Spatial-temporal pattern of ecosystem service supply-demand and coordination in the Ulansuhai Basin, China

Accurately quantifying the spatiotemporal patterns in ecosystem service (ES)1 supply and demand and their coupling coordination dynamics, as well as identifying the spatial heterogeneity of the influencing factors for coupling coordination degree are necessary for regional sustainable development. This study used the Ulansuhai Basin in Inner Mongolia Province of China as a case to quantify the supply, demand, and supply-demand ratio of ES (meat production, grain production, carbon storage, water yield, nitrogen purification, and phosphorus purification) from 2000 to 2020. The synthesized coefficient of ES supply (ESCI)2 and demand (ESDI),3 the match degree of total supply and demand (MD),4 and the coupling coordination degree (CD)5 were taken as indices to explore the relationship between the ESCI and ESDI and the coordination relationships. A mixed effects model was used to determine the spatial heterogeneity response of CD to different influencing factors. The results showed that the total ES supply in the Ulansuhai Basin always met the demand. The area with the highest ESCI was always observed in the Urad Front Banner, while Linhe district had the highest ESDI. Although incoordination improved from mild to superior from 2000 to 2020 at the basin scale, significant spatial variations were observed at the county scale. In addition, the variation in CD was significantly correlated with population, followed by precipitation, and cropland area. The findings comprehensively explore the match and coordination between ES supply and demand, and the spatial heterogeneity of the effects of the influencing factors on CD. Our study can contribute to the formulation of future policies for regional ecological restoration and sustainable development.

Automated summary

This study quantified the supply, demand, and supply-demand ratio of ecosystem services in the Ulansuhai Basin from 2000 to 2020. The results showed that the overall supply met the demand, but there were significant spatial differences at the county level. Additionally, population, precipitation, and cropland area were found to have significant impacts on the coordination of supply and demand.