Evaluating losses in ecosystem services in nature reserves in Sichuan, China

Abstract

Nature reserves have developed rapidly over the decades in China and play a significant role in the function of ecosystem services. The function of ecosystem services in nature reserves, however, has tended to decline in recent years due to natural hazards and human activities. Based on land use, the variation of ecosystem services value (ESV) during 2000–2010 in national nature reserves in Sichuan was evaluated. We analyzed the comprehensive effects of natural disasters and human activities on the decline of ESVs. Total ESV in the national nature reserves in Sichuan was approximately 2741.35 million US$ in 2000, 2616.81 million US$ in 2005, and 2499.06 million US$ in 2010, representing a decrease of 242.29 million US$, or 8.84%, in the decade. Forestland, grassland, wetland, and water bodies played vital roles in the function of ecosystem services, with an aggregated ESV of 99% of the total. The largest proportion of the total ESV was the protection of biodiversity at 48.6%. ESV of all land use types and single ecosystem services continued to decline during 2000–2010. A mechanism of adaptable risk prevention should be established, and unreasonable human activities should be avoided to protect ecosystems and to improve the functions of ecosystem services.

Keywords:

• land use change
• ecosystem services value
• human activity
• nature reserve
• natural hazard
• Three Gorges Dam

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the staff of the report of the key techniques for monitoring and conserving important biological species and for demonstrating its application in China [No. 2008BAC439B00].

Funding

This research was financially supported by the National Special Scientific Research of Environmental Protection Public Welfare Project (grant no. 201209027, grant no. 201409055), the National Science and Technology Support Project (grant no. 2012BAC01B00) and Remote Sensing Investigation and Assessment on the National Ecological Environment Change over Decade (2000–2010).