Effects of land use and land cover change on ecosystem service values in oasis region of northwest China

Ecosystem services are "the benefits of nature to households, communities, and economies", which can be obtained directly or indirectly from ecosystem structure, functions or process. Land use and land cover change (LUCC) directly affects ecosystem functions and ecosystem service values with far-reaching consequences. Located in a typical Mountain-Oasis-Desert System of arid region, Qiemo oasis is one of the most important oases in Tarim River Basin, China. Taking Qiemo oasis as a case study, this paper analyzed land use and land cover change from 1989 to 2004 using remote sensing images of 1989 and 2004. Furthermore, based on Chinese ecosystem service values of unit area of different ecosystem types, the dynamic changes of ecosystem services value caused by LUCC were evaluated. The results indicated that the area of forest, Gobi desert and Salina land decreased from 1989 to 2004. On the other hand, the area of farmland, water land and building land increased, in which the forest land and farmland changed the most. Area of forest land decreased 41.73% and farmland increased 58.04%. The total ecosystem services value had decreased from 22 265x 104 US$ to 21 373x 104 US$ during the past 15 years. The reduction of forest land was responsible for the reduction of the ecosystem service value. Population increasing and economic development were main driving forces for these changes. At last, some measures were put up for a sustainable development in this region.