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Quantifying Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs/Synergies and Their Drivers in Dongting Lake Region Using the InVEST Model

Author

Listed:
  • Zheng Li

    (School of Computer and Mathematics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Jingfeng Hu

    (School of Computer and Mathematics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Silong Hou

    (School of Computer and Mathematics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Wenfei Zhao

    (School of Computer and Mathematics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Jianjun Li

    (School of Computer and Mathematics, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China)

Abstract

[Objective] To quantify key ecosystem services within the Dongting Lake region, clarify the trade-off/synergy relationships, and detect the driving factors in order to support the ecological sustainable development of the Dongting Lake region. [Methods] Using the InVEST model, taking the area around Dongting Lake as the study area, four ecosystem services including water yield, carbon storage, soil conservation, and habitat quality were quantitatively assessed. Interdependencies between ecosystem services were assessed using correlation analysis to quantify trade-offs/synergies, and the geodetector model was used to detect their driving factors. [Results] (1) From 2000 to 2020, the soil retention service and water yield service in the Dongting Lake area showed an increasing trend over time. The total water yield increased from 4.93 × 10 10 m 3 to 6.71 × 10 10 m 3 , while the total soil retention increased from 4.46 × 10 9 t to 5.77 × 10 9 t; habitat quality and total carbon storage continued to decline, with habitat quality decreasing from 0.6906 to 0.6785 and carbon storage decreasing from 1.480 × 10 9 t to 1.476 × 10 9 t. (2) In the study area, significant synergistic effects existed between carbon storage and habitat quality, carbon storage and soil retention, carbon storage and water yield, habitat quality and soil retention, and soil retention and water yield. However, there was a significant trade-off relationship between habitat quality and water yield. (3) During the study period, ecosystem service trade-offs and synergy relationships in the Dongting Lake area were jointly influenced by natural factors and human activities. Ranked by the magnitude of driving factor influence, they were land use type, land use intensity, vegetation coverage, temperature, and nighttime light. [Conclusions] Synergies dominated the ecosystem services in the research region, and the influence of natural factors behind them was greater than that of human activities. These research conclusions offer a scientific foundation for the institutional construction of the ecological compensation mechanism in the Dongting Lake basin.

Suggested Citation

  • Zheng Li & Jingfeng Hu & Silong Hou & Wenfei Zhao & Jianjun Li, 2025. "Quantifying Ecosystem Service Trade-Offs/Synergies and Their Drivers in Dongting Lake Region Using the InVEST Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:13:p:6072-:d:1693322
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Yongge Li & Wei Liu & Qi Feng & Meng Zhu & Jutao Zhang & Linshan Yang & Xinwei Yin, 2022. "Spatiotemporal Dynamics and Driving Factors of Ecosystem Services Value in the Hexi Regions, Northwest China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-21, October.
    2. Yuchun Wang & Yufeng Ang & Yingying Zhang & Yunfeng Ruan & Bingyi Wang, 2025. "Identification of Ecological Functional Areas and Scenario Simulation Analysis of the Wanjiang Urban Belt from a Trade-Off/Synergy Perspective," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-28, February.
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