Evaluation and evolution analysis of water ecosystem service value in the yangtze river delta region based on meta-analysis

Abstract

Rapid economic development, industrialization and urbanization lead to environmental pollution and damage the stability of regional ecosystems. The Yangtze River Delta region is an economically developed region in China, faces the problems of water environment pollution and water ecosystem service degradation. Reasonable assessment of water ecosystem service value (ESV) is of great significance for grasping the status of regional water ecosystem services, improving water ecological environment, and realizing regional sustainable development. This study collects 119 research literature about China, including 156 observations to establish a value transfer database; specially builds a Meta-analysis model including the variables of climate conditions, environmental pollution and environmental protection, then assesses the waters ESV in the Yangtze River Delta using the model and analyzes the changes from 2009 to 2018. The study finds that the location, population density, the area of the site, average annual precipitation, literature characteristics, landscape characteristics, wastewater discharge, environmental protection expenditure, and wastewater treatment costs can affect the water ESV significantly. Based on the meta-analysis benefit transfer model to evaluate the water ESV in Yangtze River Delta region is RMB 177,126 yuan/ hha/year and the growth rate is 27.18%. The place with the highest value per unit area is Shanghai, and the total value in Jiangsu Province is the highest. Economic development, waste water discharge and wastewater treatment costs are the main reasons for the changes and differences in the value of water ecosystem services in the Yangtze River Delta region. The contribution of this study to the field of water ESV assessment is that the meta-analysis model includes a broader set of influencing variables, including landscape, population density, climate change and environmental protection. It provides a practical reference for water ESV assessment on the local scale and a scientific basis for water area management related to the development of water area and ecological compensation, as well as promote the sustainable development of water ecosystems.