Optimizing the Valuation and Implementation Path of the Gross Ecosystem Product: A Case Study of Tonglu County, Hangzhou City

Yonghua Li, Huarong Wang, Chunju Liu, Jianhua Sun () and Qinchuan Ran
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Yonghua Li: Department of Regional and Urban Planning, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Huarong Wang: Department of Regional and Urban Planning, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Chunju Liu: Hangzhou Planning and Natural Resources Survey and Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China
Jianhua Sun: Hangzhou Planning and Natural Resources Survey and Monitoring Center, Hangzhou 310012, China
Qinchuan Ran: Department of Regional and Urban Planning, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-24

Abstract: Ecosystem products and services are fundamental to human survival and development. The gross ecosystem product can be defined as the total value of products and services provided by ecosystems for human wellbeing and sustainable socioeconomic development. This includes the value of production system products, ecosystem regulation services, and ecosystem cultural services. The valuation of gross ecosystem product offers crucial technical support for constructing mechanisms by which to realize them, and it holds significant importance in promoting the comprehensive green transformation of economic and social development. In this study, we introduce the definition and accounting methods of the gross ecosystem product and explore the application of the gross ecosystem product and ecosystem asset accounting in ecological benefit assessment, using Tonglu County in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, as an example. Finally, we provide recommendations by which to strengthen gross ecosystem product accounting and explore mechanisms for realizing ecological values based on this foundation. The results indicate that in 2021, the total gross ecosystem product value of Tonglu County reached CNY 55.129 billion, equivalent to 1.33 times the gross domestic product of that year. Among the various services, regulatory services contributed the most to the total ecological products, with climate regulation being the largest contributor at CNY 27.199 billion, accounting for 49.34%. Tonglu County boasts abundant natural resources, which hold significant value. By conducting an audit of the total ecological products, we can precisely determine the value of the ecosystem. This aids relevant departments in estimating the value of ecological products in Tonglu County’s ecosystem. Such information can support the formulation of ecological protection and sustainable development policies in Tonglu County, while also serving as a reference for estimating the total ecological products and enhancing the ecological value in other counties.

Keywords: gross ecosystem product (GEP); accounting methods; Tonglu County; ecological value realization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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