Evaluation of the ecosystem values of aquatic wildlife reserves: a case of Chinese Sturgeon Natural Reserve in Yichang reaches of the Yangtze river

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Summary Chinese Sturgeon Natural Reserve (CSNR) is a typical river ecosystem in the middle of the Yangtze River. An evaluation system of the river ecosystem services of CSNR was established using the so-called ‘Market Price Approach’, ‘Expense Payment Method’, ‘Contingent Valuation Method’, ‘Substituted Value Method’, ‘Cost Analysis Method’ and ‘Opportunity Cost Method’. The results showed that the total values of the ecosystem goods and services of the natural reserve amount to an estimated 73.57 million USD. The use-values and non use-values were 72.5 and 27.5%, respectively. The direct use values, including fisheries, water supplies and others, reach a total of about 24.23 million USD; On the other hand, the indirect use values, which include endangered species, purification costs and degradation losses, have been estimated at cost levels of approximately 29.12 million USD, indicating with 39.6% its important role of the total value. Meanwhile the non-use values of CSNR in the Yichang Reaches of the Yangtze River were assessed by a contingent valuation method (CVM) and the willingness to pay (WTP), The study shows that the annual non-use values of CSNR is up to 20.22 million USD, of which its existence values is in the range of 8.59 million USD, its bequest values 8.03 million USD, and the option values around 3.6 million USD. This preliminary analysis indicates that this natural reserve represents a special hydro-ecosystem in China with the sturgeon as target species, which is highly valued. The value of endangered aquatic species is up to 25.2% of the total, which places much emphasis on aquatic species. Investment in scientific research and management is presently quite low, amounting to only 0.7% of the total; this fact incidates that research work should be given more concern and support. Limited by the data availability, data processing capacity and time given, result of this initial investigation only represents part of CSNR’s assessable value, however, considering the reality that lots of water resource and hydropower projects are now on the way, this valuation will still be helpful to inform the public with the importance of protecting endangered aquatic wildlife and such special hydro-ecosystem.