Spatial and Temporal Evolution Characteristics of the Ecosystem Service Value along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal

The study of the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of ecosystem service values (ESVs) is an important basis for the coordinated development of the regional nature, economy, and society and the optimization of the ecological environment. The ecological zone is an important component of the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal cultural belt. Ecosystem services are a concrete manifestation of land use structure and function. A thorough study of the value of ecosystem services in areas along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal is important for promoting the long-term and stable sustainable development of the regional economy. Based on a revised equivalent factor table, this study selected land use data from 1991, 2006, and 2021 to analyze the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of ESVs along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal. The results show that (1) the ESVs along the Grand Canal first increased and then decreased from 1991 to 2021. The reason for this is the change in land use along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal. Specifically, the conversion of land use types from farmland to water areas contributed to the increase in the value of ecosystem services, while the conversion of farmland and grassland into construction land led to a decrease in the service value of the region. (2) the value of individual ecosystem services along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal from 1991 to 2021 varied greatly. The ESV provided by hydrological regulation was the largest and the ESV provided by maintenance nutrients was the smallest. (3) the areas along the Beijing–Hangzhou Grand Canal exhibited a specific pattern in terms of the value of ecosystem services, with the regions centered in Beijing and Tianjin showing relatively low values, while the middle section of the Grand Canal demonstrated relatively high ESV. According to the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics and the leading factor for the changes in ESVs, appropriate policies can be formulated in respective regions to implement ecological protection and land use planning, thereby providing a reference for the adaptation and restoration strategies of the ecosystem along the Grand Canal.