Abstract:
Performing functional zoning of regional ecosystem services based on their spatial differentiation patterns holds great significance for the high-quality and sustainable development of regional ecosystems. This study investigated the spatiotemporal patterns of ecosystem services in the Hexi region from 2010 to 2022. By identifying ecosystem service clusters using a self-organizing map (SOM), this study divided the Hexi region into different ecological functional zones. The results reveal that from 2010 to 2022, both the water yield and soil conservation presented a cyclical change characterized by a decline first and then an increase. During this period, the carbon reserves trended upward, stabilized, and then decreased, the habitat quality generally remained stable, and the grain yield showed an upward trend overall, except for 2019, when significant fluctuations with changing amplitude of up to 11.30% occurred. Spatially, all the ecosystem services presented higher values in the southeast and lower values in the northwest. The driving factors exerted varying impacts on ecosystem services. Among these, average annual rainfall was identified as a primary factor influencing water yield and soil conservation, while carbon reserves, habitat quality, and grain yield were primarily subjected to the digital elevation model (DEM) and the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). From 2010 to 2022, there was a lack of significant trade-off relationships between various ecosystem services in the Hexi region, with synergy coefficients between them (except for grain yield) all exceeding 0.65. Moreover, their relationship strength did not change significantly. Based on the identified ecosystem service clusters, the Hexi region can be divided into four major ecological functional zones: ecological conservation zone, ecologically vulnerable zone under restoration, oasis zone for agricultural production, and comprehensive function enhancement zone. Corresponding control measures and suggestions tailored to various zones were proposed. The results of this study provide a valuable reference for ecological construction, along with land and space control, in the Hexi region.