consumption had a threshold effect. Network density increased when these variables did not exceed the threshold and decreased when the threshold was exceeded. Built-up land proportion and night lights had a negative linear effect on network density. This study offered specific development strategies for each province, enhancing the adaptability of management. Our framework has broad applicability to ecosystem assessment and management in other regions.