Spatiotemporal Network Evolution and Configuration Analysis of Ecological Space Service Value in Arid Zones

Investigating the spatial correlation characteristics and configurational pathways of ecological space service value (ESSV) is of importance for alleviating urban ecological pressure. This study, focusing on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in China, employs the modified value equivalent method, gravity model, and configurational analysis model to elucidate the spatiotemporal evolution mechanisms of ESSV. The results demonstrate that: (1) The extent of ecological space decreased sharply (328.25 km2), primarily converting to other ecological space. Among these, the grassland ecological space experienced the largest reduction (215.34 km2), whereas the decline in forest ecological space was relatively modest (58.85 km2). (2) ESSV showed a fluctuating but overall increasing trend, with ΔESSV dominated by negative changes. Spatially, the pattern was characterized by higher values in the west, lower values in the east, and a contiguous high-value area in the central region. (3) The network of ESSV exhibited multiple connections and multiple cores, with the strength of network linkages continuously strengthening and showing a trend of expansion from the central region toward the south and north. (4) High ESSV depends on the configurational effects of multidimensional resilience factors. Several configurational modes were identified, including single-core resilience-driven and multi-dimensional resilience synergy-driven modes.