Value Realization of Grassland Ecosystem Products in the Karst Desertification Control Area: Spatial Variability, Drivers, and Decision-Making.

Transforming the ecological advantages of grassland ecosystems into economic benefits while ensuring their long-term health is an urgent but challenging question, particularly in karst areas characterized by significant spatial heterogeneity. This study selected three representative karst desertification control (KDC) areas within the South China Karst (SCK) as the research focus. Utilizing the quantified values of ecosystem products and their realization rates, we applied a random forest model to analyze the influencing factors. We found that: (1) The gross ecosystem products (GEP) of grassland per unit area increase with the severity of karst desertification. Conversely, the value realization rate decreases as the grade of karst desertification increases, contradicting the theoretical assumption that higher GEP correlates with a high value realization rate. (2) Water, soil, climate, and bare rock coupled with human activities (e.g., ecological engineering) affect the structure of the grassland GEP, which, in turn, affects the value realization rate of grassland ecosystem products in the KDC area. Based on our findings, we suggest that economic leapfrogging can be achieved through artificial grassland engineering in ecologically disadvantaged areas, challenging the conventional belief that a more fragile ecological environment results in poorer economic advantages. However, it is important to note that plant species diversity in artificial grassland in areas with severe karst desertification is low, and the trade-off and equity between ecology and economy must be carefully considered in future planning. Our findings can serve as a reference for subsequent phases of grassland ecosystem restoration for sustainability in ecologically fragile areas, particularly within the KDC regions.