Identification and management of ecological zoning based on the coupling of ecosystem service supply and demand and land use intensity: A case study of the Luan River Basin

Ecological zoning is carried out based on the coupled relationship between ecosystem service quality and land use structure, and corresponding differential management strategies are proposed to facilitate regional sustainable development. Here, taking the Luan River Basin as an example, the critical spatial patterns and matching relationships of ecosystem service supply and demand are evaluated at the township scale. The supply and demand characteristics of various land use types are quantified. Based on the Z-score standardized comprehensive supply-demand ratio of ecosystem services and the comprehensive land use intensity index, ecological zoning is carried out using the quadrant method, and the changes in zoning patterns under different land use development scenarios for 2030 are simulated. The results indicate that: 1) there is significant spatial differentiation in the supply and demand of ecosystem services. Forests and grasslands have high supply levels, with a uniform spatial distribution of supply-demand relationships. Croplands and built-up areas have high demand levels, with significant spatial differences in supply-demand relationships. 2) The overall supply-demand relationship in the watershed shows an oversupply pattern, mainly characterized by the high-high and low-low agglomeration. Among different categories, woodlands have the largest supply-demand surplus and relatively uniform spatial distribution, while construction and arable lands have losses and significant spatial distribution differences. 3) The basin is divided into four ecological zones, and scenario simulations suggest that rational ecological protection contributes to an increase in the surplus of ecosystem service supply and an improvement in land use structure. Blind economic development will exacerbate conflicts between people and the environment and supply-demand deficits. 4) By considering the natural and social characteristics of each zone, differentiated zoning development strategies and ecological protection measures are proposed, facilitating the harmonious development of the regional ecosystem and economy. This study reveals the coordination between the supply and demand relationship of ecosystem services and land use structure, providing new ideas for ecological management in the Luan River Basin.