Effects of Enclosure on Grassland Ecological and Economic Benefits in Northern China

Grasslands in northern China serve the country as both an ecological barrier and a livestock production base.There,installing enclosures has been becoming the major grassland restoration measure adopted by many local governments.However,the effects of restoration on both ecological and production benefits of grassland remain unclear for implemented grassland restoration policies.Therefore,a representative rangeland in northern China,the Maodeng pasture in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region was selected as the study area,and remote sensing monitoring analyses were carried out to quantify the ecological benefits and economic benefits from 2015 to 2021.The results showed that:1) in terms of ecological benefits,the grassland area with a grassland coverage rate of more than 60% accounts for 32.3% of the regional area,and 86.4% of its grassland grew significantly better than the same period in2015,showing a significant improvement in grassland growth.Using the average amount of carbon per unit area as the ecological benefit evaluation index,it increased by 27.1% to 32.48Tg C/yr from 2015 to 2021.2) In terms of economic benefits,both theoretical grass production and livestock carrying capacity increased from 2015 to 2021.Compared to 2015,the theoretical grass production in 2021 increased by 24.8% to 71 900 t.The livestock carrying capacity reached 52 100 sheep units in 2021,nearly 11 000 sheep units more than that in 2015.During the study period,multiple economic indicators(on a per capita basis of permanent residents) for the pastoral area of Xilinhot City to which the Maodeng pasture belongs,have grown steadily.Per capita total income rose from 29 630 yuan(RMB) in2015 to 62 859 yuan(RMB) in 2021.Relying on grassland resources to develop the pastoral ecology also broadens the potential economic development space.Overall,the establishment of the reserve and the experiment of implanting an enclosure policy have had a significant and positive impact on Maodeng pasture’s development from both an ecological and economic perspective.With the support of scientific evidence,enclosure policy can be extended to more than 110 000 km~2 of grasslands in northern China with similar precipitation and temperature conditions,enhancing the productive and ecological potential of grasslands.The above research results will contribute to the scientific formulation of grassland pasture quality improvement plans in northern China.

Analysis on Ecological Benefits of Urban Wetlands and Protection Measures with a Case of Nansha Wetland

Nansha wetland plays a crucial role in ecological balance of the Pearl River Delta or even Guangzhou. The research, based on researches available, analyzed ecological benefits of Nansha wetland and proposed protection measures in order to better protect urban wetlands and achieve sustainable development of ecological resources of Nansha wetland.

Evaluation method of the ecological benefits of urban green spaces and application conditions

The importance of ecological benefit analyses about green space systems has been widely discussed on the basis of a perceived bias towards the landscaping effect of green spaces to be built in urban areas as opposed to the perception of comprehensive ecological benefits of designed plant communities. Given the basic principle of ecological benefit analyses and evaluation methods widely applied today, the methodology to calculate ecological benefits and to model the expansion of urban green spaces by CITY- green 5.0 and its conditions for application were explored. We propose that aerial images can be substituted by AutoCAD graphics of a green space containing detailed information of plant dispositions by digitizing the key features during the working process in order to evaluate the ecological benefits quickly and to offer proper guidance to the establishment of small scale green spaces in urban areas. The theoretical foundation, potential application range and prospects for extension of the method are introduced by using the analysis of ecological benefits of the green spaces on the campus of Southwest Forestry College, Kunming, as an example.

Evaluation on Regional Ecological Benefits of Windbreak Systems

This paper studied how dynamically to evaluate regional ecological benefits of windbreak systems in a county scale. Data of air temperature. humidity. wind speed, crop yield and forest cover percentage were investigated and collected in some of counties of Heilongjiang Province, where windbreak systems were established in the last thirty years. Through analysis, an evaluation index system estimating regional ecological benetits of windbreak systems was set up, which consists of both a vegetation index system and a climate index systeln. The former includes a forest cover percentage index and a crop yield index; the later does three variable indexes of wind speed, air temperature and humidity. An integrated regional ecological benefit index.was developed through combinations of some coined evaluation indexes from the evaluation system.And to take Zhaozhou County and Anda County as a case study, the regional ecological benetits since establishment of windbreak systems of the two counties were evaluated dynamically using the integrated index.

