Global Study Highlights Growing Mismatch in Ecosystem Services Supply and Demand

A recent global study provides a detailed analysis of the supply-demand relationships of four essential ecosystem services—food production, carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and water yield—over the past two decades. Published in Environmental Science and Ecotechnology, the research highlights a troubling trend: while some regions experience ecological surpluses, others face significant shortfalls, particularly in carbon storage and water availability.

The study, conducted by researchers from Nanjing Agricultural University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, utilized satellite data and multi-model coupling to track changes from 2000 to 2020. It found that human activities primarily drive mismatches in food production and carbon sequestration, whereas climate change influences soil conservation and water yield more significantly. Notably, 80.69% of regions saw improved food supply, but 76.74% suffered declines in carbon storage.

Dr. Wei Wu, the study's corresponding author, emphasized the importance of understanding the interaction between climate change and human activity for developing effective land-use and conservation strategies. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and conservationists, suggesting targeted approaches to address specific ecological mismatches, such as investing in climate-resilient infrastructure in areas with declining water yield.

This research underscores the urgent need for global cooperation in sustainable ecosystem governance to ensure that nature continues to support human society amidst growing environmental pressures.