TITLE:
Trade-Offs and Synergie Effects of Regulating Ecosystem Services along an Climatic Gradient in Slovakia
AUTHORS:
Jarmila Makovníková, Stanislav Kološta, Boris Pálka
KEYWORDS:
Agroecosystem Services, Climatic Zone, Mapping, Trade-Offs, Synergies
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.12 No.6,
June
26,
2024
ABSTRACT: This study aims to assess the synergies and trade-offs of regulating ecosystem services. Ecosystem services are non-linearly interconnected and changes in one service can positively or negatively affect another. We evaluated ecosystem services based on biophysical indicators using an expert scoring system that determines the corresponding soil functions and is part of the existing databases available in Slovakia. This methodological combination enabled us to provide unique mapping and assessment of ecosystem services within Slovakia. Correlation analysis between individual regulating ecosystem services and climate regions, slope, texture, and altitude confirm the statistically significant influence of climate and slope in all agricultural land, arable land, and grassland ecosystems. Statistically significant synergistic effects were established between the regulation of the water regime and the regulation of soil erosion within each climate region, apart from the very warm climate region. Only in a very warm climate region was potential of regulating ecosystem services mutually beneficial for soil erosion control and soil cleaning potential (immobilization of inorganic pollutants).