Premium
Evaluating the value of ecological water considering water quality and quantity simultaneously
Author(s) -
Liu Jiyao,
Zhao Minjuan,
Yao Liuyang,
Liu Wenxin,
Fan Gongyuan
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/wej.12566
Subject(s) - structural basin , water quality , water resources , environmental science , ecology , china , drainage basin , water resource management , hydrology (agriculture) , geography , biology , geology , cartography , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , paleontology
This study applies a choice experiment to evaluate the value of ecological water and investigate public preferences in the Shiyang River Basin, which is an ecologically fragile region in China. The four ecological attributes were ecological water quantity in the upper sub‐basin, ecological water quantity in the middle sub‐basin, ecological water quantity in the lower sub‐basin, water quality in Hongyashan Reservoir. The results show that water quality was the most preferred attribute among all the chosen attributes, and public prefer the increase of the ecological water quantity in the lower sub‐basin. In addition, it was concluded that increases of 40 million m 3 and 60 million m 3 of the ecological water quantity in the middle and lower sub‐basins, respectively, with the ecological water quality improved from Class IV to III, would be worth 2.82 billion RMB. The research findings are expected to support strategies for regional water resources allocation as well as help to understand public support for the policy.