Changes in ecosystem services in a montane landscape impacted by major earthquakes: A case study in Wenchuan earthquake-affected area, China

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2021.107683
• Publication Date: 2021-04-14T00:19:53Z
• Authors: Yanan Duan; Baofeng Di; Susan L. Ustin; Chong Xu; Qiang Xie; Shaolin Wu; Jierui Li; Ruixing Zhang
• Keywords: Earthquake; Ecology; 13. Climate action; Climate; Human activities; 11. Sustainability; Ecosystem services; Driving forces; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; QH540-549.5; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Earthquakes are one of the most serious natural disasters, threatening ecological balance and security. Ecosystem services (ESs) reflect multiple functions an ecosystem. However, based on catastrophic contributions various factors to ESs recovery have not been previously quantified. We follow after 2008 Wenchuan earthquake gain insight into these processes. To quantify ESs, biophysical models were applied, including scenario simulation Geodetector methods that used explore driving forces. concluded as follows: in overall study area, showed insignificant but undulating increase from 2001 2017, indicating had slight long-term effects. In vegetated areas denuded by co-seismic landslides, loss was twice non-denuded areas, damaged did recover pre-earthquake levels 2017. Overall, climate change main force, directly related local a more obvious impact especially elevation geomorphic types. More than three quarters area increases, with (accounting for 40.26%) its interactions non-climate 45.91%) contributed restoration, respectively at low elevations subalpine mountains. Nearly quarter still degraded, which proportion representing non-climate-driven increased 20.68%). The intensity degradation mainly concentrated XI X regions where landslides dense, influential factors. therefore recommend post-disaster reconstruction stage, attention should be paid restoration maintenance service frequent secondary so maximize benefits projects seek socio-economic environment collaborative development.