Assessing the Impact of Urbanization and Eco-Environmental Quality on Regional Carbon Storage: A Multiscale Spatio-Temporal Analysis Framework

Understanding the mechanisms, intensity, and spatio-temporal heterogeneity of the impacts of urbanization and eco-environmental quality on carbon storage is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality goals. This study constructed a multiscale spatio-temporal analysis framework using multi-source remote sensing data, the InVEST model, and the multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model. Then, the effects of multiple factors on regional carbon storage were assessed in an empirical study involving 199 counties in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei. The results showed that the carbon storage loss in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region from 2010 to 2018 was 58.87 Tg C, with an annual relative loss rate of 0.16%. The MGWR model used in this study explained more than 98% of the spatial variation in regional carbon storage. In contrast, the impacts of various urbanization and eco-environmental indicators on regional carbon storage varied with the spatial and temporal variation. Overall, urban land structure and vegetation growth strongly influenced regional carbon storage resulting from urbanization and eco-environmental quality, respectively. In addition, based on an analysis of spatial context, MGWR suggests that the northwestern mountains in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region have a greater potential to store more carbon than the other regions. This study also details the impact of future sustainable land use on regional carbon storage. Our findings can provide a scientific reference for formulating relevant carbon storage conservation policies.