Ecological indexes for the analysis of the spatial–temporal characteristics of ecosystem service supply and demand: A case study of the major grain-producing regions in Quzhou, China

Identifying the characteristics of spatial and temporal changes in the ecosystem service (ES) supply and demand can provide visual and effective information for ecosystem management and decision-making. However, it is difficult to identify spatial and temporal changes in ES because of complex and dynamic relationships and the lack of methods available for integrating the total supply and demand of ES. In this paper, from the perspective of the relationship between the ES supply and demand, two ecological indexes, namely, the match degree of supply and demand (MD-supply-demand), and the coordination degree of supply and demand (CD-supply-demand), were formulated using an analytical framework for ES potentials, flows, and demands. Taking a case study of Quzhou County in Hebei Province, China, as an example, the characteristics of spatial and temporal changes in ES were analyzed using the spatial analytical techniques of a geographical information system (GIS). The results showed that MD-supply-demand and CD-supply-demand were capable of characterizing the spatial and temporal changes in the regional ES supply and demand. In 1985–2015, Quzhou County exhibited a decrease in its MD-supply-demand, indicating a decrease in the carrying capacity of ES. In addition, the study area also presented a decrease in its CD-supply-demand and significant changes in different zones, indicating a decrease in the sustainability of the ES supply and demand. These findings demonstrate that MD-supply-demand and CD-supply-demand are useful indexes for characterizing the relationship between the ES supply and demand and can be used as practical tools for ecosystem management to analyze the characteristics of spatial and temporal changes in ES.