Threshold effects of vegetation increase on ecosystem services based on the constraint line method in the Loess Plateau gully Zone
Numerous ecological restoration projects (ERPs) in China aim to reverse ecosystem degradation and enhance human well-being through vegetation increase. However, the nonlinear impacts (e.g., threshold effects) of vegetation recovery on ecosystem services (ESs) remain inadequately explored. This study...
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Elsevier
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25004005 |
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| author | Xiaoman Liu Wenwu Zhao Bingbing Gao Li Yu Jingfang Yuan Tao Liang Chao Wang Qian Zhou Yizhong Huan Guangjin Zhou Jixi Gao |
| author_facet | Xiaoman Liu Wenwu Zhao Bingbing Gao Li Yu Jingfang Yuan Tao Liang Chao Wang Qian Zhou Yizhong Huan Guangjin Zhou Jixi Gao |
| author_sort | Xiaoman Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Numerous ecological restoration projects (ERPs) in China aim to reverse ecosystem degradation and enhance human well-being through vegetation increase. However, the nonlinear impacts (e.g., threshold effects) of vegetation recovery on ecosystem services (ESs) remain inadequately explored. This study quantitatively assessed the spatiotemporal evolution of fractional vegetation cover (FVC) and three ESs in the Loess Plateau Gully Zone from 2000 to 2020, examining their spatial correlations across multiple scales. Using the constraint line method, we simulated ES response curves to FVC changes and identified the threshold of FVC influence. The results showed that: (1) from 2000 to 2020, FVC increased significantly, with noticeable variations in ESs changes: carbon sequestration rose markedly, soil conservation showed moderate improvement, and water yield declined. (2) over 95% the area exhibited a significant positive correlation between FVC and both carbon sequestration and soil conservation, whereas 43.95% of the area displayed a strong negative correlation between FVC and water yield; (3) FVC demonstrated a threshold effect on ESs, with vegetation coverage thresholds for carbon sequestration, water yield, and soil conservation identified at 77.64%, 66.67%, and 71.45%, respectively. Additionally, we reveal the intrinsic mechanisms underlying FVC’s constraint effects on ESs and its practical applications. These findings offer novel insights for policy formulation on regional ecological restoration. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ba79a2a31e1f452dba8993d34f7b02fd |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1470-160X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecological Indicators |
| spelling | doaj-art-ba79a2a31e1f452dba8993d34f7b02fd2025-08-20T02:20:15ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2025-05-0117411347010.1016/j.ecolind.2025.113470Threshold effects of vegetation increase on ecosystem services based on the constraint line method in the Loess Plateau gully ZoneXiaoman Liu0Wenwu Zhao1Bingbing Gao2Li Yu3Jingfang Yuan4Tao Liang5Chao Wang6Qian Zhou7Yizhong Huan8Guangjin Zhou9Jixi Gao10Satellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Institute of Land Surface System and Sustainable Development, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, ChinaChinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, ChinaSchool of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing, ChinaNanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Nanjing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, ChinaSatellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, ChinaSatellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, ChinaCollege of Humanities and Development Studies, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China; College of International Development and Global Agriculture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, ChinaSatellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China; Corresponding authors.Satellite Application Center for Ecology and Environment, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Remote Sensing, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Beijing, China; Corresponding authors.Numerous ecological restoration projects (ERPs) in China aim to reverse ecosystem degradation and enhance human well-being through vegetation increase. However, the nonlinear impacts (e.g., threshold effects) of vegetation recovery on ecosystem services (ESs) remain inadequately explored. This study quantitatively assessed the spatiotemporal evolution of fractional vegetation cover (FVC) and three ESs in the Loess Plateau Gully Zone from 2000 to 2020, examining their spatial correlations across multiple scales. Using the constraint line method, we simulated ES response curves to FVC changes and identified the threshold of FVC influence. The results showed that: (1) from 2000 to 2020, FVC increased significantly, with noticeable variations in ESs changes: carbon sequestration rose markedly, soil conservation showed moderate improvement, and water yield declined. (2) over 95% the area exhibited a significant positive correlation between FVC and both carbon sequestration and soil conservation, whereas 43.95% of the area displayed a strong negative correlation between FVC and water yield; (3) FVC demonstrated a threshold effect on ESs, with vegetation coverage thresholds for carbon sequestration, water yield, and soil conservation identified at 77.64%, 66.67%, and 71.45%, respectively. Additionally, we reveal the intrinsic mechanisms underlying FVC’s constraint effects on ESs and its practical applications. These findings offer novel insights for policy formulation on regional ecological restoration.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25004005Ecological restorationFractional vegetation coverEcosystem servicesThresholdConstraint effectLoess Plateau |
| spellingShingle | Xiaoman Liu Wenwu Zhao Bingbing Gao Li Yu Jingfang Yuan Tao Liang Chao Wang Qian Zhou Yizhong Huan Guangjin Zhou Jixi Gao Threshold effects of vegetation increase on ecosystem services based on the constraint line method in the Loess Plateau gully Zone Ecological Indicators Ecological restoration Fractional vegetation cover Ecosystem services Threshold Constraint effect Loess Plateau |
| title | Threshold effects of vegetation increase on ecosystem services based on the constraint line method in the Loess Plateau gully Zone |
| title_full | Threshold effects of vegetation increase on ecosystem services based on the constraint line method in the Loess Plateau gully Zone |
| title_fullStr | Threshold effects of vegetation increase on ecosystem services based on the constraint line method in the Loess Plateau gully Zone |
| title_full_unstemmed | Threshold effects of vegetation increase on ecosystem services based on the constraint line method in the Loess Plateau gully Zone |
| title_short | Threshold effects of vegetation increase on ecosystem services based on the constraint line method in the Loess Plateau gully Zone |
| title_sort | threshold effects of vegetation increase on ecosystem services based on the constraint line method in the loess plateau gully zone |
| topic | Ecological restoration Fractional vegetation cover Ecosystem services Threshold Constraint effect Loess Plateau |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25004005 |
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