Performance evaluation of ecological compensation policy for cultivated land in China

The paper evaluates the changes in the ecological environment of cultivated land in the major crop-producing areas major crop-producing areas in the past 20 years by constructing an ecological pollution index;and quantitatively analyzes the effects of the existing policies and their main influencing factors by applying the PSM-DID method based on the frequency of policy enactment.The results are as follows:first,the existing ecological compensation policies for cultivated land are effective but not significant in improving the ecological environment in the major crop-producing areas.The economic development level and grain cultivation area of the major crop-producing areas are significantly and positively correlated with the improvement of the arable land ecological environment,while the level of agricultural infrastructure construction is significantly and negatively correlated with the improvement of the arable land ecological environment.Second,the reason for the ineffectiveness of the current arable ecological land compensation policy in protecting the arable land ecological environment in the main grain-producing regions is that the existing arable ecological land compensation policy in China has its own institutional defects and needs to be further improved.At the same time,the level of environmental pollution of cultivated land in the main grain-producing regions is positively correlated with the level of income from cultivated land and cultivated area.

Quantitative Research on Ecological Compensation among Every City of Guangdong Province Based on Ecological Footprint and Ecological Carrying Capacity

Based on the relative theories and methods of ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity,and according to practical conditions of Guangdong Province,this paper tried to put forward the determinant standard for ecological compensation through calculating the ecological footprint and ecological carrying capacity of every city in Guangdong Province. The results indicated that the ecological footprint of each city was in the status of deficit and the deficit level decreased gradually from developed regions of Pearl River Delta to the outlying regions. The cities which belonged to development areas of Pearl River Delta needed to pay ecological compensation,such as Guangzhou and Shenzhen and so on. In contrast,the cities which accepted compensation were underdeveloped areas,such as Heyuan and Jieyuan and so on.

Characteristics and Measurements of Ecological Compensation in Ecosystem

This research was to introduce the characteristics of and countermeasures for ecological compensation. From the analysis of the current situation of ecological compensation, a series of characteristics of ecological compensation in resource exploitation and economic development were elaborated. The principles and practical issues are complex in ecological compensation, and the corresponding object, entity, financial system of ecological compensation are the keys to set up compensation mechanism, and studying of ecosystem service function and ecological footprint calculation are important ways to quantitatively assess ecological compensation, and are also important foundations for establishing calculation system of green GDP. Advocating the benefit compensation mechanism of ecological economy and enclosing ecological compensation principle are important ways for establishing the new environmental management pattern and manifesting social justice and the ecological civilization ideas. This research proposed some views of and approaches to ecological compensation mechanism for constructing natural resource development and utilization.The establishment of ecological compensation is an important approach to prevent the imbalance of resource allocation, the system guarantee for sustainable development, and the important basis of saving resources.

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.

Study on Safeguard System of Eco-tourism Compensation of Hukou Section during Ecological Water-control Project of Poyang Lake

Through analysis on the background to develop eco-tourism and necessity for ecological compensation,based on specific condition of Hukou County,in line with the situation to develop eco-tourism during ecological water control project of Poyang Lake,residents' interest protection system and ecological benefit safeguard system for eco-tourism compensation were put forward.

Ecological Compensation Design of Residential Environment in Small Towns

In view of the current situation of the residential environment in small towns,some methods of ecological compensation design were discussed,such as the improvement of planting quality,the selection of suitable tree species,reasonable construction and management methods,expansion of space and so on.Meanwhile,some rational suggestions were put forward on strengthening the ecological and cultural construction of residential areas and enhancing residents' awareness of environmental protection.

