How do ecosystem service functions affect ecological health? Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China†

Ecosystem services play an essential role as intermediaries, linking natural ecosystem resources to socio-economic demands. Understanding their impact on ecological well-being is pivotal for ensuring regional environmental security and promoting sustainable societal and economic development. However, there is insufficient research on the relationship between the two. Accordingly, this study explores the evolutionary relationship between ecological health and ecosystem services by constructing an evaluation system. Regression analysis is used to explore the spatial relationship between ecosystem services and ecological health, providing a reference for maintaining the balance between ecological supply and ecological health. The results show that from 1980 to 2020, an overall improvement was observed in the eco-health index of the Yangtze River Economic Belt's. This improvement was notably marked by substantial growth in the eco-vitality index alongside consistent maintenance of the spatial distribution within the eco-organization index. With regard to distributions of specific ecosystem services, dispersed occurrences characterized areas with high water production and crop yield levels; however, within forested regions, attributes for habitat quality preservation, water purification, soil retention and carbon sequestration were predominant. In the impact of ecosystem services on ecological health, food production held sway over less-developed areas, while soil conservation, water supply and habitat quality exerted greater influence over more-developed regions. This study regards ecosystem services as a bridge connecting humans and the environment not only providing a material basis for society but also reflecting the status of ecological health.