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The Valuation And Its Dynamic Modelling Of The Grassland Ecosystems

Posted on:2006-07-28Degree:DoctorType:Dissertation
Country:ChinaCandidate:Z B YuFull Text:PDF
GTID:1103360152992392Subject:Grassland
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
The valuation of ecosystems has become a hot issue in the protection of the global environment, however, how to evaluate the values and dynamics of rangeland ecosystems is a basic theoretical problem of the hot issue to be solved with the first priority, and has now attracted universal attention all over the world. The integrated studies of the valuation and its dynamic modeling of the rangeland ecosystems have involved in theories and methodologies of botany, restoration ecology, systems ecology, ecological economics etc., so this dissertation reviewed the lately theoretical developments of related research fields. On the basis of systematic analyses and summarization of the previous and present researches on ecosystems restoration, ecological economic valuation, the foundational theoretical framework presented for studying the values and their dynamics of the rangeland ecosystems. In order to evaluate and demonstrate the potential of values of rangeland ecosystems through case study, this dissertation focus on the rangeland ecosystems in Shilin-gaole, Inner Mongonia. Some combined valuation techniques including traditional and lately developed valuation methodology are applied to the dissertation. The main research efforts and conclusions as follows:1)Analyzed and explored theoretical framework, types, examples and existing problems related to valuation of natural capital, ecosystem services and environment, studied the backgrounds, strategies and types of ecosystem restoration researches, and discussed the perspectives and directions of valuation of rangeland ecosystems.2) The detailed framework and components for studying the dynamics and valuation of the rangeland ecosystems were established, which are very helpful for decision-making and measure dynamic values of rangeland ecosystem. Many development decisions are made on economic grounds. By providing a means for measuring and comparing the various benefits of rangeland, economic valuation can be powerful tools to aid and improve wise use and management of the rangeland . In the past, rangeland have been undervalued because many of the ecological services, biological resources and amenity values they provide are not bought and sold and hence are difficult to price. The new framework consists of 4 components:(l)Valuation of ecological capital;(2)Valuation of ecosystem functions and services;(3)Valuation and its dynamic modeling of processes of ecosystem restoration;(4)Management suggestions. The dissertation presented a new valuation framework of ecological economic systems combined dynamic modeling, process analysis, and management researches together, which is very useful for decision making of ecological investment.3) The dissertation uses an alternative measure of value, based on real contributions to system performance, termed emergy, spelled with an "M". It is a new concept, which quantifies "energy memory" in products and process. It is an accounting unit of total contributions, direct and indirect used in generation of a product or service. It is a concept derived from understanding whole systems, their interactions and interdependence, and the resources driving and maintaining them. This broader approach could help us to investigate resources utilization and potentialities and exchange in eco-economic system. In the process of developing a more quantitative approach to assessing the valuesof ecosystems, hybrid terms, like "natural capital" and "environmental services" have been used to refer to the structure, and function of ecological systems. According to results of case study in Shilin-Gaole rangeland, Emergy evaluation of grassland ecosystem in Shilin-Gaole rangeland was conducted to assess the relative values of several ecological functions(sometimes called ecosystem services) and main ecosystem storages(sometimes called natural capital).Emergy evaluation of ecosystem services yielded total emdollar values of services is about 7285em$/hm2/yr, and the emdollar value of natural capital of grassland ecosystem in Shilin-...
Keywords/Search Tags:Grassland Ecosystem of Shilin-Gaole, Ecological services, Natural Capital, Replacement Value, Simulation
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