Ecosystem Service Flow Insights into Horizontal Ecological Compensation Standards for Water Resource: A Case Study in Dongjiang Lake Basin, China

Water supply services(WSSs) are critical for the regional water balance and water circulation, but relevant studies have not established the relationship between WSSs and human well-being. This research identifies the scope of areas that benefit from WSSs from an ecosystem service flow perspective. Moreover, the path and quantity of the flow of WSSs are simulated to provide a scientific theoretical basis for ecosystem service management and ecological compensation. The Dongjiang Lake Basin is a national priority river basin in China where ecological compensation pilot programmes concerning water resources are top priorities. Dongjiang Lake Basin experienced an increase and then a decrease in the overall supply of water, with an average net water supply of 1096–1500 mm for the years 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010. The water demand increased each year in service beneficiary areas(SBAs), varying from 387 to 580 mm. Overall, Dongjiang Lake Basin met the net water demands of the actual SBAs in the lower reaches, but a gap in the water supply and demand emerged gradually. This research provides an understanding of the functional mechanisms for the provision, demand and flow of WSSs and provides a scientific theoretical basis for ecosystem service management and ecological compensation.

Connotation and principles of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas based on the theory of externality

Understanding the connotation and principles of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas is the basis and guarantee for establishing and improving the ecological compensation mechanism of water source reserve areas.First,this paper reviews the three stages of ecological compensation research progress.Based on the review,using the theory of externality,the ecological environment system of water source reserve areas is then analyzed.This paper argues that the connotation of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas is a kind of institutional arrangement,which is designed to internalize externalities.Finally,based on the understanding of the connotation of ecological compensation in water source reserve areas,five principles for establishing and improving the ecological compensation mechanism are proposed,including the principle of fairness and justice,the principle of equivalence of equality and responsibility,the principle of flexibility and effectiveness,the principle of "earmark funds,and implementation by law," and the principle of government compensation supplemented with market compensation.

Suggestions on Forest Ecological Compensation—Taking Mudanjiang City as an Example

The forest ecological compensation is an important factor to balance the interests of different areas for sustainable development and environment protection. Mudanjiang City in Heilongjiang Province of China is rich of forest resources. The forestry coverage rate reached 62.3% in 2014, after forestry conservation program from 2002. The authors explored the factors impacted on forest ecological compensation in Mudanjiang City, which was a demonstration as a case study, through experts＇ evaluation scores and AHP methodology to analyze the forest ecological compensation factors and lay the foundation for the establishment of ecological compensation mechanism. At the same time, we provided an example to explore the effective way and speed up the establishment of ecological compensation mechanism. The study found that the main factors that determined forest ecological compensation in Mudanjiang City were ecology and natural resources. Based on the analyses, some suggestions were put forward to promote the mechanism in a sustainable way.

Study on Ecological Compensation Policy among the Micro Subjects on Water Energy Resources Development

The subjects of ecological compensation involve the nation, society, development enterprises of wa-ter-energy resources, as well as the location of resource itself. This paper systematically studies on how to make “water energy sources market compensation policy”, “the economic compensation policy for relevant interest subjects” and “the ecological compensation policy of basin ecological water.” So, it is necessary to exert the complementary function between market compensation and government compensation by the means of economic compensation and to establish the ecological compensation policy of basin ecological water, which is beneficial to coordinating the stakeholders’ interests of cross-region or inter-basin. And it is important and significant to establish constantly perfected ecological compensation policy among the micro subjects on water energy resources development, so as to coordinate interest relationships among various subjects and finally reach the aim of sustainable use of water energy resources and environmental protection as possible.

Agro-food Quality and Safety Based on Agro-ecological Compensation

Reflection of the rise of agro-food production costs is analyzed based on the introduction of the quality safety situation of agricultural products in China.Firstly,rise of production costs caused by the demarcation of prohibited areas;secondly,rise of production costs caused by using environment-friendly agricultural inputs;thirdly,rise of production costs caused by quality control;fourthly,rise of production costs caused by product identification.The ecological compensation mechanism which is beneficial to agro-food quality safety is set up according to the principle "the one who is benefited compensates".Firstly,laws and regulations of agricultural production compensation are to be actively perfected.Secondly,experience of developed countries can be borrowed to establish a fiscal transfer payment system of production compensation.Thirdly,ecological agriculture is to be developed to produce products with safety and excellent quality.Since agro-ecological compensation can make up for the costs paid for protecting agro-ecological environment and producing safe agro-products by agro-food producers and is beneficial to motivating producers' initiative,compensation is made for agricultural producers from compensation objects,compensation scope and compensation mechanism to improve the quality safety level of agricultural products.

