Interactive relationship and zoning management between county urbanization and ecosystem services in the Loess Plateau

•A conceptual framework of coupling relationship between urbanization and ecosystem services was constructed.•Urbanization and ecosystem services were evaluated, and their interactive relationships were explored.•There were significantly negative correlations between urbanization and ecological supply–demand ratio, except for soil conservation.•In 2018, most counties in the Loess Plateau exhibited mild incoordination and basic coordination.•Suitable suggestions were proposed according to different interaction zoning. The interaction between urbanization and ecosystem services (ESs) is a hot topic in the modern human-earth system science. Currently, most studies only focus on the effects of urbanization on ESs supply, few studies have accurately quantified the ESs demand and explored the spatial–temporal coupling interactions between urbanization and ESs supply–demand balance. To address these gaps, this study used process-based modeling to estimate the absolute number of ESs demand. Ecosystem supply–demand ratio (ESDR) is employed to measure the ESs balance. Finally, pearson correlation analysis, coupling coordination degree model, and bivariate local Moran’s I method were used to explore the interactive relationship between urbanization and ESs balance in the Loess Plateau (LP). Results indicated that the LP experienced rapid urbanization with characteristics of faster economic urbanization than land and population urbanization from 2000 to 2018. Negative correlations between construction land proportion and ESDR enhanced over time. Although the coupling coordination degree between urbanization and ESDR increased, most counties were mild incoordination and basic coordination. The spatial interaction of urbanization and ESDR was divided into four types: co-promotion type, ecological lag type, urbanization lag type, and co-loss type. This study can contribute to providing a scientific reference and practical guidance for coordinating ecological protection and high-quality development in underdeveloped areas.