Objectively evaluating the spatio-temporal changes in regional eco-environmental quality is an important basis for ecological environmental protection and sustainable development. This paper presents a first attempt to develop a prototype framework that can assess eco-environmental quality from the aspect of landscape structure and ecosystem function. We constructed a general index with which to describe and compare the eco-environmental quality status of two important river basins around Beijing over the past 30 years. The assessment of this study confirmed that the eco-environmental quality in the Daqing River Fuping basin and the Luanhe River Shandianhe basin has changed significantly, with obvious spatial disparity and temporal differences. There were different factors influencing the ecoenvironmental quality in the two regions, but the changes in forest land and grassland area and their associated service functions, as a result of human activities, were the main influencing factors in both basins. The developed framework reflected the spatio-temporal changes in regional eco-environmental quality of the two basins from 1985 to 2015. The evaluation of the framework can provide a reference for the ecological planning of the areas around Beijing. Specifically, this framework can be replicated on different spatial and temporal scales and can represent a new approach for the evaluation of eco-environmental quality in other regions.

Changes in the ecosystem structure and ecosystem service value of the Fuping basin of the Daqing River from 1985 to 2015, as ascertained through remote sensing and a value assessment model, respectively, showed that forest land had contributed the most to the total ecosystem service value, followed by cultivated land and grassland. The ecosystem structure had changed markedly, the area under different land uses showing both positive and negative changes: the positive changes were in construction land (139.57%), forest land (90.66%), cultivated land (68.79%), and water body (6.55%), and the negative changes were in unused land (-83.48%) and grassland (-54.92%). The ecosystem services were valued, in billions of yuan RMB, at 4.429 in 1985, 4.462 in 1990, 4.465 in 1995, 5.808 in 2000, 5.171 in 2005, 5.322 in 2010, and 5.272 in 2015. Of the various ecosystem services, soil conservation made the largest contribution, followed by biodiversity protection, gas regulation, and climate regulation. The ecosystem service value was positively correlated to the area of forest land and negatively correlated to the area of unused land.

Enhancing the carbon sequestration capacity of ecosystems in key regions, such as Chengde City, is crucial for achieving China’s long-term goal of carbon neutrality. This study innovatively applies a comprehensive evaluation model to quantitatively evaluate the spatio-temporal disparity and key factors influencing the ecosystem carbon sequestration capacity in Chengde City over two decades, aiming to provide a solid scientific foundation for local policy formulation and to explore effective strategies for enhancing regional carbon sequestration potential. Based on Land Use and Land Cover Change data from 2000 to 2020, the study employs the carbon sequestration factor method from the “2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories” to quantitatively analyze the carbon sequestration ability of various kinds of ecosystems. Quantitative analysis revealed a 0.56% decrease in the annual carbon sequestration of Chengde’s ecosystems from 17.8215 million tons in 2000 to 17.7214 million tons in 2020, indicating an average annual reduction of 0.0501 million tons. Forestlands and cultivated land, which are primary contributors to carbon sequestration, account for over 80% of the total capacity. Spatial distribution analysis identified Fengning County, Weichang County, and Longhua County as the areas with the most concentrated carbon sequestration capacity, together accounting for over 60% of Chengde’s total annual carbon sequestration. The continuous decline in Chengde’s ecosystem carbon sequestration capacity was closely linked to changes in land use, accelerated urbanization, and rapid economic development. To counteract this observed decline, the study recommends strengthening the construction and management of ecological conservation areas, holistically promoting sustainable agricultural practices, systematically advancing urban greening projects, and actively raising public environmental awareness. These comprehensive measures are expected to optimize land resource utilization, enhance the carbon sequestration functions of ecosystems, and improve ecological security and residents’ quality of life, thereby providing robust support for the sustainable development of Chengde and its surrounding regions.

Located on the southern edge of the Inner Mongolia Plateau in China, the Shandianhe National Wetland Park (SNWP) serves as a crucial stopover for migratory birds in the East Asia-Australasia Flyway. Given the high sensitivity to human interference and the fragile environment, an efficient method of health assessment is essential for the sustainable development of the wetland. This study established a comprehensive health index for the SNWP by utilizing the pressure-state-response model and selecting nineteen evaluation indicators with weights determined through the analytic hierarchy process. By employing a fuzzy comprehension evaluation method, we conducted a thorough evaluation of the current wetland health. The results indicate that the SNWP’s health status was classified as “sub-healthy”, with a comprehensive evaluation index of 3.4177. The state and response layers scored 3.9048 and 3.2605, respectively, both indicating a “sub-healthy” condition, while the pressure layer scored 2.2397, signifying an “unhealthy” state. The study identifies climate drought, grazing, and decreased bird habitat functionality as the primary constraints on the ecological health of the SNWP. This research not only offers a framework for assessing wetland ecosystems in similar regions but also contributes valuable scientific insights for the protection and management of wetlands across China, aiding in compliance with international wetland conventions.