Trade‐Offs/Synergies and Drivers of Ecosystem Service Sustainability at Multiple Scales: Insights From the South China Karst

A new study reveals that ecosystem service sustainability (ESS) in the South China Karst region exhibits complex trade-offs and synergies that vary with time and spatial scale. While habitat quality and carbon sequestration have declined, water yield, soil conservation, and food provision have improved, with more gradual changes observed at the watershed scale compared to county-level variations. The research highlights that social and terrain factors predominantly influence habitat quality, while vegetation and climate play significant roles in shaping soil conservation, carbon sequestration, and water yield. Notably, climate and terrain interactions often result in negative indirect effects on ESS sustainability, particularly at larger scales. To enhance ecological management, the study advocates for multi-scale approaches that prioritize synergistic management between supply and demand to resolve conflicts and achieve balanced outcomes.

Chen, Y., Xiong, K., Luo, L., Zhang, S., & Chen, J. (2025). Trade‐Offs/Synergies and Drivers of Ecosystem Service Sustainability at Multiple Scales: Insights From the South China Karst. Land Degradation & Development, 36(16), 5575–5591. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.70021