Ecosystem services driving factors and ecological conservation pattern construction, Qinghai-Tibet Plateau
Zongxing Li, Jian Xue, Lanping Si, Fa Du, Juan Gui, Baijuan Zhang
Abstract
Given that the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is an important ecological security barrier in western China, changes in its ecosystem services (ESs) have received attention. Using multivariate datas and model simulations, we evaluated the ESs of the QTP, revealed their driving factors, and constructed ecological conservation pattern based on ecosystem services index (ESI) and ecosystem sensitivity (ES). The results showed that: (1) The overall ESs of the QTP from 2000 to 2020 were positive, with a spatial distribution characteristic of decreasing from southeast to northwest. Forest and grassland were the key land use types promoting ESs. (2) Natural factors had a stronger influence on ESs than socioeconomic factors, with precipitation, FVC (Fractional Vegetation Cover) and NPP (Net Primary Productivity) had the strongest explanatory power for ESs. (3) The proportion of the collaborative development area (CDA), consolidation and enhancement area (CEA) and priority protection area (PPA) to the total area of the QTP was 19%, 56% and 25% respectively. The CDA should follow the concept of natural restoration and green development. The CEA should optimize the management system and do a good job of environmental management in combination with artificial restoration. The PPA should strictly prevent disturbances caused by human activities and protect the originality of natural landscapes such as glaciers, snow and permafrost. • Changes in ESs over long time series at different spatial scales on the QTP were assessed. • Explored the influencing factors of ESs on the QTP. • Constructed ecological conservation pattern of the QTP.