APPROACHES TO ASSESSING ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF LAKE LADOGA

Abstract

The threat of Lake Ladoga ecosystem degradation under multifactorial anthropogenic impact requires that, along with legal and administrative methods, economic approaches to resource regulation are used. In this connection, the article substantiates the prospects of applying the concept of ecosystem services, which has the aim of ecosystem resource valuation for subsequent introduction of a system of compensation payments and adequate decision-making. The state of natural resources of Lake Ladoga is considered as the footing for the formation of ecosystem services. Productivity, environment-shaping, informational, mental-aesthetic and recreational services that require economic valuation were identified. Indicators of a degradation of the quality of environment-forming and productivity services were determined. The potential volumes of ecosystem services/ benefits of Lake Ladoga (1.6 trillion rubles), the value of its water (690 billion rubles) and ecosystem services of the lands in protected areas of the Ladoga region (37.9 billion rubles) were estimated. The total value of recreational and information services and the refugium function of Ladoga region’s protected areas is 55.2 million rubles per year. The total value of some utilized components of Lake Ladoga ecosystem services is 4166.7 million rubles per year, including drinking water, aquaculture, tourism (Valaam Island) and transport services. The largest beneficiary of the environment-shaping service of Lake Ladoga is the Volga-Baltic transport route, but its operation entails a deterioration of the water quality in the southern part of the lake. Identification of the beneficiaries of this transit transport service and the development of compensation payment schemes is one of the mechanisms for finding alternative sources of funding for environmental projects to maintain a sustainable state of the Lake Ladoga ecosystem.