Integrating Ecosystem Services into Ecological Zoning Management: Insights from the Shan-Shui Initiative in China

Ecological conservation and restoration zoning is crucial for sustainable ecosystem management. Understanding the evolution, interrelationships, and driving factors of regional ecosystem services (ESs) provides an important scientific foundation for zoning. The Shan-Shui Initiative is a national-level ecological restoration strategy launched by the Chinese government that advocates an integrated approach to restoring and managing mountains, waters, forests, farmlands, lakes, and grasslands as an interconnected socioecological system. As one of its key demonstration sites, the Oujiang River Headwaters provides a representative case for examining ES-oriented zoning. This study assessed the complex relationships between 6 key ESs and established ecological conservation and restoration zones by combining ES bundles and ES significance. Targeted management strategies are also proposed. Our results revealed substantial spatial heterogeneity, with high-value zones for habitat quality and carbon storage in mountainous areas, whereas water yield and water quality purification showed distinct spatial patterns influenced by climatic and human factors. Positive correlations among most ESs indicate synergistic relationships, although water quality purification consistently showed negative correlations with other ESs, reflecting the adverse impacts of human activities. Socioecological drivers such as land use, landscape pattern, and topography were critical in shaping ES distribution. We identified 4 ES bundles, delineated the Oujiang River Headwaters into distinct ecological conservation and restoration zones based on ES significance, and propose tailored management strategies. This study provides essential insights for guiding sustainable ES management and ecological restoration efforts in rapidly developing areas.