Ecosystem quality dynamics and attribution in protected areas: An integrated analysis framework based on the structure-function-resilience-pressure.

The ongoing loss of global biodiversity and ecosystem degradation have become pressing challenges requiring urgent solutions. As vital spatial units for biodiversity conservation, the ecosystem quality (EQ) within protected areas (PAs) directly impacts the maintenance of ecological functions and security. However, existing assessment frameworks often fail to capture their integrated socio-ecological dynamics. This study develops a structure-function-resilience-pressure framework to comprehensively evaluate EQ within China's national-level PAs. We employed the optimal parameter geographic detector (OPGD) model to analyze the drivers and interactions influencing EQ in different types of PA. Results reveal a gradual decline and marked spatial heterogeneity in EQ over time. Forest and grassland PAs maintain relatively high EQ stability, whereas animal and paleontological PAs show lower EQ and stronger temporal fluctuations. Multiscale analysis identifies 2 km as the optimal scale, where precipitation and NDVI act as the main natural determinants, while human disturbances like population density and nighttime light have relatively minor impacts. Although the drivers of EQ vary across different types of PA, natural factors remain the primary drivers overall, while human disturbances exhibit relatively lower explanatory power. Meanwhile, the interaction analysis between natural and anthropogenic drivers substantially enhances explanatory power, highlighting the complexity of socio-ecological interactions. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms shaping conservation effectiveness, and offer a scientific basis for adaptive classification and governance of PAs in pursuit of long-term sustainability goals.

• Publication year

  2026

• Venue

  Journal of Environmental Management

• Publication date

  2026-01-01

• Fields of study

  Medicine, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.128600PMID 41519079
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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