Spatial relationship between land urbanization and ecosystem health in the Yangtze River Basin, China

Ecosystem degradation or restoration? The evolving role of land use in China, 2000-2020

Dramatic land use change in China affects ecosystem degradation and restoration. Identifying the evolving role of land use in ecosystem degradation and restoration in China is essential for sustainable land policy making. However, it is not clear how land use affects ecosystem degradation and restoration over time. Here, we used the revised benefit transfer approach and spatial statistics based on land use data to determine the evolving role that land use plays in ecosystem degradation and restoration in China during 2000-2020. The study results pointed out that the deterioration of the forestland ecosystem during the study period was the main reason for ecosystem degradation, while the conversion of arable land to forestland was the main cause for ecosystem restoration. Every 1% increase of land use intensity in the periods 2000-2005, 2005-2010, 2010-2015, and 2015-2020 resulted in -1.754%, 0.697%, 1.098%, and -0.058% of the changes in ecosystem services, respectively. This study provided important policy implications for future sustainable land use management in China.

Regional differences in spatial determinants of land urbanization in China

China has entered a critical stage of urbanization transition but still faces unbalanced regional development and uncoordinated urban-rural integration. Studying the regional differences in spatial determinants of land urbanization (LU) is crucial to achieving coordinated regional development of urbanization. However, the spatial determinants of LU remain unclear, especially in terms of their regional differences. Therefore, this study introduced dynamic distribution and spatial analysis to measure regional differences in spatial determinants of LU in China. During 1990-2020, the imbalance of LU in China was constantly decreasing, and the differences in LU among different regions were also decreasing. LU in China had significant spatial dependence and spatial spillover effects, and the trend of group development was gradually becoming obvious. LU in eastern region was more affected by natural factors than in central and western regions, while central and western regions were more affected by socioeconomic factors than in eastern region. This study can provide a scientific reference for understanding the spatial disequilibrium of LU and promoting the regional implementation of LU coordinated development.