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

Qiaoling LUO, Yijieyi ZHANG, Junfang ZHOU, Xiaoxiao JIA

Landsc. Archit. Front. ›› 2025, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (1) : 56-68.

PDF(17636 KB)
PDF(17636 KB)
Landsc. Archit. Front. ›› 2025, Vol. 13 ›› Issue (1) : 56-68. DOI: 10.15302/J-LAF-0-020028

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

Author information +
History +

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

Cite this article

Download citation ▾
Qiaoling LUO, Yijieyi ZHANG, Junfang ZHOU, Xiaoxiao JIA. Classification and Improvement Strategies for Rural Landscapes Based on Dominant Ecosystem Services. Landsc. Archit. Front., 2025, 13(1): 56‒68 https://doi.org/10.15302/J-LAF-0-020028

References

[1]
Fan, L. , Xu, X. , & Liu, Y. (2019) Rural ecological construction planning in southern Jiangsu Province based on rural revitalization. Planners, 35 ( 11), 24– 31.
CrossRef Google scholar
[2]
Wang, Y. (1996) A theoretical methodology of landscape eco-classification. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 7 ( S1), 121– 126.
[3]
Fan, J. , Wei, C. , & Li, S. (2009) Concept and development of rural landscape. Tropical Geography, 29 ( 3), 285– 289.
CrossRef Google scholar
[4]
Jin, Q., Dong, X., & Zhang, X. (1990). Rural Geography. Jiangsu Education Publishing House.
[5]
Xiao, D. , & Zhong, L. (1998) Ecological principles of landscape classification and assessment. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology, 9 ( 2), 217– 221.
[6]
Li, Z. , Liu, L. , & Xie, H. (2005) Methodology of rural landscape classification: A case study in Baijiatuan Village, Haidian District, Beijing. Resources Science, 27 ( 2), 167– 173.
CrossRef Google scholar
[7]
Zhang, Y. , Hao, J. , Huang, A. , & Zu, J. (2019) Rural landscape classification based on combination of perception elements and remote sensing data. Transactions of the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, 35 ( 16), 297– 308.
CrossRef Google scholar
[8]
Górka, A. , & Niecikowski, K. (2021) Classification of landscape physiognomies in rural Poland: The case of the municipality of Cekcyn. Urban Planning, 6 ( 4), 80– 95.
CrossRef Google scholar
[9]
Zhang, C. , & Fu, R. (2020) The goal setting and realization path of rural ecological revitalization based on ecosystem services. Rural Economy, ( 12), 42– 48.
[10]
Ge, Y. , & Li, F. (2020) Research on the promotion strategy of rural landscape in Beijing based on the identification of dominant ecosystem service. Chinese Landscape Architecture, 36 ( 1), 25– 30.
[11]
Liu, Y. , & Fu, B. (2019) Landscape multifunctionality: Concept clarification, recent progress, and frontier issues. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 39 ( 8), 2645– 2654.
[12]
Liang, F. , Liu, L. , & Qu, Y. (2011) Methodology of agricultural landscape classification with rural scale and its application in planning of new rural construction. Transactions of the CSAE, 27 ( 11), 330– 336.
CrossRef Google scholar
[13]
Li, G. , & Fang, C. (2016) Quantitative function identification and analysis of urban ecological–production–living spaces. Acta Geographica Sinica, 71 ( 1), 49– 65.
[14]
Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Statistics, & National Bureau of Statistics Survey Office in Wuhan. (2022). Wuhan Statistical Yearbook. China Statistics Press.
[15]
Lin, R. , & Cai, Y. (2012) Study on rural multifunction and landscape reformulation in the transitional period. Human Geography, 27 ( 2), 45– 49.
[16]
Xie, H. (2004) Preliminary researches on the functional evaluation of rural landscape. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 24 ( 9), 1988– 1993.
CrossRef Google scholar
[17]
