Ecosystem service supply and demand relationship and spatial identification of driving threshold in Loess Plateau of China

Abstract

Systematically reveals the relationship between supply and demand of ecosystem services (ESs) and the spatial identification of driving thresholds. It is of great significance for the revelation of ecosystem service patterns, problem identification and optimal management. In this study, the evolution law and driving mechanism of ecosystem service supply and demand characteristics in the Loess Plateau from 2010 to 2020 were explored, based on the InVEST model and correlation analysis. The driving threshold spatial application geoprobe model for ecosystem supply and demand balance was identified. The results show that: (1) The findings indicated that between 2010 and 2020, there was a rising pattern in the supply and demand for carbon storage (CS), habitat quality (HQ), and soil conservation (SC). Yet the availability of water yield (WY) diminished as their demand escalated. There was a clear spatial mismatch between supply and demand for HQ and WY. (2) All ESs supply correlations were synergistic. While ESs demand correlations were dominated by carbon-soil and water-soil imbalances. There was a notable interplay between the supply and demand at SC and HQ, alongside a notable compromise between CS and WY. This suggested an imbalance in carbon and water. (3) Climatic and topographic factors were predominantly located in the southeast and northwest for ESs suitability thresholds. SC and HQ demonstrated a balanced relationship between supply and demand within a vegetation factor threshold of 0.69–0.82. Among the socio-economic drivers, WY was mainly distributed in economically developed regions. This study provides some scientific support and insights for regional sustainable development and management.