Identifying conservation priority zones and their driving factors regarding regional ecosystem services

Conservation priority zones (CPZs) are the most valuable critical areas for maintaining functions of ecosystem. Identifying CPZs and their driving factors of ecosystem services (ESs) is an essential foundation for preventing environmental degradation. The main aims of this study were to determine the CPZs according to the multi-year averaged ESs and investigating the driving factors of ESs in CPZs. We first assess the spatiotemporal variation of typical ESs using biophysical models and linear regression. Then, CPZs are identified by utilizing the ordered weighted averaging combined with conservation efficiency index. Finally, geo-detector is employed to reveal the dual-factor interaction on ESs in CPZs. Results show that net primary productivity and habitat quality have significant temporal variations. Given protecting multiple ESs, scenario 2 is the optimal scenario for CPZ with average protection efficiency of 1.78. Slope and precipitation interactively affect soil conservation. The dual drivers of habitat quality and water yield are both related to land cover, whereas net primary productivity has no dual drivers. Our study provides critical theoretical and practical support for the optimization and management of protected areas to improve ecosystem conservation.