Study on Ecological Compensation for Coal Mining Activities Based on Economic Externalities

The development and exploration mode of coal resource activities in China result in tremendous waste of resources and ecological environment pollution problems. This article analyzed the use of economic theory of externalities of coal mining activities from the point of environmental economics principles, proposed the ecological compensation connotation of coal mining activities, and analyzed the feasibility of the implementation of ecological compensation from economic viewpoint.

Negotiation System of Ecological Compensation of Water Source Areas

In view of no generally accepted ecological compensation standards and methods at present,this paper discusses the introduction of the negotiation system to the process of ecological compensation for water source areas.That is,the government in water source areas and the downstream regions of river basins should confirm their respective rights and obligations and then establish their compensation standards through negotiations according to the different purposes of water use.The amount of compensation should be determined in the comprehensive consideration of the quality,quantity and compensation price of water.Through open and fair negotiations,an institutional arrangement will be set up,which can make the water source areas and the downstream regions of river basins fully express their true preferences and their independent choices on the ecological environment.

Research Progress on Poverty Alleviation by Ecological Compensation

Ecological poverty alleviation is one of China’s accurate poverty alleviation strategies. The Guiding Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Three-year Action to Win the Fight against Poverty issued in August 2018 calls for innovating ecological poverty alleviation mechanisms,strengthening ecological protection and restoration in poor areas,and achieving a win-win situation of ecological improvement and poverty alleviation. Poverty alleviation by ecological compensation has realized the effective combination of ecological protection compensation and accurate poverty alleviation policy mechanism. Although China has achieved some practical results in ecological poverty alleviation at the policy level,the combination of ecological protection and accurate poverty alleviation and the corresponding policy measures have not yet been fully integrated. Moreover,the mode of ecological compensation for poverty alleviation is not perfect,and the corresponding operating mechanism of ecological compensation for poverty alleviation has not been fully established. This paper summarizes and expounds the present situation of ecological compensation research( including ecological compensation concept,ecological compensation mechanism,ecological compensation mode),the current situation of ecological poverty alleviation research( including the relationship between ecological compensation and poverty alleviation,ecological poverty alleviation model,ecological poverty alleviation mechanism),and then analyzes the main problems existing in the current poverty alleviation by ecological compensation. This paper puts forward the breakthrough points of establishing and perfecting ecological compensation to help the poor,so as to provide a reference basis for further promoting the development of ecological poverty alleviation.

Compensation for forest ecological services in China

The paper discusses methods to compensate for the costs incurred in the supply of forest ecological services （FES）, i.e. government dominated and market-based instruments as well as progress made so far in China. Factors which constrain the supply of these services and potential policy improvements are presented.

Discussions and Recommendations about Establishing Agro-ecological Compensation Mechanism in Jiangsu Province

Establishing agro-ecological compensation mechanism is the objective requirement for protecting agricultural ecological environment on the prerequisite of stabilizing and benefiting farmers,to realize protection in the process of development and promote development through protection.This study analyzed existing problems in the practice of establishing agro-ecological compensation mechanism in Jiangsu Province,including failure to form systematic compensation system due to limited technological reserve,failure to bring into play expected compensation effect due to scant attention,and failure to set up perfect input mechanism due to insufficient financing channel.In line with these problems,it came up with feasible policy recommendations,including strictly implementing top frame design for agro-ecological compensation and giving impetus to standardized and institutionalized work,building pilot demonstration area for agro-ecological compensation,setting up diversified agro-ecological compensation approaches,establishing long-term security mechanism for agro-ecological compensation,and strengthening propaganda and education of agro-ecological compensation.It is expected to provide reference for establishing agro-ecological compensation mechanism in Jiangsu Province,and also provide system guarantee for promoting ecological progress and agricultural modernization in Jiangsu Province.

