Conflict or Coordination? Multiscale assessment of the spatio-temporal coupling relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services: The case of the Jingjinji Region, China

Coordinating urbanization and ecosystem conservation is necessary for future regional sustainability. Understanding the coupling relationship between urbanization and ecosystem conservation has great significance in ecological management and policy making. Based on a comprehensive index system of urbanization and ecosystem services (ESS), this study used the coupling coordination degree (CCD) model and spatial autocorrelation statistical model to evaluate the spatio-temporal coupling interactions of urbanization and ESS in the Jingjinji (JJJ) region at multiple scales from 1996 to 2014, aiming to coordinate development and strengthen regional sustainability. The results showed that although the JJJ region underwent accelerated urban sprawl and urbanization in 1996–2014, the growth of areas such as forests, orchards and water bodies contributed to an overall 4.63% increase in the ecosystem services value (ESV). The dynamic evolution between these two constructs displayed an inverse U-shaped curve and exhibited various characteristics at different development stages and research scales. The urbanization level and the associated changes impacted the natural ecosystems and ESS differently, causing regional differences in ESV per unit area and structural shifts in the ecosystem. During 1996–2014, the CCD between urbanization and ESS in the whole region fluctuated upward, moving from the medium–low stage to the medium–high stage and undergoing a transition from lagging urbanization to lagging ESS. The CCD varied greatly among regions: the spatial similarity between the CCD at the county scale showed that the northern part of the JJJ region presented high-high clusters, while the low-low accumulation areas were mainly distributed in the central southern plain. The overall development trend was good except for the decrease in CCD in some southern counties. The analytical results suggested that the processes that couple urbanization with ecosystems and ESS should be controlled through new urbanization planning, increased sustainable ecological network management, and mutually beneficial cooperation across administrative borders to sustain regional development.