Assessment of land degradation control in the Three-North Shelterbelt Program Region based on ecosystem service functions

Land degradation has become a major global environmental challenge, leading to reduced land productivity, loss of biodiversity, exacerbated carbon emissions, and disruption of soil functions. Addressing these ecological risks is therefore critically important. Using meteorological, topographic, soil, and remote sensing data from 1985 to 2024, this study quantified the ecological benefits of land degradation control in the Three-North Shelterbelt Program region by assessing four key ecosystem service functions: water conservation, biodiversity maintenance, soil conservation, and wind erosion control. The results showed that (1) ecosystem service functions in the study area exhibit an increasing trend, indicating that land degradation has been partially mitigated across most of the region. (2) Spatially, ecosystem service functions display a clear southeast-to-northwest gradient, with more effective restoration in the wetter southeastern and southern regions, while land degradation risks remain high in the arid central and western areas. (3) Analysis of the relationship between ecosystem service functions and land use types reveals that forest and grassland play a key role in these services. (4) Differentiated protection strategies are necessary for areas with varying levels of ecosystem services. The findings can provide a scientific foundation and technical support for optimizing future ecological programs in the Three-North Shelterbelt Program region and guiding sustainable ecological management in similar areas.