Comparison of changes of typical river segment ecosystem service value in LRGR

Abstract

Land use changes of river segment ecosystems from the Lancang River and Yuanjiang River were studied from 1985 to 2000 in order to compare their changes of service values and analyze the driving mechanisms based on eco-economic and GIS methods. Results showed that forest areas in both the river segment ecosystems were reduced. The reduced forest in the Lancang River (LR) segment ecosystem was mostly transformed into glebe with the conversion rate of 56.0%, while the reduced forest in the Yuanjiang River (YR) segment ecosystem was mostly transformed into residence land with the conversion rate of 42.5%. Both change amount and change rate of areas of each land use type in the LR segment ecosystem were much larger than those in the YR segment ecosystem. The total service value of the LR segment ecosystem was decreased with the change rate of 15.3%, while that of YR segment ecosystem was increased with the change rate of 0.6%. Manwan Hydropower development was the major anthropogenic driving factor which led to the change of service value of the LR segment ecosystem with the contribution rate of 93%. Agricultural activities were the most important driving factors in the YR segment ecosystem with the contribution rate of 59%. The loss of value of Sediment transportation service resulting from Manwan Hydropower Project construction should take responsibility for the significant decrease of service value of waters, even for the whole LR segment ecosystem. The ecosystem service coefficients of forest and grassland in the study area were much higher than the average level in China, so were the ratios of indirect value to direct value of both the river segment ecosystems. Under the impacts of human activities, the capacity of river ecosystem for providing products was enhanced, while it was weakened to maintain natural ecosystem health.

Wetland economic valuation approaches and prospects in China

“…Total economic value (TEV) is the sum of the values of all wetland ecosystem service flows from providers to beneficiaries over the given spatial and temporal scales. Freshwater consumptive use Provision of water for domestic, irrigation, drinking, and industrial water storage Wei et al, 2007 Freshwater non-consumptive use Power generation and transportation Wang et al, 2010a Fiber and fuel Production of timber, straw hats, fuel wood, peat, fodder, etc. Morrison et al, 2012 Biochemical and medicinal Extraction of medicines and other materials from wetland biota Morrison et al, 2012 Regulating services…”

“…Climate regulation Regulation of greenhouse gases, temperature, humidity, precipitation, and other climatic variables Engle, 2011 Air quality regulation Capturing and mitigating dust and particulate matter like PM 2.5 Costanza et al, 1997 Hydrological regimes Alteration of hydrological indicators that influence groundwater recharge/ discharge and overland flow Wei et al, 2007 Water purification and waste treatment Waste treatment by retention, dilution, and removal of water pollutants, such as excess nutrients and contaminants Engle, 2011 Spencer andHarvey, 2012 Erosion control Retention of soils thus reducing wind erosion and water erosion Wei et al, 2007 Natural hazard regulation Dampening the magnitude of extreme flood and storm events Engle, 2011 Biological Primary production The assimilation or accumulation of energy and nutrients by vegetation or alga Tong et al, 2007 Notes: For this classification system (de Groot et al, 2002;MA, 2005), the ecosystem services span the full array of wetland ecosystems (i.e., river, lake, marsh, reservoir and pond, coastal wetlands). The cited references are ecological and economic case studies that either assessed the biophysical quantities or economic values of wetlands Most development decisions are decided on economic grounds thereby making it important to accurately assess the monetary consequences of these decisions.…”

Hydrological and Sediment Transport Simulation to Assess the Impact of Dam Construction in the Mekong River Main Channel

“…These dams are the first constructions in history to have blocked the Mekong River (Hu et al, 2009;Zhai et al, 2010). The social impacts and the effects on watershed ecosystems downstream of these dams as transboundary environmental issues has brought international attention (Bai et al, 2009;Cui et al, 2007;Tilt et al, 2009;Wei et al, 2007;Webby et al, 2007).…”