Trade-off/synergistic changes in ecosystem services and geographical detection of its driving factors in typical karst areas in southern China

Scientific measurement and identification of the spatiotemporal differentiation features of ecosystem service (ES) trade-offs/synergies and their controlling factors in karst regions are crucial to the effective distribution of environmental resources. In this paper, Puding County, a typical karst county in southern China, was taken as the study area. The Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Trade-offs model, and other models were used to reveal the spatial stratified heterogeneity and trade-off/synergy relationship of carbon storage, water conservation, soil conservation and net primary productivity. An optimal parameter geographic detector model was used to scientifically identify the drivers of the spatially stratified heterogeneity of the ESs. The research findings are as follows: (1) the carbon storage, WC, SC, and NPP increased by 16.72%, 162.81%, 145.55%, and 177.97%, respectively. (2) Ecosystem services supply was greater than 52% for both paddy fields and dryland. The hot spots of ESs were concentrated in the forest land area, and the cold spots were concentrated in the construction land, dry land, and paddy fields. (3) The water conservation and SC, as well as WC and CS, exhibited diminishing trade-offs. (4) The lithology, slope, annual precipitation, and potential evapotranspiration were the primary drivers affecting the ESs. The lithology ∩ potential evapotranspiration explained 37.48% of the spatial differentiation of the NPP, and the lithology ∩ annual precipitation explained 25.08% of the WC. The findings of this study provide scientific guidance for future efforts to support regional economic growth and the sustainable karst ecosystem development globally.