Value Assessment of Artificial Wetland Derived from Mining Subsided Lake: A Case Study of Jiuli Lake Wetland in Xuzhou

Abstract

Mining subsided lakes are major obstacles for ecological restoration and resource reuse in mining regions. Transforming mining subsided lakes into artificial wetlands is an ecological restoration approach that has been attempted in China in recent years, but a value assessment of the approach still needs systematic research. This paper considers Jiuli Lake wetland, an artificial wetland derived from restoration of a mining subsided lake in plain area, as a case study. A value assessment model for the artificial wetland was established based on cost-benefit analysis by means of field monitoring, social surveys, GIS geostatistics, raster calculation methods, etc. Empirical analysis and calculations were performed on the case study region. The following conclusions were drawn: (1) after ecological restoration, ecosystem services of Jiuli Lake wetland which has become a national level wetland park yield positive values; (2) the improved environment of the Jiuli Lake wetland has a spillover effect on the price of surrounding land, resulting in land price appreciation; (3) using GIS geostatistics and raster calculation methods, the impact range, strength, and value of the spillover effect can be explicitly measured; (4) through the establishment of a value assessment model of the artificial wetland, incomes of the ecological restoration was found to be sufficient to cover the implementation costs, which provides a research foundation for economic feasibility of ecological restoration of mining subsided lakes.

Wetlands in China: Evolution, Carbon Sequestrations and Services, Threats, and Preservation/Restoration

“…At the same time, farmland was returned to wetlands to restore the ecological services of wetlands in terms of water conservation and storage [47][48][49]. In the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, measures such as returning farmland to lakes, to rivers, and to beaches have been taken to expand wetland areas and realize the sustainable development of the regional ecology and economy [50][51][52][53]. In coastal areas, protection and restoration projects have focused mainly on key estuarine wetlands and important wetlands for migratory birds.…”

Assessing the ecological regime and spatial spillover effects of a reclaimed mining subsided lake: A case study of the Pan'an Lake wetland in Xuzhou

“…As an important stage of mine production and construction, land reclamation serves as an important means to minimize environmental damage caused by mining and to restore local ecological balance [13]. In recent years, several mining subsided lakes in China have been transformed into artificial wetland parks according to local conditions using land reclamation techniques as a means of ecological restoration [14]. The rectification of mining subsidence lake areas is a challenging stage of mining area ecological restoration and resource utilization.…”