Spatiotemporal Differentiation of Ecosystem Service Value and Its Drivers in the Jiangsu Coastal Zone, Eastern China

Abstract

Analyzing the spatial and temporal evolution of ecosystem service value (ESV) and the driving mechanisms of spatial differentiation are fundamental to exploring the sustainable development of regional ecosystems. This article selected a coastal region in southeastern China with rapid economic development as the study object. Based on the five land-use remote sensing data sets from 2000 to 2019, the benefit transfer method was used to evaluate the ESV in the coastal zone of Jiangsu Province, revealing the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of ESV more accurately. Meanwhile, using the panel data regression model delved into the driving mechanisms of ESV spatial heterogeneity. The results showed the following: (1) There was a marked change in land use types from 2000 to 2019, with significant reductions in cropland and water areas and continued urban land expansion. The overall ESV in the study area exhibited a downward trend (8.41%), with regulation and support services being its core functions. (2) The ESV distribution had a distinct spatial differentiation, with hotspots mainly located near the coastal zone and cold spots in towns and surrounding areas. (3) There were considerable differences in the degree of impact of each influencing factor on different types of ESVs. On the whole, land use intensity had the most significant impact and was the first driver, followed by climate change and socioeconomic factors. The findings indicate that future ecosystem management decision-making should involve the conservation and intensive use of land resources and guide human livelihood and production activities toward ESV preservation and appreciation.