Table 2 Information on the driving factors of ecosystem services
Factor type | Variable | Description |
|---|---|---|
Climate | MAT | MAT can influence many ecological and biological processes that underpin ecosystem services, such as plant growth, species distribution, evapotranspiration, and decomposition |
MAP | MAP directly affects water availability and associated processes, such as plant growth and distribution, erosion control, and water conservation | |
Topography | DEM | DEM reflects the terrain and topography of a region, which affects various ecological processes (e.g., water flow and distribution, sediment transport) and human activities |
Slope | Slope determines the speed and direction of surface water flow and the ability to retain soil and resist erosion | |
Landscape | Landscape division index | A larger landscape division index reflects a greater degree of landscape fragmentation, which reduces ecosystem connection and functions |
Soil | Thickness | Soil thickness can affect root penetration, nutrient availability, and water holding capacity, with direct consequences for ecosystem functions |
pH | Soil pH influences nutrient availability and microbial activity, which are crucial to many ecological processes that underpin ecosystem services | |
SOC | SOC plays an integral role in soil health, fertility, and texture, directly influencing carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, erosion control, water retention, and soil biodiversity | |
Bulk density | Bulk density reflects soil structure, with consequences for soil aeration, water infiltration and retention, nutrient availability, and plant growth | |
Vegetation | NDVI | NDVI directly reflects vegetation health and productivity, which can affect multiple services such as carbon sequestration and erosion control |
Human | Population density | Population density can reflect the level of human disturbance, which negatively affects ecosystem functions and services |
Distance from road | Road construction can disrupt ecological connection. A long distance from road reflects a low level of human disturbance | |
Nighttime light | Nighttime light can disrupt natural light–dark cycles and influence plant physiology and species interactions, with consequences for ecosystem structure and functions | |
GDP | GDP reflects economic activities that both depend on and impact ecosystems |
