Complex regional telecoupling between people and nature revealed via quantification of trans‐boundary ecosystem service flows

Abstract Quantifying and mapping trans‐boundary ecosystem service (ES) flows can help identify dependencies responsibilities for promoting economic development environmental sustainability between nations, but few studies have focused on ES beyond national boundaries. Our case‐study region—Central Asia—hosts one of the largest dryland areas in world, this is vulnerable to climate variability anthropogenic impacts. Understanding supply, demand essential supporting human wellbeing, livelihoods development. In study, we mapped four including freshwater provision, food carbon sequestration cultural (recreation) services five Central Asian nations Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan Turkmenistan year 2016. We quantified spatial patterns supply at local regional scales, driven by heterogeneity socio‐economic development, revealed complex telecoupling nations. Kazakhstan provided greatest amount other countries, especially provision sequestration, while Uzbekistan was biggest beneficiary, from services. analysis helps understand rich interdependencies people nature different countries. This information policy making balance ecological needs, enhance management natural capital, sustain our metacoupled world. A free Plain Language Summary be found within Supporting Information article.