Development Of Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Biodiversity Characteristics and Carbon Sequestration Potential of Successional Woody Plants Versus Tree Plantation under Different Reclamation Treatments on Hard-Coal Mine Heaps––A Case Study from Upper Silesia

In the discussion about sustainable forestry, a key role is played by the development of ecosystem services, including ecological, social, and economic ones, in which biodiversity and carbon (C) sequestration are among the most important. Afforestation of disturbed and post-mining sites is one of the ways to minimize the negative impact of civilization on the environment. Optimizing C sequestration strategies at post-mining sites plays a crucial role in promoting ecosystem recovery, supporting climate change mitigation, and enabling C offsetting. In this study, we compared the C storage in the soil and plant biomass of forest ecosystems developed on coal-mine heaps for different scenarios of reclamation and succession. We tested combinations of sites (i.e., non-reclaimed sites on bare carboniferous rock [BR] and sites reclaimed by applying topsoil [TS]) and successional woodland and tree plantation. The estimated potential for total C storage (in the soil + biomass) for TS sites ranged from 68.13 to 121.08 Mg ha−1, of which 52.20–102.89 Mg ha−1 was stored in the soil and 12.09–20.15 Mg ha−1 in the biomass. In the non-reclaimed sites on BR, the total C storage was much higher, amounting to 523.14 Mg ha−1 (507.66 Mg ha−1 being in the soil), which was due to the geogenic coal content in the BR. However, the C storage in the biomass (15.48 Mg ha−1) and litter (5.91 Mg ha−1) was similar to the amounts obtained from the reclaimed sites. The number of species did not differ statistically significantly between the analyzed variants. On average, 14 species were recorded in the plots. The average Shannon–Wiener index (H’) value was higher for sites with BR (1.99) than TS variants on reclaimed plots (1.71). The lowest H’ value was for those plots with Robinia pseudacacia in the stand. One of the main implications of the obtained results for sustainable forestry is the perspective of using succession in the recovery of a disturbed ecosystem. We noted that woodlands from succession on BR are highly biodiverse, have high C sequestration potential, and do not require time-consuming reclamation treatments.

The dynamics of vegetation and implications for ecosystem services in the context of urbanisation: An example from Huangyan-Taizhou, China

Urban sprawl and associated land use changes have been referred as primary drivers of environmental change. Yet it is unclear in detail how land use changes impact vegetative structures or ecosystem services and what the specific drivers of change are, especially in urban-rural interfaces in medium-sized Chinese cities. Our future contribution is intended to highlight the importance of urban-rural interfaces for sustainable land use and the development of ecosystem services. To this end, we mapped the dynamics of land cover and the condition of vegetation as well as ecosystem services based on remote sensing data for the period of 1992–2020, to quantify these changes in Huangyan district, Taizhou, China. The results show a dramatic increase in urban area over the 28-year timeframe, i.e. 265% growth in Huangyan district. This rise was particularly evident in the period of 2015–2020. The huge expansion in urban area came at the cost of arable land. To compensate the resulting loss of farmland, large-scale natural ecosystems such as forests, grasslands and wetlands were continuously transformed into arable (as well as urbanized) land. Despite the dramatic reduction in green space as a result of urbanisation, we found a slight increase in the overall mean NDVI value for Huangyan, mainly due to the improved condition and density of remaining forest area in the western countryside. Further, we evaluated the provision of ecosystem services (ESS) by adapting an existing assessment methodology elaborated by Burkhard et al. (2012). The results show that ESS supply continually fell in Huangyan since 1992, reflecting a reduction of green space. The highest ecosystem capacity is seen in recreation and biodiversity due to the large proportion of forested area. Our findings serve as an important basis for further investigations in the region of Huangyan by framing the general issue of green space dynamics and highlighting specific developments of ecosystem distribution and change as well as ESS supply.

Механізми державного регулювання сфери екосистемних послуг у контексті забезпечення переходу на засади сталого розвитку

Розглянуто теоретико-методологічні основи формування та розвитку сфери екосистемних послуг у контексті принципів сталого розвитку. Окреслено особливості нормативно-правового та фінансово-економічного механізмів державного регулювання у сфері екосистемних послуг. Викладено погляди на світову практику збирання платежів за екопослуги, зокрема ті, що стосуються лісового та сільського господарства, де основний принцип полягає не в тому, що “забруднювач платить”, а в тому, що “користувач платить”. Запропоновано систему заходів, спрямованих на створення та подальший розвиток екосистемних послуг в Україні.

