Effects of urbanization on ecosystem service values in a mineral resource-based city

• This research uses Huaibei, a mineral resource-based city in China, during the period of 1990–2011 as a case study.
• It analyzes the relationship between Huaibei's level of urbanization and ecosystem service values.
• Huaibei's level of urbanization has progressed gradually while ecosystem service values increased earlier but dropped later.
• The relationship between the urbanization level and ecosystem service values over time exhibits an irregular inverse “U” shape.

A dramatic urbanization process might severely impact the ecosystem service functions in resource-based regions, affecting the quality of life for the residents. Taking Huaibei, a mineral resource-based city in China during the period of 1990–2011 as a case study, this paper evaluates its level of urbanization and analyzes the relationship between the level of urbanization and ecosystem service values, using Xie's ecosystem unit service value table. The results show that Huaibei's level of urbanization has progressed gradually during the study period while ecosystem service values increased at the earlier time period but dropped in later time. Moreover, the relationship between the level of urbanization and ecosystem service values over time exhibits an irregular inverse “U” shape. From 1990 to 2002, Huaibei's ecosystem service value rose with the growing urbanization level, while it declined from 2003 to 2011. This indicates the possible effect that urbanization weakens the study area's ecosystem service function by altering ecosystem structure, ecological habitat and ecosystem circulation process. This paper provides the evidence why a coordinated development of urbanization and ecosystem service function is needed towards the sustainable management of mineral resources area.