A model for the evaluation of groundwater ecological compensation budget

Abstract

Groundwater, one of the important water resources, plays an important role in maintaining sustainable social and economic development. The ecological compensation of groundwater is a beneficial tool for guaranteeing reasonable exploitation and utilization of groundwater resources. However, there is a lack of associated studies, especially compensation budget. We proposed an integrated groundwater compensation standard model, which consisted of four components: base, stimulus and punishment, research and development, and potential risk. The priority level of compensation was estimated by considering regional climate and economic conditions comprehensively. The model was applied to a total of 11 cities in Shanxi Province to calculate the groundwater ecolo-gical compensation standard. The results showed that the base compensation accounted for the largest proportion in the total compensation, with the non-market value contributing more than 60%. Our results indicated that groundwater had a high regulated service value. From 2008 to 2017, the development coefficient of each city had significantly increased, suggesting the improved regional economic level and enhanced compensation capacity. Compensation priority was affected by the non-market value of groundwater and economic level, and obvious difference in the compensation priority existed in all the cities, implying the requirement for the implement of groundwater ecological compensation. Meanwhile, we suggested that groundwater risk compensation system should be improved, special funds should be set up for supporting research projects on groundwater ecological compensation, and long-term effective compensation mechanisms should be established.