External Costs and Optimum Use of Nitrogen Fertilizer Based on the Balance of Economic and Ecological Benefits in the Paddy Field System of the Dongting Lake Area, China

The external costs and the optimum use of nitrogen fertilizer based on the balance of economic and ecological benefits was studied with the paddy field system of Dongting Lake area, one of the main food production regions in China. The environmental impact was economically evaluated using methods of the environmental impact economical evaluation. The optimum use of nitrogen fertilizer was calculated based on the exterior diseconomy theory and by using the production function model. Both ecological benefits and farmers＇ economic benefits were considered. It was calculated on the data from 2002 that the losses caused by inappropriate utilization of nitrogen fertilizer in the process of food production were fishery, 0.1 × 10^7 RMB yuan; water treatment, 1.02 × 10^8 RMB yuan; tour business, 0.11 ×10^8 RMB yuan, and habitation environment, 0.3 × 10^7 RMB yuan, totally equivalent to 0.41 RMB yuan kg^-1 N. The economically satisfactory and the ecological agronomic nitrogen fertilizer dose for current production was 138 and 137 kg ha^-1, respectively. The research showed that the actual nitrogen fertilizer application amount in the paddy field system of the Dongting Lake area already reached or exceeded the farmers＇ economic satisfaction and the ecological agronomic nitrogen fertilizer dose for current production. An environmental tax is suggested to impose on over-use of nitrogen fertilizer.

Ecological Benefits of Compound Ridge Culture in Hillside Orchard in the Three Gorge Reservoir Area

Based on contour tillage of wide ridge and furrow covering and agro-forestry, this paper sets up a compound ridge culture mode in hillside orchards and introduces a long-term observation to the mode＇s effects on ecological benefits of water and soil conservation. A five-year study shows that compound ridge culture in hillside orchards is effective in water and soil conservation, especially in reducing soil erosion. Compared with the traditional management modes of orchards, compound ridge culture has reduced runoff amount by 41.96%-57.96%, soil erosion amount by 55.47%-67.75%. Compound ridge culture also brings an obvious reduction of soil nutrient loss and of non-point source pollution, which is of great importance for keeping and increasing the productivity of hillside orchards in the Three Gorge Reservoir Area.

Optimization of water-urban-agricultural-ecological land use pattern:A case study of Guanzhong Basin in the southern Loess Plateau of Shaanxi Province,China

Extensive land use will cause many environmental problems.It is an urgent task to improve land use efficiency and optimize land use patterns.In recent years,due to the flow decrease,the Guanzhong Basin in Shaanxi Province is confronted with the problem of insufficient water resources reserve.Based on the Coupled Ground-Water and Surface-Water Flow Model(GSFLOW),this paper evaluates the response of water resources in the basin to changes in land use patterns,optimizes the land use pattern,improves the ecological and economic benefits,and the efficiency of various spatial development,providing a reference for ecological protection and high-quality development of the Yellow River Basin.The research shows that the land use pattern in the Guanzhong Basin should be further optimized.Under the condition of considering ecological and economic development,the percentage change of the optimum area of farmland,forest,grassland,water area,and urban area compared with the current land use area ratio is+2.3,+2.4,-6.1,+0.2,and+1.6,respectively.The economic and ecological value of land increases by14.1%and 3.1%,respectively,and the number of water resources can increase by 2.5%.

To Uplift the Profitability of Marginal Lands by Cassava Cultivation

Expanding the utilization of marginal land resources in rural areas is regarded as a significant supplement for the sustainable development of modern agriculture for its yield, economic and ecological good. Marginal areas, due to their natural limitations, are only productive for energy crops with strong resistance and tolerance. Cassava, in its longstanding cultivation practices, has marked its adaptability in tropical and subtropical regions. Farmers are allowed to improve reclaimed soils’ fertility, while plants’ canopy coverage could reduce soil erosion. Besides, cassava tubers to be produced as food or fodder can be counted as soil productivity. Breeding advanced cassava varieties on marginal land under proper intensification management and facilitating policies can indeed increase farmers’ income. Some of the projects implemented outside of China speak quite well on that. Additionally, intercropping modes for cassava bring higher incomes than monocropping mode, which simultaneously improves the ecosystem structure and soil conditions. The interspecific cooperation brought by the intercropping pattern has its buffering function and antagonistic effects to counter against plant diseases, pest attacks and weed infestations. It performs as a natural alternative for pesticides and fertilizers with minimal inputs and safe and productive outputs. Although a complete cassava industrial chain has been formed nationwide, there are still challenges like the inadequate use of marginal areas and risks triggered by unfavorable climate, changeable commodity markets, and the composition of the labor force. However, there will still be ample room for further growth of cassava, for recent years have witnessed the acceleration in the circulation of rural land management rights and the stratification of Chinese farmers, which gives an impetus to household management’s dominance as well as the improvements of rural social welfare systems for the overall agricultural efficiency.

A Recycling Agriculture Model Based on Edible Fungi Cultivation

[Objective]This study was to explore the model for the efficient utilization of agricultural resources,especially crop straw and livestock waste.[Methods]With Shandong Jiufa Edible Fungus Co.,Ltd.as a case,this paper described a recycling agriculture model based on edible fungi,and analyzed its economic,ecological and social benefit [Results]The recycling agriculture model,guided by the scale production,processing and vendition of medium for the culture edible fungi,mainly makes use of a large amount of agriculture wastes like wheat straw,livestock waste,for developing edible fungi industry,aiming at getting the intensive optimization of fund,technology,raw materials and products at village level and more surplus labors engaged in edible fungi production industry into reality.Moreover,this model provides multi-solutions to the utilization of a great deal of fungus dreg,which can not only solve the problem of fungus dreg generated in the edible fungi production,but also extend industrial chain and enhance the income of practitioners,further realizing maximum conversion of agricultural resources.[Conclusion]This model can make well use of agricultural resources and reduce the agricultural waste pollution,significantly increasing economic,ecological and social benefits.

