Ecosystem Service Value Response to Different Irrigation and Drainage Practices in a Land Development Project in the Yellow River Delta

Abstract

The potential for development of saline land is enormous; the concept has recently attracted great scientific attention regarding its use and development. It is especially crucial to consider the issue of ecological balance when carrying out large-scale land remediation in the Yellow River Delta region since the saline land there is rich in resources and is also typically an ecologically delicate area. In order to quantitatively estimate the value of ecosystem services under various irrigation and drainage modes, this paper uses an undeveloped land development project in the Yellow River Delta as an example, simulates five different irrigation and drainage modes, and combines the market value method and the calculation method of factor equivalents. A quantitative estimation of the ecosystem service value under different irrigation and drainage modes is carried out, exploring the impact of different irrigation and drainage modes on the ecosystem from the perspective of ecosystem service value. The findings revealed that while the “Pipeline irrigation + concealed pipe” irrigation and drainage model increased the area of cultivated land by 4.04 km2, the overall ecological value increased by only Renminbi (RMB) 6.707 × 106. It is clear that only an increase in the area of cultivated land will not increase the ecological value as a whole. Through comparison, it is found that the ecological value of ‘Pipeline irrigation + open ditch’ irrigation and drainage pattern increases the most, which is RMB 28.405 × 106. It can increase the area of cultivated land and protect the ecological benefits to a greater extent, which can better meet the requirements of the current comprehensive development. The study’s findings can serve as a foundation for the sustainable development of the area and the scientific selection of development in ecologically vulnerable coastal areas.