Evaluation of ecosystem service value of the grape industry at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain, Ningxia, China.

Abstract

Using statistical data from Statistics Bureau of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Grape Industry Development Bureau of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and National Bureau of Statistics, ecosystem service value of grape industry at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in Ningxia was evaluated from eight facets, i.e., food production, carbon fixation and oxygen release, air purification, soil conservation, water-holding, water conservation and efficiency, eco-tourism, and ecological poverty alleviation. The results showed that: 1) ecosystem service value of the grape industry was 3.6 billion (RMB), with direct benefit of 2.2 billion and the ecological benefit of 1.4 billion. Ecological benefit accounted for 38.85% of the total ecosystem service value. 2) The service value of the grape industry was in the order of ecological poverty alleviation> eco-tourism> carbon fixation and oxygen release> water conservation and efficiency > air purification > soil conservation> water-holding. 3) Among the ecological benefits, the value of ecological poverty alleviation was the highe-st, accounting for 64.39%; the value of ecotourism was the second, accounting for 24.47%. The results indicated the necessity of assessing ecosystem service value of the grape industry, which could enable people to realize the direct economic benefits as well as the ecological benefits. This study had important reference value for comprehensively guiding the healthy and sustainable deve-lopment of the grape industry.