New pathways for epigaeic arthropods conservation in the northeastern plain of China: Integrating landscape and ecosystem services

Abstract

The impact of landscape change on biodiversity is well established, and the introduction of the concept of ecosystem services has added clarity to the global trend towards reversing biodiversity loss. However, for this to happen, the relationship between landscape and ecosystem services (ESs) and biodiversity must first be clearly understood. We explored the scale heterogeneity of interactions among the three based on a landscape perspective. We analyzed the individual and joint effects of landscape composition/configuration and ecosystem service on epigaeic arthropods, and used SEM models to depict pathways of influence in ecological processes. Results suggest that 25% to 30% of non-crop habitats with landscape connectivity in the 65–70 range can sustain richer biodiversity community structure. Ecosystem service supply and synergistic development have a positive effect on biodiversity. In addition, landscape composition heterogeneity can indirectly affect biodiversity by influencing ecosystem services. Therefore, we believe that combining landscape planning and ecosystem service regulation at the landscape level is a new pathway to conserve regional biodiversity.

Keywords

• Arthropod diversity
• Landscape composition
• Landscape configuration
• Multiple ecosystem services
• Scale heterogeneity