Mapping ecosystem services for ecological planning and management: a case from a tropical planning region, Eastern India

Burdwan City experienced an important urbanization trend inducing dramatic land use/land cover (LULC) changes over the past 28 years. However, their effects on ecosystem services value (ESV) remain unknown. The prime objective of this study is to analyze the spatial heterogeneity of ESV in the Burdwan Planning Area (BPA) from 1990 to 2018. Ecosystem service value (ESV) was estimated using the benefits transfer method, and the contribution of LULC was also computed using contribution rate (CR). The dynamics of LULC were also calculated from the change intensity index and single LULC dynamics. The sensitivity of ESVs to LULC using an elasticity indicator between 1990 and 2018 was performed. The results showed that during the entire study period, built-up are and open lands or sand bars increased 362.34% and 42.40%; water bodies, vegetation, and agricultural lands decreased by 33.24%, 7.20%, and 13.66%, respectively, from 1990 to 2018. In case of ESV, total ESVs were US $95.26 (1990), US $95.85 (2000), US $95.42 (2010), and US $91.38 (2018) million. There was a reduction of the total ESV of US $3.88 million between 1990 and 2018. A substantial spatial heterogeneity of ESV between rural and urban landscapes was reported due to variations of ecological landscapes. The main driver of ESs value loss was a rapid conversion of natural land cover (vegetation, water bodies) into semi-natural or artificial landscapes, i.e., urban settlement. Being a planning region, assessing the impact of LULC dynamics on the ESVs is necessary for sustainable urban development and effective urban environmental management.

Automated summary

The city of Burdwan has undergone significant urbanization and land use/land cover changes, impacting the ecosystem services value (ESV). This study analyzes the spatial heterogeneity of ESV in the Burdwan Planning Area from 1990 to 2018 and assesses the sensitivity of ESV to land use/land cover dynamics. The results indicate a reduction in ESV due to the conversion of natural land cover to artificial landscapes, highlighting the importance of sustainable urban development and effective environmental management.