Impact of urbanization on regional ecosystem services--- a case study in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

•The Very High level of ES occupied 69% of the GBA in 2020.•Urban expansion occupied 78.48% of areas provided a Very High level of ES.•There was an increasing trend of ES in old urban areas. Ecosystem services (ESs) have been changed significantly due to human and natural interference, especially in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecological indicators 2024-02, Vol.159, p.111633, Article 111633
Main Authors: Yushanjiang, Ayinuer, Zhou, Weiqi, Wang, Jing, Wang, Jiali
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Great Bay Area
Regional Ecosystem Services
Spatial-temporal characteristics
Urbanization
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Summary:•The Very High level of ES occupied 69% of the GBA in 2020.•Urban expansion occupied 78.48% of areas provided a Very High level of ES.•There was an increasing trend of ES in old urban areas. Ecosystem services (ESs) have been changed significantly due to human and natural interference, especially in urban megaregions. Numerous studies have revealed the impact of urbanization on regional ecosystem service(ES). However, the research on whether urban expansion has sacrificed the areas providing high ESs, which played a crucial role in sustainable development, was poorly understood. This study analyzed the spatial variation of ES supply from 2000 to 2020 under the influence of urban expansion in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). The result showed that GBA has witnessed high-seeped urban development, and nearly 50% of urban expansion encroached on cropland, 25% on forestland, and 25% on waterbody from 2000 to 2020. Secondly, The ESs changed significantly due to urban expansion. Importantly, nearly 74.48% and 59.74% of areas that urban expansion encroached on were the ecological lands that provided a very high level of ESs from 2000 to 2010 and from 2010 to 2020, respectively. However, the direct impact of urban expansion on the ecological lands providing a very high level of ESs has been decreased. Additionally, the increase in ESs in old urban areas also has a positive role in the regional ES. This study expects to systematically assess the direct impact of urbanization on regional ES and provide scientific information on land use planning for sustainable development.
ISSN:1470-160X
1872-7034
DOI:10.1016/j.ecolind.2024.111633