Work

Spatial zoning for sustainable eucalyptus plantations: Optimizing land use via ecosystem service supply-demand matching

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The large expansion of the eucalyptus introduction area has changed the land use pattern, altering ecosystem services (ESE). Thus, studying the relationship between ecosystem service (SDES) supply and demand is essential for regional sustainability. However, extensive eucalyptus plantations often result in inaccurate ecosystem service assessments, ambiguous supply-demand relationships, and uncertain land use effectiveness, threatening ecological deterioration. This study uses the "land use evolution analysis—SDES matching relationship measurement—land use pattern optimization—zoning control strategy" framework. It focuses on Lancang County, a representative area for eucalyptus planting, to evaluate ESE supply and demand, clarify the changing characteristics of the relationship between supply and demand of ecosystem services under different land use types, set up natural development scenarios and optimal scenarios, and proposed land use optimization. SDES alignment is also achieved by land use zoning. The results revealed the following:(1) Land use in Lancang County is dominated by forest land and dryland, accounting for 60% and 25% respectively. Eucalyptus introduction is large in scale, accounting for a small distribution; land use type transfer is dominated by dryland to forest land, accounting for about 1/2, of which there is land use transfer between eucalyptus and various land use types, the introduction of eucalyptus has a significant impact on land use change in Lancang County;(2) The spatial and temporal shifts of SDES in Lancang County is characterized by different ecosystem service supply conditions under different land use types. Overall, the supply of ecosystem services in Lancang County exceeds the demand, resulting in a geographical mismatch area. The matching relationship between ecosystem service supply and demand in Lancang County is related to land use;(3) Based on the land use optimization framework of ecosystem service supply and demand relationship and FLUS model, the study implemented zoning management of land use, and classified land use into three types: Conservation and Development Area, Priority Transfer Area, and Restricted Transfer Area. Based on the land use zoning regulations, it was determined that Lancang County has the potential to cultivate eucalyptus trees in arid areas, shrublands, and unused lands in the future.

Source: Trees Forests and People

DOI: 10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100962