Classification and Improvement Strategies for Rural Landscapes Based on Dominant Ecosystem Services

Highlights

	Competing interests  The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
	· Proposes a rural landscape classification method based on dominant ecosystem services
	· Improves cultural service evaluation by integrating the MaxEnt model with POI data
	· Develops rural landscape enhancement strategies from functional optimization and distinctiveness

Abstract

As carriers of rural ecological and cultural systems, rural landscapes provide essential ecosystem services. Using Wuhan, China as a case study, this study explores rural landscape classification and enhancement strategies based on dominant ecosystem services. Six ecosystem services—water retention, water and soil conservation (regulating services), grain production (provisioning service), natural scenic value, scientific, educational, and cultural value, and leisure and recreational value (cultural services)—were evaluated. The cumulative proportion method was applied to classify the results, identifying dominant ecosystem services at the administrative village level. The findings reveal significant spatial variations, with regulating services more prominent in the north and south of the study area, provisioning services in the south, and cultural services in the north. Based on these patterns, rural landscapes of the study area were classified into four major types and eight subcategories, each exhibiting distinct spatial clustering. Finally, improvement strategies were proposed from the perspectives of optimizing functions and landscape distinctiveness development, emphasizing a balance between ecological conservation and economic growth. Recommendations include optimizing industrial structures, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting green agriculture and tourism to strengthen the capacity, vitality, and appeal of rural landscapes. This study provides a new approach to rural landscape classification and offers theoretical and practical insights for rural revitalization.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Rural Landscape / Ecosystem Service / Dominant Function / Landscape Classification / Rural Revitalization / Landscape Enhancement Strategies

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Acknowledgements

· National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 72174158) · National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 72474164) · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 2042023kf0222)

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