Promoting Balanced Ecological-economic Development in Ecologically Vulnerable Regions: Spatio-temporal Variation and Driving Factors

Formulating a consistent standard for ecosystem service value (ESV) estimation and incorporating it into government decision-making is an important way to achieve balanced ecological-economic development. Taking the ecologically vulnerable areas in Northwest China as an example, this paper uses the value transfer method to estimate the ESV of cropland, forest, grassland, waters, and unused land; analyzes the spatio-temporal characteristics of the increment of ESV (△ESV) and ecological-economic harmony (EEH) index in each city; as well as identifies their key influential factors. The results suggest that value transfer is a feasible approach to developing a consistent standard for ESV estimation. The ecological-economic system is limited by the natural environment, economic growth, local government, population, and the development of agriculture and livestock. The main factors that affect unit ESV, total ESV, and EEH are connected but vary across space. The findings can provide a reference for estimating ESV across regions, formulating policies for land management and ecological protection, and promoting sustainable development.