Study on the Evolution Mechanism of Ecosystem Services in Karst Mountainous Areas from the Perspective of Humanities

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Oct 20;19(20):13628. doi: 10.3390/ijerph192013628.

Abstract

Anthropogenic activities have altered ecosystem service functions in the karst mountainous areas. The implementation of ecological restoration projects by the government, the behavior, attitude, and willingness of farmers to participate in their implementation, the application of pesticides and fertilizers, in addition to other socio-economic activities, have had a significant impact on the ecosystem services (ESS) of the region. Taking Guangnan County, a typical karst mountainous area in Yunnan Province, as an example, this study analyzes the evolutionary characteristics of six types of ESS and the driving mechanism of the change in ESS from the anthropogenic macro and micro perspective using questionnaire surveys and the multivariate logistic model. The results showed that (1) ecological restoration projects in the past 20 years have promoted an overall ecological transformation in the typical karst mountainous areas of the Yunnan Province (2) from the macro perspective, and the implementation of such ecological projects is beneficial in increasing soil conservation, carbon sequestration, habitat support, and cultural services. The reduction in agricultural population is beneficial in improving habitat support services, and the increase in the annual average tourism income and the tertiary industry is beneficial in increasing cultural services. Among them, the impact of hydraulic engineering on water production and the tertiary industry on cultural services are the most significant, with the change in the human disturbance index having the most substantial impact on soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and habitat support (3) at the micro level. Increasing pesticide and fertilizer application, willingness and use by farmers has a positive impact on food supply and a negative impact on habitat quality. An increase in the number and willingness of farmers participating in restoring farmland to forests and water conservancy projects was observed. This has a positive impact on soil conservation, water production, and carbon sequestration. Among them, the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has the most significant impact on food supply and habitat support, and the willingness to implement the projects on restoring farmlands to forests has the most significant impact on carbon sequestration. The willingness to implement terracing has the greatest impact on water production and soil conservation, and aesthetic value has the greatest impact on cultural services.

Keywords: Yunnan karst mountain area; climate change; farmers’ behavior and willingness; impact of implementation of ecological engineering; multiple logistic model; social and economic activities.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Conservation of Natural Resources / methods
  • Ecosystem*
  • Fertilizers
  • Humanities
  • Humans
  • Pesticides*
  • Soil
  • Water

Substances

  • Fertilizers
  • Soil
  • Pesticides
  • Water

Grants and funding

This research was funded by The Yunnan Provincial Department of Science and Technology-Yunnan University Joint Fund Key Project (2018FY001-017); The National Natural Science Foundation of China (42061052, 41361020); The Yunnan University Graduate Innovative Talents Training Project (C176230200); and The Yunnan Provincial Department of Education Scientific Research Fund Project (2018Y001).