Daily, G. C. (1997). Nature’s Services: Societal Dependence on Natural Ecosystems. Island Press.
[18]
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. (2003). Ecosystems and Human Wellbeing: A Framework for Assessment. Island Press.
[19]
Mao, H. , & Pu, Y. (2022) Study on rural rejuvenation strategy based on cultural ecosystem services: A case study of Longwang Village, Beibei District, Chongqing. Landscape Architecture Academic Journal, 39 ( 3), 39– 47.
[20]
Ministry of Natural Resources of China. (2019). Technical guidelines for evaluating resource and environmental carrying capacity and land spatial development suitability (trial).
[21]
Jiang, C. , Zhang, H. , & Zhang, Z. (2018) Spatially explicit assessment of ecosystem services in China's Loess Plateau: Patterns, interactions, drivers, and implications. Global and Planetary Change, ( 161), 41– 52.
[22]
He, S. , Su, Y. , Shahtahmassebi, A. R. , Huang, L. , Zhou, M. , Gan, M. , Deng, J. , Zhao, G. , & Wang, K. (2019) Assessing and mapping cultural ecosystem services supply, demand and flow of farmlands in the Hangzhou metropolitan area, China. Science of the Total Environment, ( 692), 756– 768.
[23]
Richards, D. R. , & Tunçer, B. (2018) Using image recognition to automate assessment of cultural ecosystem services from social media photographs. Ecosystem Services, 31 ( C), 318– 325.
[24]
Huo, S. , Huang, L. , & Yan, L. (2018) Valuation of cultural ecosystem services based on SolVES: A case study of the South Ecological Park in Wuyi County. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 38 ( 10), 3682– 3691.
[25]
Zhao, Q. , Li, J. , Liu, J. , Qin, K. , & Tian, T. (2018) Assessment and analysis of social values of cultural ecosystem services based on the SolVES model in the Guanzhong–Tianshui Economic Region. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 38 ( 10), 3673– 3681.
[26]
Chen, W. , Liu, X. , Li, H. , Liu, J. , Zhao, X. , Yuan, J. , Zhao, H. , Wang, R. , Xing, L. , Wang, C. , & Luo, X. (2024) Based on MaxEnt model, the change of potential suitable area of cultivated land in Northeast China under the future climate change situation was predicted. Geological Bulletin of China, 43 ( 9), 1515– 1529.
[27]
Luo, B. , Hong, Z. , & Wang, J. (2020) Application of multiple linear regression model in prediction of house price. Computer Era, ( 6), 51– 54.
[28]
Zhang, D. , Wang, X. , Zhang, L. , & Huang, B. (2021) Research on the classification methods of ecosystem service of soil retention for large-scale choropleth mapping. Acta Ecologica Sinica, 41 ( 4), 1391– 1401.
[29]
Wang, C. , & Pan, D. (2017) Zoning of Hangzhou Bay ecological red line using GIS-based multi-criteria decision analysis. Ocean & Coastal Management, ( 139), 42– 50.
[30]
An, J. , Xu, M. , Sun, K. , Tian, Y. , & Meng, B. (2018) Research on delineation of three-level ecological conservation system: A case study in Gaoping City, Shanxi Provice. Environmental Science & Technology, 41 ( 10), 226– 232.
[31]
Rao, E. , Ouyang, Z. , Yu, X. , & Xiao, Y. (2014) Spatial patterns and impacts of soil conservation service in China. Geomorphology, ( 207), 64– 70.
[32]
Laterra, P. , Orúe, M. E. , & Booman, G. C. (2012) Spatial complexity and ecosystem services in rural landscapes. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, ( 154), 56– 67.
[33]
Liu, B. , & Yang, M. (2003) The evaluation quantization model of landscape area and tourism destination—Taking the overall planning of Xuanwu Lake Scenic Area as example. Chinese Landscape Architecture, ( 5), 61– 68.

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)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

© Higher Education Press 2025
AI Summary AI Mindmap
PDF(17636 KB)

Accesses

Citations

Detail

Sections
Recommended

/