Integration of ecosystem service composite index and driving thresholds for ecological zoning management: A case study of Qinling-Daba Mountain, China

Ecological zoning management is key to achieving synergistic ecological protection and coordinated regional development. Existing zoning methods are mostly based on functional attributes in a static state, which makes it difficult to capture the dynamic evolution of ecosystems and reveal their underlying mechanisms of change, thus limiting the possibility of precise regulation in practice. This study, using the Qinling-Daba (QB) Mountains as an example, thoroughly identifies thresholds between ecosystem service and driving factors, incorporates them into the ecological zoning system construction, and further formulates differentiated management measures. The results showed that the ecosystem services composite index (ESC) in the QB exhibited an overall increasing trend, characterized by a south-high, north-low distribution from 2000 to 2020. Geosocial factor predominantly exerted a negative impact on ESC but showed a tendency to weaken, while the climate-ecological factor demonstrated a positive influence with a tendency to strengthen. A nonlinear relationship was observed between ESC and key factors, with sensitive thresholds identified for the strength of impact and critical thresholds for maximum supply. In 2020, the enhancing areas were concentrated in the western QB characterized by complex terrain and a relatively fragile ecological environment; refining areas accounted for 84.12 %, distributed in the central region; protected areas were concentrated in the southeast region with better water and heat conditions. This study provides a new perspective and new pathways for zoned management, holding significant importance for enhancing refined management of mountain areas.