Response of ecosystem services in Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Project to differing engineering measures scenarios

Changed land use patterns are the most direct manifestation of ecological engineering implemented by humans, being among the driving factors for changes in ecosystem services (ESs). However, different ecological engineering governance measures can lead to different changes in land use, resulting in corresponding changes to ESs and ecosystem service value (ESV), yet these changes is the content that needs to be clarified. In this study, four kinds of ESs, namely water yield, soil conservation, carbon storage and water purification, were quantified in part region of the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Project (BTSSCP). In addition, eight scenarios were simulated according to the land use change caused by engineering management measures, and the ESs and ESV ensuing under these differing scenarios quantified accordingly. The results show that the main land use types in the study area from 2000 to 2020 were cropland and forestland, while during this period land use change mainly consisted of the expansion of grassland (+466.79 km2) and loss of cropland (-2095.27 km2). For different engineering management measures, protective governance will play a greater role in improving ESs than restoration governance. Protecting the existing governance outcomes from degrading can maintain a water yield of 36.85 x 108 m3, soil conservation of 73.72 x 106 t, carbon storage of 89.01 x 106 t, the purified water nitrogen content of 1.21 x 106 t, with the total ESV maintained at 54.237 billion yuan. Moreover, the high-investment counties clearly engage in ecological restoration that provides high ESV. Yet, there are still some counties with high project investment where the gains in ESV are low, such as Luanping county and Pingquan county. Therefore, it should be reasonably distributed based on the existing governance results in the next round of project investment allocation. In the past 20 years, engineering governance measures have significantly improved the ESs in the region. Nevertheless, looking ahead, it remains necessary to strengthen the emphasis on protecting governance outcomes.

Automated summary

Changed land use patterns, influenced by ecological engineering governance measures, have significant impacts on ecosystem services and ecosystem service value. In this study, four ecosystem services were quantified in the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Project area, and the effects of different land use change scenarios on ecosystem services and value were simulated. The results showed that protective governance measures had a greater role in improving ecosystem services compared to restoration governance. Strengthening the emphasis on protecting governance outcomes is necessary for future ecological engineering projects.