Methodology Of The Evaluation For The Intrinsic Value Of Marine Ecosystem

Marine ecosystem is the basis for the development of human economy and society in coastal zone due to its abundant resources and huge service from the ecosystem. It is important to evaluate scientifically marine ecosystem value for the protection of marine and coastal natural resources and the sustainable development of socio-economic system in coastal zone. However, so far, almost all evaluation of marine ecosystem was focused on ecosystem services, which based on the utility of ecosystem value from human perspective, and did not objectively evaluate marine ecosystem itself from natural perspective. It may underestimate the value of ecosystem and its loss due to human development, and damage marine ecosystem and resources. Therefore, the concept of ecosystem intrinsic value and its evaluation are proposed in this dissertation, which based on ecosystem itself, to provide more scientific theory and methodology for ecosystem evaluation, and support the decision-making and management of marine and coastal resources.The theories, approaches and methodologies for ecosystem valuation were summarized and discussed based on literature review. The implication, approach and methodology for the evaluation of the intrinsic value of marine ecosystem were proposed, and applied to case studies. The main achievements and conclusions are as follows:(1) The concept and implication of ecosystem intrinsic value are discussed, and compared to extrinsic value and ecosystem service value. We think that the ecosystem intrinsic value is the value of ecological system itself, its existence and inclusion including its components, structures, functions and processes, does not depend on any contribution or service on human being to be valued, and reflects the value of ecosystem for its own sake. Ecosystem intrinsic value is the basis of ecosystem service value and extrinsic value.(2) The evaluation approach and methodology for the intrinsic value of marine ecosystem were set up. The main steps include that:①determining the ecological boundary of study area based on the principle of ecosystem-based management and the objectives;②collecting all available data;③characterizing intrinsic value according to ecosystem;④evaluating the value of the components and biodiversity of marine ecosystem by using emergy analysis, and the ecological structures and functions by using Eco-exergy analysis, respectively;⑤monetizing energy by using emergy dollar ratio and Eco-exergy dollar ratio;⑥representing synthetically the intrinsic value of marine ecosystem.(3) The main differences between intrinsic valuation and service valuation of ecosystem are summarized as follows:⑦intrinsic value is evaluated from the objectively existing value of ecosystem; elsewise, ecosystem service value is evaluated by the utility of ecosystem to human;②the targets of ecosystem intrinsic valuation are the components, structures, functions and processes of ecosystem; however, the objects of ecosystem services valuation is provisioning, supporting, regulating, and cultural services of ecosystem to human;③the valuation methods of intrinsic value are based on systematic ecology, such as emergy and Eco-exergy, but the valuation methods for ecosystem service are mainly based on economic methods;④the evaluation of intrinsic value depends on the size and attribute of an ecosystem; but service value depends on the utility and scarcity of ecosystem.(4) The approach and methodology proposed for the evaluation of the intrinsic value of marine ecosystem were used to the case studies in Xiamen Bay and Pearl River Estuary. The results showed that①the intrinsic value of marine ecosystem in Xiamen Bay was222.58billion RMB in2010including130.15billion of emergy and92.43billion of Eco-exergy, much higher than the value of ecosystem service with7.27billion RMB and the GDP of Xiamen Marine Industry in2010,24.67billion RMB;②the intrinsic value of marine ecosystem in Pearl River Estuary in2012was768.32billion RMB; and the loss of ecosystem intrinsic value by the construction of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge was377million RMB, which showed a relatively low impact from the project. The results of the case studies indicated the feasibility and scientificity of proposed evaluation approach and methodology for the intrinsic value of marine ecosystem. It is necessary to be integrated into decision-making processes.We think that the value evaluated by emergy represents the existence value of ecosystem, and the value evaluated by Eco-exergy represents the creative value of ecosystem, the energy or ability to do work of ecosystem.