ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Study on the Impact of Land Use Variations
in Uncontrolled Areas of the Middle and Lower
Reaches of the Yellow River on Ecosystem
Service Values under Multiple Scenarios
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1
School of Tourism, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
2
College of International Education, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
Submission date: 2025-02-16
Final revision date: 2025-03-18
Acceptance date: 2025-04-13
Online publication date: 2025-06-03
Corresponding author
Liqin Han
School of Tourism, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang 453007, China
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ABSTRACT
Variations in land use and land cover (LULC) patterns are the principal driving factors affecting
the ecosystem service value (ESV). Quantitatively exploring ESV variations is crucial for achieving
sustainable development in typical regions. The uncontrolled area in the middle and lower reaches of
the Yellow River (UAMLYR) is highly vulnerable to precipitation impacts, subsequently influencing
the ESV of this area, in view of the absence of reservoirs for water interception and storage. Based
on the LULC data from 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, the variations in LULC were analyzed using
a LULC transition matrix. The driving factors of ESV spatial differentiation and their response to LULC
variations were studied via the improved equivalent factor method, geographical detector, and Pearson
correlation analysis. The patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model was employed to emulate
the spatiotemporal evolution of LULC and ESV under four scenarios. The results indicate that farmland
is a major LULC type in the research field, serving as the primary source for transitions to other
LULC, with construction land being the type with the largest area of inflow. ESV in the region showed
a downward trend from 1990 to 2020, and under four scenarios in 2030, the ESV was higher than that
in 2020. Ecological conservation scenarios increased total ESV dramatically, while town development
scenarios were more beneficial to the urbanization process. Soil erosion has the greatest impact on ESV,
and human activities further enhance the impact on ESV. These research findings contribute to the
construction of a new pattern of territorial spatial development and protection in the region and provide
relevant references and theoretical foundations for ecosystem research in other similar regions around
the world.