This study maps and compares the spatial distribution of ecosystem service (ES) supply and demand in Savannakhet province, Laos. It finds that ES supply is highest in forested and shifting cultivation areas, while food provision is concentrated in lowland agricultural zones. In contrast, demand is more evenly distributed across the landscape. The analysis identifies limited trade-offs (notably between food production and biodiversity) and several synergies, particularly among water-related services and tourism. Supply hotspots are located in less intensively used ecosystems, whereas demand hotspots are widespread. The results highlight the importance of preserving multifunctional landscapes amid increasing agricultural intensification, and provide a spatial basis for targeting interventions to better align ES supply with local demand.
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