An Analysis of the Spatial Heterogeneity of the Functioning of Ecosystem Services Related to Land-and-Water Resources

The types and quality of services are provided to humans by ecosystems vary widely across the earth's landscapes. As human population increases, people are placing increasing importance on ecosystem services and the topic has moved to the forefront of human concerns. This paper analyses regional differences in the functioning of ecosystem services related to land-and-water resources based on panel data collected in 2011 and establishes an index system that can be used to evaluate the functioning of ecosystem services. Furthermore, 31 regions were clustered and compared using an evaluation matrix that considers the current level and pace of economic development in those regions. First, results show that a certain level of spatial heterogeneity exists among the ecosystem services provided by land-and-water resources in different regions of China; this heterogeneity is closely connected with the current conditions and speed of economic development. Second, the services provided by ecosystems appear to function and perform better in north, east and northeast China, in areas with stronger economic development, but a limited history of past development. Finally, ecosystem services perform poorly in north China, south China, Tibet, and northwest and southwest China in areas that exhibit different speeds of economic development.