Ecosystem Stability Assessment with Coupled Quality and Function Characteristics: A Case of Upper Baiyangdian Watershed

Abstract

Quantitative assessments of ecosystem stability are critical to properly understand the internal state of ecosystems and to implement scientific ecosystem management. Historically, ecosystem stability assessments have remained limited in their consideration of ecosystem services. This paper presents a new method for assessing ecosystem stability that combines ecosystem quality and function. We used this method to assess ecosystem stability in the upper Baiyangdian watershed and compared it to a single-indicator approach. Our results showed that the coupled approach was more accurate, especially when assessing ecosystems with low carrying capacity. This new method provides a feasible way to quantify ecosystem stability and inform regional ecosystem management.