Spatiotemporal evolution and driving forces of ecosystem service values in the Yellow River Delta

Natural protected areas, as critical foundations for China’s ecological security, play an irreplaceable role in maintaining ecosystem services. Investigating the spatiotemporal evolution and driving factors of ecosystem service values (ESVs) in natural protected areas is essential for policymakers to develop scientific strategies that promote sustainable development. This study focused on the Yellow River Delta to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution, interrelationships, and driving factors of ESVs in coastal areas and areas along the Yellow River. The results indicated that: From 2000 to 2023, ESVs in both coastal areas and areas along the Yellow River showed a steady upward trend, with obvious characteristics of spatial distribution differences, in which the coastal areas have the highest ESV, followed by the areas along the Yellow River, and lastly the non-coastal zone and non-Yellow River areas. The Shell Island and Wetland National Nature Reserve demonstrated a high water conservation value, while the Yellow River Delta Nature Reserve (Yellow River estuary) exhibited a high soil retention value. In addition, the interrelationships between different ESVs showed significant spatial differences, and although the areas along the Yellow River typically exhibited stronger ESV synergies than coastal areas, the occurrence of high − high synergies was more common in the coastal areas. Wetland area had been identified as the primary driving factor for ESV changes in coastal areas, with changes in reservoir pit area having a significant effect on ESVs. For areas along the Yellow River, the main driving factors had included river area, reservoir pit wetland area, DEM, the area of natural protected areas, and fram yield. In overlapping areas, the main driving factors for ESV changes had been per capita disposable income and DEM.