The impact of land use change on the temporospatial variations of ecosystems services value in China and an optimized land use solution

• Published in: Environmental science & policy Vol. 44; pp. 62 - 72
• Main Authors: Wang, Wanjing, Guo, Huaicheng, Chuai, Xiaowei, Dai, Chao, Lai, Li, Zhang, Mei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; China; China (People's Republic); Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Crop yield; Difference; Ecosystem services value; Ecosystems; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Government; Governments; Grasslands; Land; Land use; Land use change; Land use structure optimization; Land utilization; Managers; Policies; Synecology; Values; Woodlands; Asia; China; China, People's Rep; Ecosystem services value; Land use structure optimization; Land use change; China; Environmental policy; Environment impact; Ecosystem functioning; Ecosystem services; Land use; Optimization
• ISSN: 1462-9011; 1873-6416
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2014.07.004

•We examine impact on the ecosystem services (ESVs) brought by land use changes in China.•We model spatial difference and optimize China's land use structure to max total ESVs.•We find the assigned ESVs per unit in three coastal regions presented relatively higher values than in the inland regions.•The total ESV decreased by 1.52% due to land use changes.•Our optimized land use pattern for 2020 can increase the ESVs by 1235.70 billion RMB compared with the government's land use plan by 8.05%. Land use changes can affect ecosystem services values (ESVs). In this study, we used crop yield data, ESV empirical data for different terrestrial ecosystems, land use data, and development policies in China to examine the impact of land use changes on ESVs, to compare their spatial differences, and to optimize China's land use structure to maximize the total ESVs using a Linear Programming Model. We found that the assigned ESVs per unit in the three coastal regions presented relatively higher values than in the inland regions. A total of 21.1% of China's land has been converted to other land use types; the conversion rates for different regions indicate the following: east>northeast>mid-south>north>southwest>northwest. The total ESV decreased by 1.52% due to land use changes, which were mainly distributed in the northwestern, northeastern, and northern regions. The primary transitions that decreased ESVs, included an expansion of built-up land in most regions, decreased woodland in the northeast, and the degradation of grasslands in the northern, southwestern and northwestern regions of China. Our optimized land use structure for 2020 could increase the ESV by 1235.70 billion RMB; when compared with a comprehensive land use plan presented by Chinese government, this would increase the percentage by 8.05%. This result seems to be an effective approach for land managers to consider.