Assessing Changes in the Value of Forest Ecosystem Services in Response to Climate Change in China

Abstract

Ecosystem services are the basis of human survival and development and play an irreplaceable role in maintaining the dynamic balance of the earth’s life support system and environment. This study evaluated the annual forest ecosystem service values (ESVs) and their spatial evolution characteristics from 2001 to 2020 in China and revealed the impact of climatic factors as well. The equivalent factor method was applied to calculate ESVs in combination with net primary productivity (NPP) calculated by the CASA model. The water conservation results based on the InVEST model and equivalent factor method were compared to test the reliability of the method. From 2001 to 2020, the annual forest ESVs ranged from RMB 9.17 trillion to 10.81 trillion, with an average of RMB 9.99 trillion in China. The forest ESVs increased from the northwest to the southeast regions of China with the lowest values of less than RMB 3 million per square kilometer and relatively high values of more than RMB 9 million per square kilometer. In the past 20 years, the forest ESVs have shown a significant increasing trend, especially in the Northeast Forest Region and Southeast Forest Region. The ESVs have decreased only in very few forest areas such as Cuona and Motuo counties on the southern edge of Tibet Province in Southwest China and Pingtung and Kaohsiung counties in southern Taiwan. The mean annual forest ESV was necessarily higher in the recent 10 years (2011–2020, RMB 10.43 trillion) than in the previous 10 years (2001–2010, RMB 9.55 trillion), while the spatial growth rate was usually less than 20%. The annual forest ESVs were significantly correlated with temperature, precipitation and evapotranspiration but not with sunshine hours and relative humidity across the 20 years. In most areas (>60%), the positive impact of various climatic factors was dominant, and the area positively affected by precipitation was the largest (76%). The mean annual forest water conservation from 2001 to 2020 was RMB 1.46 trillion based on the InVEST model and was RMB 1.77 trillion based on the equivalent factor method. Overall, the results obtained by the two methods are roughly equal and mostly spatially matched. This study has some guiding significance for utilizing resources rationally, strengthening ecological environment protection and improving adaptability to climate change.

The Spatiotemporal Evolution and Prediction of Carbon Storage in the Yellow River Basin Based on the Major Function-Oriented Zone Planning

“…Crop yields would increase overall by 32 ± 11 million tons per year in developing countries as the soil carbon pool in the root zone is increased at the rate of 1 tonC/ha/yr [11]. Ecosystems are the basis of human existence and development, and play an irreplaceable role in maintaining the dynamic balance of life and environment on Earth [12,13]. The process of storing atmospheric CO 2 enhances the soil carbon pool, offsets anthropogenic emissions, and mitigates climate warming.…”

Simulation of Land Use and Carbon Storage Evolution in Multi-Scenario: A Case Study in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Urban Agglomeration, China

“…The MPI model thus aids in the formulation and adjustment of land use planning. Furthermore, the results of the MPI model can be integrated with the results of other models to broaden its applications, such as biodiversity and soil conservation [56], calculating ESV [57], and performing landscape pattern analysis [58].…”

Defogging Learning Based on an Improved DeepLabV3+ Model for Accurate Foggy Forest Fire Segmentation

“…Forests are one of the most vital ecosystems on Earth, providing essential ecosystem services such as oxygen and ecological balance [1], as well as serving as habitat and food sources for animals and plants. In addition, forests are important resources for society due to mitigating climate change and reducing carbon dioxide emissions [2]. However, forest fires represent a significant risk to these ecosystems, causing extensive damage and environmental losses globally.…”