LAUSR

Abstract The coastal zone is one of the most valuable ecosystems worldwide because of the diverse and significant ecosystem services (ESs) it provides for human survival and development. Changes in land-use including coastal reclamation and erosion have altered the distribution of coastline and caused substantial changes in the structure and value of coastal ESs. In the past four decades, the mainland coastline in China has undergone extensive changes primarily due to coastal reclamation. This study investigated changes in land-use and spatiotemporal variations in ESs in response to coastline movements in China over the last four decades. The results indicate that land area increased by 1.10 million ha in response to coastline movements in this time period, primarily due to reclamation for aquaculture pond, port, construction land and the development of tied islands. Coastline movements have decreased ecosystem service values (ESVs) by $6.83 billion over the past four decades. Additionally, coastline movements have affected the ESV structure, decreasing the ESVs of erosion prevention and waste treatment functions while increasing the ESV functions of gas regulation and moderation of disturbance. Greater attentions should be paid to the protection and restoration of natural coastal land in China. By assessing the loss of ESVs quantitatively in response to coastline movements, this study provides some suggestions for ecosystem-based management of coastal land in China.