Valuation of shrimp ecosystem services – a case study in Leizhou City, China

Abstract

The economic valuation of ecosystem services is an effective way to understand the multiple benefits provided. Effluent and other environmental problems must be properly managed if shrimp aquaculture is to achieve sustainability. Evaluation of shrimp ecosystems can facilitate voluntary improvements in the environmental performance of shrimp farms. This study evaluated shrimp ecosystem services in Leizhou City, Guangdong Province, using the market method (MM), carbon tax rate method (CRM), reforestation cost method (RCM) and contingent valuation method (CVM), based on results of input–output analysis and water quality of shrimp ponds. We examined both direct and indirect value of shrimp ecosystem services at large and small spatial scales. This study has quantified the multiple benefits and costs of shrimp ecosystems, suggests a more feasible basis for coastal environmental management and sustainability of shrimp aquaculture.

Keywords:

• aquaculture
• effluent
• fishery
• sustainable development
• water quality

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by the Special Foundation ‘211’ Project for Higher Education in South China Normal University, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 30570287); Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province (grant nos. 06025052 and 8151063101000035), and Guangdong Provincial Oceanic Fisheries Science and Technology Project (grant no. A200899D01). We sincerely thank Steve Blake of the Nature Conservancy China Program for helpful critiques of the manuscript.