Land use and ecosystem service value spatiotemporal dynamics, topographic gradient effect and their driving factors in typical alpine ecosystems of the east Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: Implications for conservation and development

Shiqu County, China, a representative of alpine ecosystems on the eastern
Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, plays a crucial role in ecological functions.
However, amid the backdrop of climate change and rapid land use
transformation, its delicate alpine ecosystems remain persistently
threatened, including several nature reserves and a Ramsar site within it.
Consequently, this paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the temporal
and spatial evolution, as well as the spatial differentiation
characteristics, of the Ecosystem Service Value (ESV) in Shiqu County from
1980 to 2020, including an examination of its driving factors. The
research findings reveal that: (1) From 1980 to 2020, Shiqu County
experienced a general trend of diminishing unused land, grassland, and
cultivated land, alongside an expansion of forested land, water areas, and
construction land. (2) Throughout the study duration, the ESV of Shiqu
County exhibited a growth trajectory, escalating from 26.180 billion CNY
in 1980 to 26.848 billion CNY in 2020, representing a net increase of
2.55%. Grasslands played the most substantial role in contributing to
Shiqu's ESV. (3) From 1980 to 2020, all ecosystem service functions
exhibited ESV growth, with hydrological regulation and water supply
notably increasing by 9.07% and 8.81%, respectively. (4) With increasing
altitude, slope, aspect, and terrain ruggedness, the land use distribution
exhibits significant vertical zonation, resulting in pronounced vertical
variations in ESV, per unit area ESV, and ESV across various ecosystem
service functions. (5) The spatial differentiation of ESV in Shiqu County
is influenced by both natural and economic factors, with natural factors
exerting a more substantial influence on spatial disparities than economic
factors. The research provides in-depth insights for assessing ecosystem
service values in similar regions. findings hold significance for guiding
land management decisions and policy formulation on the Qinghai-Tibet
Plateau, further advancing the overarching goals of sustainable
development and ecological protection.