A discussion on compensation of forest ecological engineering benefit

On the basis of analysis of the present situation of the ecological benefit compensation in China and foreign countries, this paper discusses the necessity, principle and approach of establishing the compensation mechanism of forest ecological benefit, as well as compensation standard in order to provide scientific basis for further perfecting the compensation mechanism of forest ecological engineering benefit in China. It is suggested that setting up the compensation mechanism of forest ecological benefit can not only provide the steady funds source of managing and protecting forest resources, but resolve radically the dynamic and mechanism problems of commonweal forest ecological engineering construction, which will produce a widespread and profound influence on China forestry and ecological construction.

沈阳城市森林结构与生态效益

用样方调查方法对沈阳市建成区163.5km2范围的树木进行实地调查,并建立了基于Arc View 3.2以及CITYgreen模型的城市森林信息管理系统。应用该系统分析了沈阳市土地利用及树木分布的格局、树种柏成、树木密度、树高等级分布、胸径等级分布、健康状况等指标。

果茶人工群落的生态效应及经济效益评价

果茶人工群落的生态效应及经济效益评价魏国雄（贵州省茶叶研究所，潭５６４１００）ＥｓｔｉｍａｔｉｏｎｏｆＥｃｏｌｏｇｉｃａｌＥｆｆｅｃｔａｎｄＥｃｏｎｏｍｉｃＢｅｎｅｆｉｔｏｆＡｒｔｉｆｉｃｉａｌＴｅａ－ＦｒｕｉｔＣｏｍｍｕｎｉｔｙ．￥ＷｅｉＧｕｏｘｉ...

A Comparative Study on Pattern of Urban Forest Patch and Its Ecological Benefit Evaluation in the Park of Hefei Based on the GIS Technology

Based on the GIS technology, CITYgreen computer model was used in this paper to estimate ecological benefits of urban forest in the park of Hefei city.It used this technology to make an analysis on urban forest ecological benefits. The research discussed how to use the technology of CITYgreen model developed in USA to account urban forest benefits in China. The results showed that forests in Xiaoyao Jin Park occupied about 52.62% of park land area and Xinghua Park13.00% respectively, indicating that Xiaoyaojin Park is dominated by large trees such as arbors, and Xinghua Park dominated by laws, with low coverage. Besides,the comprehensive eco-benefits of Xiaoyaojin Park and Xinghua Park were 5.150 3and 1.354 3 million yuan and per unit area eco-benefits were 144 000 and 47 400yuan/hm^2, which indicated that Xiaoyaojin Park makes the greatest contribution in ecological benefits.

The Landscape Design of Roads Afforestation of Jiangnan New District in Mudanjiang Municipality

Based on road characters in Jiangnan New District in Mudanjiang Municipality,four typical roads were selected to carry out road afforestation design with consideration of local building features and local vegetations,in order to integrate both of landscape effects,in terms of improving and beautifying city environment,and of ecological effects,such as filtering air,reducing temperature,increasing humidity,and reducing noise.

Ecosystem Health and Comprehensive Ecological Benefit Assessment of an Artificial Wetland in Western Jilin Province

[Objective] This research aimed to assess the state of ecosystem health and comprehensive ecological benefit of an artificial wetland in western Jilin Province. [Method] To investigate the effects of reclaimed water from Yingtai Oil Production Plant on the wetland ecosystem, a comprehensive ecological assessment index of an artificial wetland in the west of Jilin Province was established to measure the ecological economic and social benefits. The quantitative evaluation on the ecosystem health and comprehensive ecological benefit of the artificial wetland were carried out from 2003 to 2010 and were measured by means of the square difference method. [Result] After eight years of irrigation by reclaimed water, the levels of ecosystem health and benefit of the artificial wetland improved from Grade IV to Grade II, and the ecological environment, economic and social development of the wetland tended to improve. [Conclusion] The results indicated that the use of reclaimed water for irrigation of wetland ecosystems was a suitable way to control drought in arid and semi-arid regions.

