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Chinese Journal of Ecology ›› 2026, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (6): 2096-2112.doi: 10.13292/j.1000-4890.202606.012

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Cultural ecosystem service values and driving factors of urban parks in Xi’an, China.

XUE Mengyang1,2,3, BAI Huina1,2,3, LI Linyu1,2,3, HUANG Xiaojun1,2,3*   

  1. (1College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwestern University, Xi’an 710127, China; 2Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, Xi’an 710127, China; 3Shaanxi Xi’an Urban Forest Ecosystem Research Station, Xi’an 710127, China).

  • Online:2026-06-10 Published:2026-12-01

Abstract: As an important component of urban ecosystems, park green spaces have received increasing attention for cultural ecosystem services. We evaluated the cultural service values of park green spaces in four typical parks in Xi’an based on the SolVES model, and examined the spatial differentiation of various types of cultural ecosystem services and their influencing factors. The results showed that: (1) Cultural ecosystem service hotspots in typical urban parks exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity, with high-value areas forming a multi-centered clustering pattern. These areas were predominantly distributed around water bodies and the surrounding zones, while certain plazas, greenways, and sports facilities formed localized clusters. (2) Respondents showed different preferences for the cultural ecosystem service values of typical parks. The cultural ecosystem service values showed substantial spatial heterogeneity. Recreational and tourism and aesthetic values were consistently high, with the maximum value index (M-VI) reaching 9-10 in most parks. The cultural heritage, social relations, and spiritual and religious cultural ecosystem service values varied among parks. (3) The influences of different environmental variables on the main cultural ecosystem service values of typical park green spaces differed significantly. Distance to water bodies was the most critical environmental factor, contributing more than 30% and in some cases over 40%, to multiple value types, followed by mountain shadow and slope, while distance to roads, elevation, and land-use cover had limited effects. This study systematically identified key influencing factors of cultural ecosystem services in typical parks in Xi’an, established a multidimensional value assessment framework, provided a scientific basis for constructing a value assessment model for cultural ecosystem services, and further enhanced the contribution of urban green spaces to residents’ health and well-being.


Key words: park, cultural ecosystem services, valuation, SolVES model