Measure of Watershed Ecological Compensation Standard Based on WTP and WTA

In this paper,Liao River Basin was taken as the research object and field surveys were conducted in Fudedian,the source of Liao river mainstream and Panjin,the estuary of Liao River. Through the questionnaires,the willingness to pay ( WTP) and willingness to accept ( WTA) of the residents in Liao River Basin were analyzed. Then based on analysis of the existing ecological compensation standard measuring methods,the WTP and WTA using contingent valuation method ( CVM) were measured and analyzed. Without considering other factors,and based on using the nonparametric estimation method,it was concluded the ecological compensation standard of Liao River Basin was 160. 72 yuan/person·years. When considering other factors,using the parametric estimation we obtain that the ecological compensation standard of Liao River Basin was 255. 97 yuan/person·years. Measuring the respondents' WTP and WTA at the same time and processing the average can actually reflect the respondents' real WTP,thus to a certain extent solving the problems of high compensation caused by formulating ecological compensation standards according to measuring WTP of respondents separately. In addition,the policy suggestions have been proposed from three aspects including financial transfer payment,ecological compensation forms and public participation system. This will not only protect residents' right to know and strengthen public participation and supervision,but also benefit the comprehensive implementation of ecological environment of Liao River Basin and establishment of a long-term mechanism of water resources protection.

Problems of Marine Ecological and Environmental Compensations of Oil Spill in China

In recent years, the frequent occurrences of marine oil spills have already become one of the major reasons threatening the marine ecological safety of China. In the event of oil spill, oth-er than taking the necessary emergent measures aiming specifically at the damage to the marine ecology and environment, using legal means to assure that the damage liabilities are borne by the respon-sible persons to protect the national interests are also very neces-sary. This paper advances five recommendations regarding the development of a system for ecological legal compensations from the standpoint of the current status of legislation and execution of the laws on compensation of oil spill polluting marine ecosystem. These five recommendations include: determination of the status of juristic action in marine ecological and environmental compen-sations in accordance with the laws, determination of plaintiff of marine ecological and environmental compensations in accordance with the laws, determination of the four basic principles in the le-gal actions of marine ecological and environmental compensations in accordance with the laws, determination of assessment technical standard of marine ecological and environmental damages in ac-cordance with the laws, and determination of the scope of marine ecological and environmental compensations in accordance with the laws.

Study on Development Process and Mechanism of Ecological Compensation in Beijing and Hebei Province

The problem of water resources has become a bottleneck for the sustainable development of Beijing and Hebei Province (the two regions together are called "Jingji Region" for short).It is imperative to establish an effective and equitable water resources ecological compensation (eco-compensation) mechanism.The three stages of water resources eco-compensation are expatiated here namely the eco-compensation missing stage,ecocompensation start stage and the eco-compensation development stage.Through the establishment of eco-compensation game model based on the game theory,the reasons of the formation for the three stages were analyzed,as well as the conversion conditions from non-cooperative game to cooperative game among the related stakeholders including the central government,the water recipient government and the water source government.Furthermore,this study pointed out that the water resources eco-compensation in Jingji Region was not established based on the institution,but formed and developed in coping with the challenges of water crisis.However,institution construction is quite essential in game process for the water recipient government and the water source government.Finally recommendations in four areas including legalization of eco-compensation mechanism,setting up compensation standards,leading industrial upgrading and developing related incentives and constraints were concluded.

Long-term ecological compensation policies and practices in China:Insights from the Three Rivers Headwaters Area

Using the Three Rivers Headwaters Area in China as a pilot project, this study has investigated the effectiveness of the ecological compensation policies and practices have implemented in this area over the past decade. Major issues have encountered during the implementation process, including the formidable extent of grassland degradation, the comprehensive nature of measures needed to restore the ecosystem, and the time needed to achieve these goals. These issues are discussed, and remedial measures proposed. They include: drafting regulations giving the Three Rivers Headwaters Area ecological protection, setting aside funds for ecological compensation and establishing a national park, using an ecological assets accounting methodology for financial reporting purposes, designing a science-based approach for conducting the livestock husbandry population migration, enhancing the oversight capacity for all aspects of the ecological compensation process, and making an overall plan to promote the harmonious development of this area together with other regions in Qinghai Province.