The lack of accurate assessment of ecosystem service value in ecologically fragile hilly regions

The gap

Evidence profile

Sourced from the abstract and stated research gap and future-work section of the source papers, classified as general, drawn from work published between 2018 and 2026, spanning 5 journals. Those papers have been cited 294 times in total.

Supporting evidence — 8 representative gaps

• Urban green infrastructure and ecosystem services in sub-Saharan Africa (2018) · Landscape and Urban Planning · cited 267× · doi

  Seven overarching categories of barriers and challenges to the sustainable delivery of ecosystem services emerged from the reviewed papers, namely: (i) socio-cultural values, traditions and perceptions; (ii) lack of capacity; (iii) governance, urban planning and social inequality; (iv) lack of data and/or case studies; (v) ecosystem disservices; (vi) spatial trade-offs and conflicts; (vii) climate change.

  generalabstractevidence 5/5
  Keywords: ecosystem lack seven overarching categories barriers challenges sustainable delivery services emerged reviewed papers namely socio
• Spatiotemporal patterns and nonlinear drivers of urban ecosystem service value across cities in different climate zones (2026) · Environmental Earth Sciences · doi

  The study identifies a gap in understanding the nonlinear effects of climate-related natural indicators on ecosystem service value across cities in different climate zones. The study highlights the limitations of existing ecosystem service value methods in capturing spatial heterogeneity and requiring extensive data.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: study identifies gap understanding nonlinear effects climate-related natural
• Spatiotemporal patterns and nonlinear drivers of urban ecosystem service value across cities in different climate zones (2026) · Environmental Earth Sciences · doi

  Future studies can apply the study's methodology to other cities and regions to quantify the nonlinear effects of climate-related natural indicators on ecosystem service value. Future research can focus on developing more comprehensive and accurate ecosystem service value methods that capture spatial heterogeneity and require less data. Future studies can investigate the implications of the study's findings for urban planning and ecosystem service value assessments.

  generalfuture-work sectionevidence 5/5
  Keywords: future studies apply study methodology other cities regions
• Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Scenario Simulation of Ecosystem Service Value in Ecologically Fragile Hilly Region: A Case Study of Longji Mountain Area in Guangxi, China (2026) · Sustainability · doi

  The lack of accurate assessment of ecosystem service value in ecologically fragile hilly regions. The need for reliable predictions of future ecosystem service value scenarios. The gap in evaluating the effectiveness of different development scenarios on ecosystem service value.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack accurate assessment ecosystem service value ecologically fragile
• Adapting while mitigating: quantifiable contributions of ecosystem services and carbon offset to climate resilience in cities (2026) · Cities · doi

  The lack of comprehensive understanding regarding how different ecosystem services and carbon offsets interact with urban development and climate change impacts. The uncertainty stems from a lack of empirical exploration of the collective impact of ecosystem services and carbon offsets on climate resilience.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: lack comprehensive understanding regarding different ecosystem services carbon
• Ecosystem Services and Disaster Risk Reduction under Climate Change and Wildfire Threats (2026) · Environmental Management · doi

  Assessing the effectiveness of multifunctional ecosystem management in maintaining multiple services simultaneously is a major research gap. The paper identifies the need for further research on the impact of climate change and wildfire threats on ecosystem services. The study highlights the importance of considering multiple ecosystem services in management decisions.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: assessing effectiveness multifunctional ecosystem management maintaining multiple services
• Can Green Scenarios Improve Water Ecosystem Services and Mitigate the Effects of Climate Change? A Case Study in a River Basin in Southeastern Brazil (2026) · Environmental Management · doi

  There is a lack of understanding of the effects of green scenarios on water ecosystem services. The paper identifies a gap in the literature on the impacts of climate and land use changes on water ecosystem services. It highlights the need for studies on the potential of green scenarios to mitigate the effects of climate change.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: there lack understanding effects green scenarios water ecosystem
• Revealing Nonlinear Relationships and Thresholds of Human Activities and Climate Change on Ecosystem Services in Anhui Province Based on the XGBoost–SHAP Model (2025) · Sustainability · cited 27× · doi

  The need for integrated approaches to address biodiversity loss and enhance ecosystems. The lack of understanding of nonlinear relationships and thresholds between human activities, climate change, and ecosystem services. The importance of evaluating the spatial patterns and temporal dynamics of ecosystem services.

  generalstated research gapevidence 5/5
  Keywords: need integrated approaches address biodiversity loss enhance ecosystems

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