Urban foraging, resilience and food provisioning services provided by edible plants in interstitial urban spaces in Mexico City

ABSTRACT In the context of decreasing food security, and as part of the ‘100 Resilient Cities’ group, Mexico City (CDMX) has committed itself to achieving resilience through local food systems, green infrastructure and ecosystem services development. This paper reports on two surveys mapping the distribution of species of edible plants growing in publicly accessible interstitial spaces (e.g. central reservations and pavements) in subtropical, central CDMX. It also reports on an initial assessment of the feasibility of using such spaces for foraging. Rather than improving everyday food supplies, the maintenance of these spaces as areas for emergency foraging would ideally increase urban resilience in the face of extreme food supply shocks. The surveys used a direct species identification approach whilst walking ∼20 km of streets and identified thirty-six species of edible plants including not only fruits and herbs, but also vegetables. The results permitted the satisfactory assessment of three out of five feasibility conditions: (i) suitable growing conditions, (ii) provisioning capability and (iii) the existence of multiple plant dispersal pathways (including both natural processes and deliberate planting, as well as, more speculatively, unintentional human-mediated dispersal). Two other important feasibility conditions for foraging – (iv) usage and (v) a favourable planning environment – were not able to be judged based on the field data. CDMX promotes the planting of fruit trees in avenues, but this paper shows that local socio-ecological systems sustain a greater variety of edibles growing in a wider range of interstitial spaces. Ignoring this would represent a missed opportunity for urban resilience.

Research on a Biodiversity Conservation Value Assessment Method Based on Habitat Suitability of Species: A Case Study in Gansu Province, China

Quantitative assessment and evaluation of ecological parameters and biodiversity conservation are prime concerns for long-term conservation of rare and endangered species and their associated habitats in any ecological region. In this study, Gansu Province, a biodiversity hotspot, was chosen as the research area. We predicted the distribution patterns of suitable habitats for rare and endangered species. The replacement cost method was adopted to calculate the conservation value of rare and endangered species. The suitable habitat distribution area of rare and endangered wild animals reached 351,607.76 km2 (without overlapping area), while that of plants reached 72,988.12 km2 (without overlapping area). The conservation value of rare and endangered wildlife is US $1670.00 million. The high-value areas are mostly concentrated in the south and north of Gansu Province. The conservation value of rare and endangered wild plants is US $56,920.00 million. The high-value areas are mostly concentrated south of Gansu Province. The conservation value is US $58,590.00 million a year, and its distribution trend is gradually decreasing from northeast to southwest, with the highest in the forest area south of Gansu Province, followed by the Qilian Mountain area in the north. These results are of great significance for future improvement of the evaluation index system of ecosystem services and the development of ecosystem services and management strategies.

Relationships between ecosystem services and human well-being changes based on carbon flow—A case study of the Manas River Basin, Xinjiang, China

The current understanding of how ecosystem services flow affects human well-being is not sufficient. As an important component of the biogeochemical cycle, carbon flows through various natural and artificial processes. Therefore, carbon can be used as a research vector to explore the relationship between ecosystem services and human well-being. This study proposed a method for a quantitative assessment of “ecosystem services-human well-being” based on carbon flows. The assessment of the changes in ecosystem services and human well-being based on carbon in the Manas River Basin from 1990 to 2015 revealed the complex relationship between ecosystem services and human well-being. The results were as follows: (1) The development of ecosystem services was uneven, with increasing provisioning services and decreasing regulating, supporting and cultural services. (2) The basic materials for a good life and health in human well-being showed an upward trend, and the security indicator showed a downward trend. (3) The indicators of the basic materials for a good life and health were significantly positively correlated with provisioning services and were significantly negatively correlated with the other three services. Moreover, the internal structure of the security and health indicators were malformed. (4) Over time, the impact of provisioning services on the well-being indicators has gradually weakened, and the influence of regulating, supporting and cultural services has continually increased. In general, this study evaluated the complex relationship between ecosystem services and human well-being through carbon flow quantification, which can not only unify the dimensions for comparison, but also eliminate the impact of subjective factors to achieve a scientific nature. It is not only helpful to provide theoretical and practical basis for scientific management of Manas River Basin, but also to explore a larger scale and a wider area in the world through selecting indicators according to local conditions.

