The Comprehensive Management Of Yi River, Linyi City, And Its Ecosystem Services Values Assessment

Rivers are playing an important role for the development of cities. Water resources not only is the source of life, the lifeline of agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry, but also is the basis resources for the existence and development of cities. Linyi City, located in southeast Shandong Province, China, is a Prefectural-level city. It has experienced rapid economic and urban development since China opened its economy to the world in 1978. Affected by traditional economic-oriented development mechanisms, Linyi City has focused on the development of heavy industries (building materials, metal works, electrical, and mechanical), which are characterized by high emission levels and resource consumption, and inefficient resource use. This in turn has influenced the water resources in Linyi City. Coupled with an increase in ecological awareness and the development of tertiary industries, especially in logistics and tourism, Linyi City has paid greater attention to the protection of water resources and the comprehensive management of rivers. As one of the most projects of comprehensive management of rivers, Yi River comprehensive management basically achieved its goals of "storing a river with clean water, building an economic zone, developing a landscape line".This study is focus on the following two parts: 1) Analysis of engineering measures of comprehensive management of Yi River; and 2) Ecosystem services assessment of comprehensive management of Yi River in urban area of Linyi City. At the first part, the engineering design, design principles and main measures of comprehensive management of Yi River were analyzed. Based on this part, the comprehensive management of Yi River contributed to improving urban security from flood control and water supply in urban area, improving urban water environment by developing water conservancy facilities, developing urban water landscapes, developing water culture, and developing water economy.At the second part of this study, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Ecosystem Services Values Assessment (ESVA) were introduced as valuation methods aiming to analyze the land uses and to assess the Ecosystem Services Values provided by the Ecosystem Services of Yi River. Based on this part, the comprehensive management of Yi River contributed to improving urban water environment, promoting the ecosystem services in urban area and maintaining the ecosystem balance.This study has shown that comprehensive management of Yi River can purify a city's wastewater, improve the health of local residents, and promote the urban environment by coordinating socio-economic development while protecting the environment and ecosystems. The findings from this study will help to advise decision-makers and the public about the benefits of comprehensive management of rivers and to promote further comprehensive management of rivers, not only in Linyi City but also in other regions in China.