11:00 AM - 11:15 AM
[HTT15-08] Geographic Variations in Human Access to Ecosystem Services: A National Assessment of China
Keywords:Ecosystem Services, Ecosystem Service Accessibility, Geographic Inequalities , Spatial Variations, China
In the era of the Anthropocene, understanding the interconnections between human and environmental systems is crucial for advancing sustainability. This study introduces a comprehensive framework to assess the spatial heterogeneity of human accessibility to ecosystem services (HAES) across China at multiple geographical scales, using a 1 km resolution for the year 2020. Leveraging a population-weighted exposure model, the HAES framework integrates two critical datasets: ecosystem service values and population distribution. Departing from previous studies that assume uniform access to ecosystem services, this approach explicitly accounts for uneven population distributions and variations, providing a more nuanced and realistic assessment.
The results offer quantitative insights into human exposure to ecosystem services within a 3 km proximity, revealing significant spatial disparities across China. These disparities closely mirror the spatial distribution of ecosystem services, emphasizing regional imbalances. The study further explores spatial variations in HAES and their relationships with population exposure by comparing patterns across seventeen landscape zones and nine administrative regions. This comparative analysis underscores the critical role of population distribution in determining access to ecosystem services. By identifying regions where ecosystem services are underutilized or where populations lack adequate access, this framework enhances understanding of accessibility across diverse demographic and ecological contexts. The findings provide an evidence-based foundation for targeted management and policy interventions, particularly in urban areas where ecosystem service inequities are most pronounced. This research advances sustainable development by guiding policies prioritizing regions needing enhanced environmental services, ultimately contributing to more equitable and sustainable urban planning.
The results offer quantitative insights into human exposure to ecosystem services within a 3 km proximity, revealing significant spatial disparities across China. These disparities closely mirror the spatial distribution of ecosystem services, emphasizing regional imbalances. The study further explores spatial variations in HAES and their relationships with population exposure by comparing patterns across seventeen landscape zones and nine administrative regions. This comparative analysis underscores the critical role of population distribution in determining access to ecosystem services. By identifying regions where ecosystem services are underutilized or where populations lack adequate access, this framework enhances understanding of accessibility across diverse demographic and ecological contexts. The findings provide an evidence-based foundation for targeted management and policy interventions, particularly in urban areas where ecosystem service inequities are most pronounced. This research advances sustainable development by guiding policies prioritizing regions needing enhanced environmental services, ultimately contributing to more equitable and sustainable urban planning.