1.Water Conservation and Ecological Environment Laboratory of Qinghai Water Conservancy &;Hydropower Survey Planning and Design Institute Co. ,Ltd. ,Xining 810000,China
2.College of Forestry;and Grassland,College of Soil and Water Conservation,Nanjing Forestry University,Nanjing 210037,China
Objective This study aims to clarify the spatiotemporal characteristics and coupling coordination relationships of ecological functions (EFs) in different vegetation zones, reveal the impact of climate and land use changes on them, and provide a new scientific basis for regional ecosystem management. Methods Taking the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau Ecological Shelter (QPES) as a case study, the InVEST, RUSLE, and CASA models were used to assess water yield (WY), soil conservation (SC), and carbon sequestration (CS) in different vegetation zones. Based on the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model, the spatiotemporal variations in the coupling coordination relationships of EFs across different vegetation zones were analyzed. Furthermore, the geodetector model was applied to examine the impact intensity of climate and land use changes on the coupling coordination relationships of EFs in different vegetation zones. Results (1) During the study period, WY, SC, and CS first increased and then decreased in the alpine steppe, alpine meadow, and temperate desert zones. SC and CS first increased and then decreased in the alpine forest and subtropical coniferous forest zones, while WY first decreased and then increased. WY and SC first increased and then decreased, while CS continued to increase in the alpine desert zone. (2) The highest CCD of EFs was observed in the subtropical coniferous forest zone, with mean values of 0.402, 0.411, and 0.420 in 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. In contrast, the lowest CCD of EFs was found in the temperate desert zone, with mean values of 0.068, 0.117, and 0.109, respectively. (3) Climate change dominated the spatiotemporal variations in the overall coupling coordination relationships of EFs in the study area. However, fractional vegetation cover, as an indicator of land use changes, should not be overlooked in local regions. Its impact on variations in coupling coordination relationships of EFs was the greatest in the alpine steppe zone, with an intensity of 0.204. Conclusion To address the variations in the coupling coordination relationships of EFs across vegetation zones, it is necessary to promote coordinated management of regional ecosystems and implement zonal, differentiated ecological protection and restoration measures to improve ecosystem integrity and connectivity, ultimately constructing high-quality ecological security shelters.
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