The Ecological Effects of Young Elm Trees Belt-Pumpkin Strip Intercropping System at the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone in Northern China

Young elm trees belt-pumpkin strip intercropping was studied to solve the actual problem of resource losses in the large barren area resulted from reconverting cultivated land into forest in the agro-pastoral ecotone in northern China. The final objective was to realize effective utilization of the barren land with both ecological improvement and economic development. Field experiments were conducted together with laboratory analysis. The results indicated that the soil moisture level was remarkably increased in young elm trees belt-pumpkin strip intereropping because the pumpkin vines covered the gap between pumpkin planting-furrow and elm trees belt. The water use efficiency of the intercropping system was increased by 23.7-163.3% as compared with the single cropping. Elm trees belt-pumpkin strip intercropping changed the sequential succession trend of the grasses growing in the gap of the pumpkin planting-furrow. The annual grasses become the dominant vegetation. The nutritive value as fodder and yield of the annual grasses were also increased remarkably. The biomass of pumpkin, elm trees and grasses under intercropping increased by 24.4, 28.4 and 144.4%, respectively, as compared with those under single cropping. The land use efficiency was increased by 132%. It was also indicated that the soil erosion from the intercropping land was not increased due to pumpkin plantation. The differences in the soil erosion among intercropped area, elm trees belt and pumpkin strip with single cropping were not remarkable. Therefore, it was concluded that young elm trees belt-pumpkin strip intercropping is an effective way to utilize the barren land between the young elm trees belt and realize synergistic enhancement of ecological benefit and economic profit.

Seasonal dynamics and impact factors of urban forest CO2 concentration in Harbin,China

CO2 concentrations in different plant communities （larch, birch, lilac, and grassland） were measured during the growing season in the Heilongjiang Forest Botanical Garden to study diurnal variation, seasonal and annual dynamics and factors that impact CO2 concentration in different spaces. CO2 concentration in different communities in green lands had an obvious diurnal variation, chronically decreasing, and temperature influenced the lilac area and the grassland. Seasonally, CO2 was lowest in the larch green land （344.03 ±23.03 μmol/mol） and highest in the grassland （360.13 ± 22.43 μmol/mol）. The overall trend in CO2 concentration was autumn 〉 spring 〉 summer; temperature is the main factor controlling variation in CO2 concentrations during the growing season; the CO2 concentration at the larch, birch, lilac, and grassland types of sites was negatively correlated with land surface temperature and air temperature, and the CO2 concentration at the larch and birch sites was positively correlated with atmospheric pressure. Without any obvious annual change law, further study and observation are needed.

Application of CITYgreen5.0 model to tender appraisement of small-scale green-space designs

Developed by the American Forests, CITYgreen5.0 model has been widely applied to urban forestry research and has played an important role in analyzing quantitatively the ecological benefits produced by varied green-space ecosystems. One of the functions of this model is to evaluate quickly and objectively on parts of the ecological benefits possibly produced by different design schemes for the same small-scale green-space project before the establishment. A comparative analysis was conducted by modeling partial ecological benefits potentially produced by green-spaces of two different design schemes for the same roof garden of Chuangfushidai-Junjingyuan in Shenzhen, given the growth status of plants both immediately after the establishment and 20 years later. Meanwhile, the project costs for each design scheme were also taken into consideration. The results showed that scheme II, mainly designed with a natural style of plant disposition, had a better greenery structure than that of scheme I, which was basically designed with a regular style of plant disposition. The estimated value of the partial ecological benefits produced by scheme II was larger than that of scheme I and the benefit-cost ratio of scheme II was more rational. It was suggested that scheme II be put into practice.

Recycled Aggregate Pervious Concrete: Analysis of Influence of Water-Cement Ratio and Fly Ash under Single Action and Optimal Design of Mix Proportion

Pervious concrete is recommended,which is of great benefit to the ecological environment and human living environment.In this paper,the influences of five water-cement ratios and four fly ash contents to replace the cement by mass with a water-cement ratio of 0.30 on the properties of Recycled Aggregate Pervious Concrete(RAPC)were studied.Following this,based on the Grey relational-Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution(TOPSIS)optimization method,the strength,permeability,abrasion loss rate,and material costs of RAPC were adopted as evaluation indices to establish a mix proportion optimization model.The results show that the increase of water-cement ratio and fly ash replacement level of RAPC leads to decreased compres-sive strength while an increase in the permeability and abrasion loss rate.According to test results based on the optimal model 0.30 was identified as the best mix proportion.In addition,ecological-economic analysis of RAPC raw materials was carried out by comparing different natural aggregates.The results of EE(embodied energy)and ECO 2e(embodied CO_(2) emission)pointed out that the combination of recycled aggregate and fly ash leads to sig-nificant ecological and economic benefits.

濮阳市城市森林生态功能价值评估

在2006年濮阳市城市林业资源调查的基础上,借鉴有关评价森林生态效益的方法,选取对城市环境影响较大的6个方面,即吸收CO2、释放O2、净化环境、旅游休闲、野生动物保护和节能减排,初步估算出濮阳市城市森林生态功能效益年总价值约为29.51亿元。