Diagnosing degradation risks of ecosystem services in Wuhan, China from the perspective of land development: Identification, measurement and regulation

Abstract

Diagnosing degradation risks of ecosystem services (ESs) is a cornerstone for achieving sustainable development of the ecosystem and promote human well-being. In this study, we constructed and applied a diagnostic framework for degradation risks of ecosystem services (ESDRs) in Wuhan City, China. First, the risk receptors and risk sources were spatially overlaid to identify and measure the ESDRs. Second, a multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model was applied to identify land development factors that could be used to regulate ESDRs. Finally, the high value areas of ESDRs were clustered and the regression results were used to propose regulatory measures for each clustered zone. Our study showed that the uncontrolled expansion of construction land in Wuhan might weaken the functions of water retention, habitat maintenance and carbon sequestration services, while the functions of habitat maintenance and soil conservation services might be weakened by the expansion of farmland. The five ESDRs identified based on the above results had significant spatial clustering characteristics and spatial heterogeneity. The visual results of the MGWR model suggested that factors of land development could effectively mitigate conflicts between construction or farming activities and ESs. Ultimately, the spatial clusters of ESDRs were scientifically delimited and differentiated regulatory measures were developed simultaneously. Therefore, we argue that land use planning and environmental management in rapidly urbanizing areas should take into account the diagnostic framework of ESDRs in order to protect natural ecosystems.

Keywords

• Ecosystem services
• Degradation risks
• Diagnostic framework
• Risk sources and receptors
• Multiscale geographically weighted regression