Carbon compensation prioritization in the loess plateau based on ecosystem service flows

The design of ecological compensation (EC) programs from the perspectives of the supply, demand, and flow of ecosystem services (ESs) is important for promoting sustainable regional development. In this study, the supply-demand levels of carbon sequestration (CS) on the Loess Plateau (LP) in 2001, 2010, and 2020 were analyzed, interregional flows of CS were simulated, and an implementation scheme for EC was developed that takes priorities into account by establishing an ecological compensation index that considers for supply-demand risks and flows. The results revealed that the degree of deficit of CS in the LP enhanced from 2001 to 2020, and the total flow rate first increased and then decreased. Based on the prioritization of receipts and payments, an EC program combining vertical and horizontal compensation mechanisms was finally obtained. This study provides a theoretical and practical basis for understanding the flow process of ESs and formulating EC programs.