The Valuation of Grassland Ecosystem Services in Inner Mongolia of China and Its Spatial Differences

Jing Ning,Jianjun Jin,Chenyang Zhang,Tong Guan,Foyuan Kuang,Xinyu Wan

doi:10.3390/su11247117

Abstract

Economic valuation of grassland ecosystem services is important for protecting and restoring grassland ecosystems. This study aims to investigate Chinese netizens’ willingness-to-pay (WTP) for protecting grassland ecosystem services in Inner Mongolia by using the contingent valuation method. The results indicate that 61.55% of respondents expressed a positive WTP. The mean WTP was estimated to be CNY 170.76 (USD 25.11) per person per year. We found that there is a significant spatial difference in respondent’s WTP. Factors such as respondent age, education, household income and concern about grassland protection significantly affected their WTP. Younger, more educated and wealthier respondents have a higher probability of willingness to pay, and those who are concerned about grassland protection present a higher WTP. The regression results also show that distance from the grassland negatively affects the probability and values of people’s WTP. Findings of this research provide useful policy implications for decision-makers involved in grassland protection and management.

Highlights

Ecosystem services have been attracting more and more attention because of their important role in promoting human wellbeing [1,2,3]
The results show that approximately 61.55% were willing to pay to protect grassland ecosystem services in Inner Mongolia, which suggested most Chinese netizens valued the protection of grassland ecosystem services
The survey results indicate that approximately 61.55% of the respondents expressed positive willingness-to-pay to protect grassland ecosystem services in Inner Mongolia

Summary

Introduction

Ecosystem services have been attracting more and more attention because of their important role in promoting human wellbeing [1,2,3]. Grassland ecosystems have an important global role, recent studies have shown that 49.2% of grasslands in the world are degrading [8]. Grassland ecosystem degradation is a global issue that needs close attention [10]. The total economic value of grassland ecosystem services must be considered. When the true value of these services is fully considered can governments and organizations design and implement more effective policies, focusing on increasing the supply of ecosystem services or reducing the pressure on degraded ecosystems [11]. Quantifying the true economic values of grassland ecosystem services is necessary and important [12]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion