Do Protected Areas Improve Ecosystem Services? A Case Study of Hoh Xil Nature Reserve in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau

Protected areas (PAs) significantly enhance ecosystem services, as demonstrated by a case study of the Hoh Xil Nature Reserve (HXNR) on China's Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. The research found that HXNR's ecosystem service value (ESV) increased markedly after its designation as protected, contrasting with nearby non-protected areas where ESV declined due to urban expansion and desertification. Hotspot analysis revealed that HXNR's core zones were particularly effective in preserving ecosystem services. The study used remote sensing data, a modified benefit transfer method adjusted with NDVI, and hotspot analysis to compare ESV changes between 1980 and 2018. These findings underscore the critical role of PAs in mitigating environmental degradation and sustaining ecological benefits.

Zeng, J., Chen, T., Yao, X., & Chen, W. (2020). Do Protected Areas Improve Ecosystem Services? A Case Study of Hoh Xil Nature Reserve in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Remote Sensing, 12(3), 471. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs12030471