Unraveling the Differential Impact Pathways of Landscape Structures and Ecosystem Services on “Essential Needs,” “Governance,” and “Objectives” for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Central Asian countries ranked low in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) scores among 166 countries globally in 2024, facing challenges in achieving the 2030 Agenda. Landscape structures (LSs) are considered crucial in advancing the SDGs by supporting the provision of ecosystem services (ESs). Although previous studies have primarily considered the first‐level interactions between LSs and ESs, as well as between ESs and SDGs, uncertainty remains regarding the hierarchical responses among LSs, ESs, and SDGs. To address this gap, this study integrates the traditional relationship between LSs and ESs into the latest SDG classification framework (“essential needs,” “governance,” and “objectives”), aiming to provide a new theoretical framework and methodology for advancing priority actions and achieving the SDGs in Central Asia. This study uses the Dangala and Bukhara regions in Central Asia as case studies. By constructing landscape index tools, ES assessment models, and regression analyses, we quantified the spatiotemporal distribution changes on the basis of 6 LS indices, 5 ESs, and 3 categories of SDGs. Using factor analysis and structural equation modeling, we revealed the differential impact pathways of LSs and ESs on SDGs. Our results indicate that the Dangala region, which is dominated by grasslands, should prioritize SDG 7, SDG14, and SDG15, whereas desert areas should focus on SDG 9, SDG 12, and SDG 13. Importantly, the interactions among LSs, ESs, and SDGs highlight the potential of systematic grassland and desert landscape planning and management to maximize the provision of ESs for sustainable economic, social, and environmental development in arid zones.