Ecosystem services management: An evaluation of green adaptations for urban development in Dhaka, Bangladesh

We evaluated green adaptation strategies (parks, gardens, green roof, rainwater harvest, green façades/wall, porous pavement, and green and blue belts) in the context of urban development and potential climate change impacts for the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Our review of relevant literature revealed substantial environmental (cooler and cleaner environment), economic (reduced energy demand, avoided cost of drainage maintenance, increased land values) and social (higher social interaction, improved mental and physical health) benefits arising from the maintenance and development of ecosystem services in major cities. Our evaluation of green adaptation strategies was undertaken with household surveys in three wards of Dhaka, expert interviews, and our personal experiences. Rooftop gardens/agriculture had very high social acceptance (85%) and economic feasibility and was commonly practiced in Dhaka, particularly among house owners. Pocket park, green roof, rainwater harvest, green façades/wall, porous pavement, and community garden were all considered to be highly feasible for implementation with collective efforts but had lower social acceptance. Many respondents were unwilling to pay for green adaptation strategies even knowing their benefits. Our research revealed that successful implementation of beneficial green adaptation will require public participation at all stages supported through awareness raising campaigns. Enforcement of laws and strong commitment from the government was also considered to be beneficial. However, more transparent cost-benefit analyses promoting the conservation of ecosystem services is required, particularly for resource-poor Dhaka. Green adaptations make cities more resilient to pressures from demographic change and climate change increasingly relevant in the developing world.

The issue of radioactive contamination in context of ecosystem services development

The aim of the article was to defi ne the role of the radioactive environment contamination in the formation of ecosystem services strategy. Methods. Monographic, systemic and structural, factor analysis, abstract and logical research methods have been used. The data from the State Statistics Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine, materials of scientifi c researches, international materials and reports and other literary sources on the issues investigated have been used as an information base. Results. Retrospective analysis of sources and state of radioactive eco- systems contamination was conducted and the priority steps in developing the concept of ecosystem services in conditions of radiation contamination were found. Conclusions. The current socio-ecological paradigm of the transition from environmental use to environmental management should be refl ected in the relevant envi- ronmental management mechanisms. Currently, when assessing the state of ecosystem services in Ukraine and worldwide one must take into account the changes in food demand of residents of radioactively contaminated areas, the exploitation of radioactively safe ecosystems growth, their overload and degradation. All of this re- quires an inventory of ecosystem services by type, region, consumers, etc. and the formation of a state register of ecosystem services with a clear assignment of area of responsibility for appropriate natural ecosystems. This will help to make the economic evaluation of different ecosystem services and mechanisms of charges for ecosystem services.

Development/ripening of ecosystems services in the first two growing seasons of a regional-scale constructed stormwater wetland on the coast of North Carolina

A well-functioning constructed stormwater wetland (CSW) will provide many ecosystem services. However, there has not been an effort to monitor and evaluate these services as a CSW develops in the first years after construction – the ‘ripening’ period. In this study, ecosystem services development was assessed during the first two growing seasons of a CSW located on the coast of North Carolina. The CSW research site was a regional-scale stormwater project with two different flow regimes: event and base flow. The full potential of some ecosystem services of this CSW were realized immediately such as volume reduction, TSS and NO2,3 treatment. Others were fully developed after the 1st growing season, e.g. TAN, ON, TN, and TP treatment. Mostly, ripening of the CSW was complete, as areal C densities exceeded median C densities observed in other stormwater wetlands, and vegetation biodiversity measurements aligned with other stormwater wetlands in North Carolina, just one year after construction. The establishment of vegetation was deemed the most important design goal during this vital period, as vegetation is interlinked with other services: evapotranspiration, water quality improvement, and C input to the soil.

