Public Preference Analysis and Social Benefits Evaluation of River Basin Ecological Restoration: Application of the Choice Experiments for the Shiyang River, China
Table 1
Ecological restoration indicators for the Shiyang River Basin.
Restoration indicators
Meaning of the indicators
Levels
Upper reach ecological water allocation
The upper reach ecological water allocation included the basic water needs for the forest and grasslands in the upper reach of the Shiyang River within Gulang County and the irrigation of the artificial shelterbelt forests along the desert edges
7 million m3 (+0)
11 million m3 (+4)
15 million m3 (+8)
Middle reach ecological water allocation
The middle reach ecological water allocation mainly included the basic water needs and irrigation for the natural grasslands and shrubs along the middle reach of the Shiyang River in Liangzhou District, the irrigation of the artificial shelterbelt forests, and replenishment of groundwater
95 million m3 (+0)
115 million m3 (+20)
135 million m3 (+40)
Lower reach ecological water allocation
The lower reach ecological water allocation mainly included the basic water needs of natural dry-land vegetation (Russian olive, salt cedar, and Haloxylon ammodendron) in the Minqin Basin, irrigation for the artificial shelterbelt forests of the oasis, groundwater replenishment, and ecological water supplement to Qingtu Lake located near the end of the Shiyang River
100 million m3 (+0)
130 million m3 (+40)
160 million m3 (+60)
Hongyashan Reservoir water quality
The water quality of Hongyashan Reservoir refers to the water quality class. Clean water is the basis of human life and the survival of animal and plant populations (fish, waterbirds, plants, etc.). It also serves recreational functions such as swimming and fishing
Class IV; class III
WTP
To improve the ecological environment of the Shiyang River Basin and regional ecological security level, the annual willingness of each family will be paid in the next 10 years
