Interactions between changes in land cover and potential of ecosystem services in Lithuania at temporal and spatial scale

Abstract

The growing interest in ecosystem services is mainly related to land use changes. The aim of the study is to analyse spatial-temporal changes in the capacity to supply of ES in Lithuania based on land use changes in 1990–2018. The results show some balance between loss and gains of ecosystem services capacity due to land use changes. Decrease in heterogenous agricultural areas had negative impact on provision of ecosystem integrity and services. Considerable increase in scrubland and herbaceous vegetation areas significantly increased the ecosystem service potential. The conversion of former agricultural land to less intensively managed ecosystems enhance the potential of valuable habitats for biodiversity and ecosystem services associated with natural grasslands, moors and heathland, transitional woodland shrubs. The urbanization process along with increase in urban fabric areas had little effect on ESs potential since artificial vegetated areas had compensated the loss of ESs due to increased areas of urbanized ecosystems. Despite the area of open spaces slightly increased, this led to decrease of provision of ESs. Temporal changes in overall ESs capacity indicated an increase in Lithuania over the last two decades. Given the observed dynamic context of land cover, the structure of ecosystem services may face potential threats from land use change due to urban development and agricultural activities.