Recreation Service Supply–Demand Relationship and Driving Mechanism Analysis in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, China

ABSTRACT Clarifying the relationship between the supply and demand of recreation service not only enhances our comprehension of how cultural ecosystem services impact human well‐being, but also offers a theoretical foundation and scientific basis for developing regional landscape management strategies. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on static or short‐term spatial heterogeneity analyses of recreation service, or have evaluated recreation service at only a single scale. Here, we assessed recreation service from a spatiotemporal dynamic perspective in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, discussing the spatiotemporal characteristics and driving forces of recreation service supply and demand at the multi‐scales. The results indicated that both the supply and demand for recreation service increased, with the supply–demand reachability indicator growing at an annual rate of 0.0017. However, recreation service supply and demand exhibited significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. A supply–demand deficit emerged in the southwestern areas. Recreation service demand was higher in regions with elevations below 500 m and slopes under 15°, while recreation service supply was greater in steeper (> 25°) areas, revealing marked vertical heterogeneity. Recreation service supply was positively influenced by socioeconomic factors (0.32), but negatively affected by climatic and soil factors. Recreation service demand experienced the strongest positive influence from socioeconomic factors (0.83), which was exerted entirely through direct effects, but was negatively influenced by soil factors. Recreation service supply exhibited a positive effect on supply–demand reachability (0.76), while recreation service demand demonstrated a relatively stronger negative influence (−0.98). Consequently, we propose practical landscape recommendations and strategies for fostering the recreation service supply and demand dynamic equilibrium and promoting regional sustainable development.