Evaluating Marine Ecosystem Extrinsic Value:Theoretical Analysis, Estimation Methods And Case Studies

Marine ecosystem, as an indispensable component of the global life support system, not only plays an important role in improving global environment and maintaining ecological balance, but also provides important space resources, abundant substantial resources and a variety of ecological services for human, which is an important support for human existence and development. In recent years, marine ecosystem is coming under increasing pressure from the rapid population growth and economic development in coastal area, and the rising demand for marine ecosystem services. Therefore, it is urgent to sustain biodiversity and ecosystem services through better management, valuation, measurement, conservation and restoration for attaining a healthy and productive ecosystem (Griggs,2013). Since the concept of ecosystem service was proposed, it has drawn much attention. However, the researches on marine ecosystem evaluation, including the intrinsic value and extrinsic value estimation, are rare, and the relevant case studies have not been reported. The relationships among marine ecosystem intrinsic value, extrinsic value, service value and marine ecosystem value have not yet been clarified. Thus, this thesis may make contribution to both academic study and practice.Referring to relevant theories and methods of ecology, oceanography, economics, ecological economics, environmental economics and environmental ethics, starting with the basic concepts such as ecosystem, ecosystem intrinsic value, ecosystem extrinsic value and ecosystem service value, the thesis has conducted a systematic, research on marine ecosystem extrinsic, value,including the theoretical analysis, the estimation methods and case studies. The main research outcomes are listed as follows.(1) Based on discussing the relevant concepts of ecosystem extrinsic value, combining the characteristic of marine ecosystem, the thesis defines the intrinsic value, the extrinsic value, the service value of marine ecosystem. After identifying various types of marine ecosystem services, the thesis analyzes their affiliation and relevance to ecosystem intrinsic value and extrinsic value, and reveals the connotation of marine ecosystem extrinsic value. On the basis of the biological components, the abiotic environment and the ecological processes of marine ecosystem, it illustrates the internal formation mechanism of marine ecosystem extrinsic value with the perspective of ecology. Based on all above work, the thesis preliminarily clarifies the relationships among marine ecosystem intrinsic value, extrinsic value, service value and marine ecosystem value.(2) The comparative analysis of alternative economic valuation approaches (including direct market approach, indirect market approach, hypothetical market approach and benefit transfer approach) is done, and emergy analysis is introduced to estimate some extrinsic value of marine ecosystem. On these basis, the thesis proposes the basic principles and four steps of evaluating marine ecosystem extrinsic value, and establishes the valuation models by economic valuation approaches combined with emergy analysis. By means of all these studies, an overall implementation framework for estimating marine ecosystem extrinsic value is built.(3) The framework above is applied to the case studies of Xiamen Bay and Pearl River Estuary, indicating that it has desirable applicability and operability on the whole. Benefit transfer approach is mainly used in the case studies, accompanied by direct market approach, indirect market approach and emergy analysis. The research results show that the total extrinsic value of marine ecosystem in Xiamen Bay is3283million CNY/a. The extrinsic value for human subject is2689million CNY/a, accounting for81.9%of the total extrinsic value, and the extrinsic value for other ecosystem subject is594million CNY/a, accounting for18.1%. In the former, the aesthetic and entertainment value is largest; in the latter, the value of habitat and species diversity is dominant. The total extrinsic value of marine ecosystem in Pearl River Estuary is11905million CNY/a. The extrinsic value for human subject is6838million CNY/a, accounting for57.4%of the total extrinsic value, and the extrinsic value for other ecosystem subject is5067million CNY/a, accounting for42.6%. Similar to Xiamen Bay case, the proportion of aesthetic and entertainment value is highest, and the value of habitat and species diversity is in a dominant position. The study results of two cases could provide support for the relevant decision making. The protection of marine ecosystem and key resources, the sustainable development of marine economy and marine ecosystem management are also discussed, and the appropriate suggestions are proposed correspondingly. The two cases are compared and analyzed form the background of study area, the feasibility of the framework application, and the estimated results, which is helpful for the further research on marine ecosystem extrinsic value.