Optimal ecological restoration strategy development based on value-cost trade-offs

Ecological restoration can provide a holistic and systemic perspective for the implementation of ecosystem protection and restoration projects. However, making decisions on optimal ecological restoration strategies remains a challenge. This study supports strategy development by balancing ecological improvement and economic viability. In this study, we took Huanghua, a county under provincial jurisdiction in China, as an example. We identified areas prioritized for ecological restoration by employing the research paradigm of "sources-resistance surface-corridors-nodes". In addition, we searched for Pareto-optimal solutions using the nondominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) to balance the trade-offs between different objectives. The results of this study revealed that 46 ecological barriers were identified as priority ecological restoration areas in Huanghua, mainly for cropland and construction land. Three optimal ecological restoration strategies with high value cost ratio, high ecological value, and low implementation cost were proposed for typical ecological restoration priority areas for different decision-making needs. Area I has the highest value cost ratio, whereas Area II and Area III have the same value cost ratio, and it is most appropriate to prioritize restoration for Area I. When the investment budget is lower than the implementation cost of ecological restoration, ecological restoration projects with a high value cost ratio are often chosen. This study constructed a methodological framework for formulating optimal ecological restoration strategies, which effectively enhanced the science of the decision-making process. The results provide a highly valuable scientific basis for developing ecological restoration strategies in Huanghua. • A methodology for developing an optimal ecological restoration strategy is proposed. • The implementation cost and ecological value are jointly incorporated into ecological restoration decisions. • Three different preferred ecological restoration objectives were explored on the basis of the Pareto optimal solution. • High value-cost ratio areas are suitable for priority restoration. • When the budget is lower than the cost, high value-cost ratio restoration projects are often chosen.