Abstract: Ecological conservation and restoration are essential strategies for optimizing territorial spatial patterns. Spatial zoning plays a dual role as both a priority task for systematically implementing conservation projects and a key determinant of restoration effectiveness. However, current research has limitations in refining zoning outcomes and rarely addresses ecological zoning in low-mountain and hilly regions. We conducted county-level ecological zoning in the low-mountain and hilly regions of Fujian Province through three methodological phases. Firstly, we quantified critical ecosystem service (ES) supply and demand using multi-source data and the InVEST model. Secondly, we analyzed ES supply-demand matching through four-quadrant analysis and evaluating coordination relationships using an improved coupling coordination degree (CCD) model. Finally, we established a zoning framework integrating these dual dimensions. We found significant spatial heterogeneity in ES patterns, with supply demonstrating a “high-north, low-south” distribution and demand displaying a “high-southeast, low-northwest” configuration. Spatial mismatches characterize 68.2% of counties, predominantly manifesting as high supply-low demand (43.2%) and low supply-high demand (25.0%) mismatches. The average CCD value of 0.42 indicates basic coordination, and 52.3% of counties remain in either severe or moderate imbalance states. Based on these findings, we propose a hierarchical zoning system comprising four primary zones and eleven secondary zones, each with tailored conservation strategies to address regional ecological challenges. This study provides methodological and decision-making support for ecological zoning in low-mountain and hilly regions.

Key words: ecological protection and restoration zoning, ecosystem services, supply and demand relationship, InVEST model, low-mountain and hilly region