Urban expansion and ecosystem service dynamics: a Suncheon city case study

Abstract

It is crucial to comprehend how changes in land use and cover affect ecosystem services in order to promote sustainable development and tackle the climate crisis. This research presents an innovative framework for assessing the impact of human land use planning on ecosystem services, aimed at developing a sustainable land use strategy that enhances these services in urban settings. Utilizing the Integrated Valuation of Ecosystem Services and Tradeoffs (InVEST) model, the study examines the effects of land use and cover (LULC) changes on carbon storage and habitat quality in Suncheon City between 2007 and 2021. The results indicate that carbon storage initially increased by about 1.6% from 2007 to 2014, followed by a decrease of 5.1% by 2021. Habitat quality similarly rose by 10.6% during the initial period but fell by 14.8% by 2021. These shifts were largely driven by urban expansion, which included the development of park green spaces and garden creation, contributing to increased impervious surfaces. This study could improve the effectiveness of long-term monitoring and evaluation systems for ecosystem services, and guide strategies to integrate ecosystem services into regional planning amidst ongoing environmental changes.