Quantitative Evaluation of Coordinated Development between Ecological and Economic Systems in a Coal-Intensive City in China

Abstract

This study assessed the dynamic variations in ecosystem service value (ESV) in response to land-use changes under rapid urbanization and evaluated the coordinated relationship between economic development and ecological conservation by establishing the eco-economic harmony (EEH) index evaluation model. Taiyuan, the resource-based city in China, was selected as a study area. The results show that the total ESV in Taiyuan increased from 8.95 billion Yuan in 2005 to 9.31 billion Yuan in 2016. The ESVs of all land-use types experienced a decrease except for woodland and grassland. Climate regulation and hydrology adjustment were the dominant two ecosystem service functions in the study area. The ESV of climate regulation increased the most (382.62 million Yuan) but water supply decreased the most (−47.91 million yuan). The relationships between economic development and ecological conservation have experienced the evolution process of low conflict–potential crisis–low conflict from 2005 to 2016, indicating that the contradiction between economic development and ecological conservation is becoming increasingly serious over time. Therefore, scientific land-use policies and environmental protection strategies are urgently needed for achieving a sustainable development. This study provides valuable guidance for sustainable urban planning decision-making on maintaining the balance between economic development and ecological conservation under rapid urbanization.