Arid Zone Research ›› 2023, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (9): 1517-1526.doi: 10.13866/j.azr.2023.09.15

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Assessment of ecological protection benefits in the Huangshui River Basin based on ecological assets

SUN Bingqing1(),DU Jiaqiang1(),MAO Jialin1,2,ZHANG Jing1,2,SHENG Zhilu1,ZHANG Yangchengsi1   

  1. 1. Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
    2. College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 712100, Gansu, China
  • Received:2023-02-03 Revised:2023-07-15 Online:2023-09-15 Published:2023-09-28
  • Contact: Jiaqiang DU E-mail:1270492081@qq.com;dujq@craes.org.cn

Abstract:

Ecological assets refer to ecological systems that provide benefits and services to human beings. Assessing changes in ecological assets can objectively reveal the effectiveness of ecological protection efforts. Situated in the transition area between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Loess Plateau, the Huangshui River Basin has a fragile and sensitive ecological environment. It also has the highest population density and socioeconomic intensity in the region, making it the key area for implementing ecological protection policies and projects. By calculating the stock and discharge of ecological assets in the Huangshui River Basin, we comprehensively analyze the spatiotemporal dynamic changes in ecological assets in the watershed, investigate the driving factors behind the gains and losses in ecological assets using the geographical detectors model, and explore the ecological protection benefits in combination with different ecological protection measures. The results are as follows: (1) The comprehensive index of ecological assets in the Huangshui River Basin in 2020 was 30.98, showing a distribution pattern of low ecological assets in the southeast plain and high ecological assets in the northwest mountains. From 2000 to 2020, the comprehensive index of ecological assets increased by 6.71%, indicating an overall improvement in the quality of ecological assets. (2) In 2020, the ecological asset flow value of the Huangshui River Basin was approximately 107.374 billion yuan, with the regulation service value accounting for 69.50%. Over the past 20 years, ecological assets have increased by 83.116 billion yuan, of which 57.123 billion yuan was attributed to regulating services. The regulation of grassland ecological resources primarily contributed to the flow value, which is also influenced by the stock quality of ecological assets. (3) There was a notable spatial difference in the driving influence of ecological asset profit and loss in the Huangshui River Basin. Socioeconomic factors (average contribution of 12.95%) impacted ecological asset profit and loss more than natural factors (average contribution of 10.54%). (4) Ecological assets in the Huangshui River Basin have shown steady improvement, and considerable success has been achieved in ecological protection and restoration. However, the region faces challenges due to the imbalance between natural background restrictions and economic development, leading to significant spatial differentiation in ecological assets and continued pressure on local ecological protection. This study is of great significance for understanding the ecological status of the Huangshui River Basin and guiding the protection of its ecological assets. Overall, the ecological assets of the Huangshui River Basin have improved steadily.

Key words: ecological assets, profit and loss of ecological assets, ecological protection benefits, Huangshui River Basin