Evaluating the importance of surface soil contributions to reservoir sediment in alpine environments: a combined modelling and fingerprinting approach in the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park

Abstract. Soil in alpine environments plays a key role in the development of ecosystem services and in order to maintain and preserve this important resource, information is required on processes that lead to soil erosion. Similar to other mountain alpine environments, the Benasque catchment is characterised by temperatures below freezing that can last from November to April, intense rainfall events, typically in spring and autumn, and rugged topography which makes assessment of erosion challenging. Indirect approaches to soil erosion assessment, such as combined model approaches, offer an opportunity to evaluate soil erosion in such areas. In this study (i) the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) hydrological and erosion model and (ii) sediment fingerprinting procedures were used in parallel to assess the viability of a combined modelling and tracing approach to evaluate soil erosion processes in the area of the Posets-Maladeta Natural Park (central Spanish Pyrenees). Soil erosion rates and sediment contribution of potential sediment sources defined by soil type (Kastanozems/Phaeozems; Fluvisols and Cambisols) were assessed. The SWAT model suggested that, with the highest specific sediment yields, Cambisols are the main source of sediment in the Benasque catchment and Phaeozems and Fluvisols were identified as the lowest sediment contributors. Spring and winter model runs gave the highest and lowest specific sediment yield, respectively. In contrast, sediment fingerprinting analysis identified Fluvisols, which dominate the riparian zone, as the main sediment source at the time of sampling. This indicates the importance of connectivity as well as potential differences in the source dynamic of material in storage versus that transported efficiently from the system at times of high flow. The combined approach enabled us to better understand soil erosion processes in the Benasque alpine catchment, wherein SWAT identified areas of potential high sediment yield in large flood events but sediment fingerprinting identified areas that, due to high connectivity, contribute more to channel-stored sediment deposits.

A theoretical basis for green growth

This paper proposes a theoretical model of green growth. The paper analyses the development mechanisms through which natural resource capital regenerates (or at least does not degrade), is preserved and contributes to economic growth. Climate change is a threat to human civilisation and countries need to save natural resources, which are a crucial form of productive capital in the economy, and also challenge economic development in the 21st century. One of the new development strategies proposed is green growth which leads towards sustainable development. This paper suggests policy inputs regarding the regeneration of natural resources and their preservation in terms of watershed development, flood control and development of ecosystem services through the creation of jobs through the channel of productive consumption. Policy-makers should focus on employability, regeneration and preservation of natural resource capital for sustaining livelihoods in the economy.

Temporal variation in development of ecosystem services from oyster reef restoration

Restoration ecology relies heavily on ecosystem development theories that generally assume development of fully functioning natural systems over time, but often fail to identify the time-frame required for provision of desired functions, or acknowledge different pathways of functional development. In estuaries, a decline of overall habitat quality and functioning has led to significant efforts to restore critical ecosystem services, recently through the creation and restoration of oyster reefs. Oyster reef restoration generally occurs with goals of (1) increasing water quality via filtration through sustainable oyster recruitment, (2) stabilizing shorelines, and (3) creating and enhancing critical estuarine habitat for fish and invertebrates. We restored over 260m2 of oyster reef habitat in coastal Louisiana and followed the development and provision of these ecosystem services from 2009 through 2012. Oysters recruited to reefs immediately, with densities of oysters greater than 75mm exceeding 80indm−2 after 3 years, and provision of filtration rates of 1002±187Lh−1m−2; shoreline stabilization effects of the created reefs were minimal over the three years of monitoring, with some evidence of positive shoreline stabilization during higher wind/energy events only; increased nekton abundance of resident, but not larger transient fish was immediately measurable at the reefs, however, this failed to increase through time. Our results provide critical insights into the development trajectories of ecosystem services provided by restored oyster reefs, as well as the mechanisms mediating these changes. This is critical both ecologically to understand how and where a reef thrives, and for policy and management to guide decision-making related to oyster reef restoration and the crediting and accounting of ecosystem services.

Analysis of Ecosystem Service Values Change Using Land Use Data in Hulunbeier Grassland

Land use change has major impact on goods and services which environment supplies for society. However, field scale monitoring schemes for ecosystem services or ecosystem values are missing, proxy based indicators can assess the historic development of ecosystem services and values. In this study, we use land use data from 2000 to 2010 to show at the example of the historic ecosystem service values development in Hulunbeier grassland. The regional assessment shows an overall trend for degradation of ecosystem service values from 2000 to 2010.

Development of ecosystem services within a highly modified creek channel in Port Curtis, central Queensland: A pilot study

Development of ecosystem services within a highly modified creek channel in Port Curtis, central Queensland: A pilot study