| Multifunctionality of forest can be classified into three parts,namely, economic benefit, ecological service and social value; however, a larger part of ecological service could not be realized via normal market transactions, because of market-failure which originated from externality and public goods. Consequently, it is crucial to establish eco-compensation mechanism which has become one of the hot spots in the field of ecological economic studies. In other words, eco-compensation (or Payment for Environmental Service) is employed to subsidize providers of forest ecological goods and service in some extent, to solve such problems as market failure, so that it can ensure social equality and justice while protecting ecosystems, then help to provide environment service continuously.As the only province that is all located in tropical areas, Hainan Island is situated at the southernmost part of China. It is regarded as the most important tropical floral and fauna genetic treasury in China. Moreover, the complicated structure and unique ecological functions play an irreplaceable role on the maintenance of the whole island as the ecological balance. Unfortunately, rainforests are still being destroyed or threatened in some extent because the value of rainforest land is perceived as only the value of its timber by short-sighted governments, interstatal logging companies, and land owners. Obviously, it is high time that we take some measures to solve the problem. This study aims to estimate total ecological value of rainforest by various methods or tools in Hainan Province, and then set out to explore eco-compensation mechanism for rainforest. On one hand, it is crucial to implement responsibility which is set by Kyotol Protocol; on the other hand, to contribute to construction of eco-province for Hainan.Naturally,the present study employed various methods including positive analysis and normative analysis, static analysis and dynamic analysis, questionnaire investigation and expert interview, principles of modern economy, mathematical statistics methods and logical analysis. A case study was also made in 11 state-owned forestry area in central mountainous area. On these bases, new reasonable mechanism and inspirations for eco-compensation are being established. Major findings and results are as follows:In the first place, the estimation value of rainforest in Hainan can be expressed in sequence as biodiversity accounting 42%,carbon storage and oxygen release 29%,water conservation and purification 15%,timber 7%,eco-tourism 4% and soil formation and retention 3%,in other words, total value of ecological service is as much as 12.6 times that of timber value. In virtue of Statistical Analysis System, water supply and treatment, carbon storage and sequestration, oxygen release, nutrient cycling and erosion control are being analyzed among rainforest, rubber and eucalyptus plantations. Analysis of variance suggested that their difference is highly significant with F=262.23 >F0.01. Then it is concluded that planting rubber or eucalyptus after logging rainforest is not advisable in a sustainable and ecological view.The construction of rainforest eco-compensation mechanism in Hainan Province are being suggested inspiring government at all levels as the main stakeholders, and promoting ecological service market transactions at the same time. The market transactions which have potential to develop turn out to be: carbon trade market, biodiversity market, watershed protection market and landscape beauty market. In addition, as to incentive and restrictive manner for operators, markets are sure to be more flexible and effective. As a result, it is believed that suitable measures should be taken to guide establishment and development of ecological service market.It is considered that methods as public financing compensation, preferential policies, technical and intellectual support, or materials compensation should be draw on as eco-compensation means. Take all the economic value conceived by these three methods monetarily, state's fiscal need to provide RMB650 million yuan annually to compensate tropical natural forests, and Hainan provincial government RMB 160 million yuan annually, which will flow into public or collective forestry enterprises and foresters respectively.Finally, it is also recommended that establishing a special compensation fund to achieve watershed protection in Nandu River, where the capital comes from following ways according to Hainan's economic conditions: 0.01 yuan for every kilowatt-hour electricity from water electric generating station, 0.07yuan/ m3 from industrial and urban water usage, 120.0 yuan / ha from agricultural water usage. Totally, RMB 42.13 million yuan is being raised each year for watershed forest and related environmental projects conservation on the upstream community.In conclusion,efforts and exploration have been made on aspects as value estimation of ecological goods and services provided by natural forest in Hainan Province, integrated eco-compensation mechanism for rainforest in Hainan Province are being launched out, while developing market for water services from forests in Nandu watershed as a highlight. It is believed that all of these rewarding results will be benefitial to eco-compensation and its practice in certain extent. |
PDF Full Text Request