Spatiotemporal distribution and driving forces of ecological service value in the Chinese section of the “Silk Road Economic Belt”

Understanding the spatial distribution characteristics and drivers of ecological service value (ESV) in the six northwestern provinces, which are the main components of the Chinese section of the “Silk Road Economic Belt”, is crucial to the sustainable social and economic development of the six northwestern provinces and the countries along the economic belt and informs regional environmental protection policies. Based on the land use data of the six northwestern provinces from 2000 to 2018, the spatial distribution of ESV was determined using the modified equivalent factor method to calculate their ecological service values, and the Geodetector was used to determine the main factors affecting the distribution of ESV. The results show that (1) the total number of ESV in the six northwestern provinces is increasing year by year. (2) The spatial distribution of ESV in the six northwestern provinces varied significantly. (3) The single-factor drivers affecting the spatial distribution of ESV were normalized vegetation index (NDVI) and precipitation, and the multi-factor interactions were NDVI ∩ temperature and NDVI ∩ precipitation, with the above factors contributing most to the spatial distribution of ESV in the six northwestern provinces. Based on the results of the study, it is possible to provide a scientific basis for ecological protection and optimal land management, as well as to propose an applicable methodology for assessing regional ESV for similar regions