2013年-世界发展银行全球_India___Diagnostic_Assessment_of_Select_Environmental_Challenges_Volume_3_Valuation_of_Biodiversity_and_Ecosystem_Services_in_India_36页_997kb

Summary of "Valuation of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in India" (Volume III)

Core Content

This document is part of a comprehensive report on the valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem services in India, focusing on the economic value of these services. It outlines the current state of biodiversity and ecosystem services, their importance to the economy and society, and the methodologies used to estimate their value.

Main Points

• Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (ESS):
  Biodiversity underpins economic development, yet it is under threat globally. Ecosystem services, which are related to biodiversity, are being increasingly valued for their economic importance. The report highlights the need for accurate valuation to inform policy and management decisions.

• Ecosystem Services Categories:
  The report evaluates various ecosystem services, including:

  • Timber services of forests
  • Non-timber and fodder services of forests
  • Recreation and ecotourism services of forests
  • Water recharge services of forests
  • Contribution to prevention of soil erosion
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Non-use values of conservation forests
  • Services from grasslands, wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs

• Valuation Methodology:
  The valuation of ecosystem services in India is based on:

  • Indian studies for direct use values (e.g., timber, fodder, recreation, water recharge, and soil erosion prevention).
  • International studies for non-use values and services from grasslands, wetlands, mangroves, and coral reefs, with adjustments made for Indian-specific characteristics.

• Economic Valuation Results (2009):

  • The total value of ecosystem services in India is estimated at Rs. 1.4 trillion (US$29 billion), with a range of Rs. 746 billion (US$16 billion) to Rs. 2,577 billion (US$57 billion).
  • As a percentage of GDP, the total value of ecosystem services ranges from 1.6% to 5.5%.
  • Forests account for 22% of the total value, with fodder being the largest component within forests.
  • Wetlands contribute the most (48%), followed by coral reefs (22%), grasslands (7%), and mangroves (2%).

• Carbon Sequestration in Indian Forests:

  • The total carbon stock in Indian forests in 2005 was 6.62 billion metric tons, with an estimated range of 6.57 to 6.88 billion metric tons in 2009.
  • The annual increment in carbon stock ranges from -12 million tons to 63 million tons depending on the trend.
  • The value of carbon stock is estimated between Rs. 9,072 billion and Rs. 24,311 billion, with the corresponding flow values ranging from -42 billion to 224 billion.
  • As a percentage of GDP, the carbon stock value ranges from 19.9% to 51.0%, and the annual increment is between 0.1% and 0.2%.

• Non-use Values of Conservation Forests:

  • Non-use values are derived from the willingness to pay to conserve forests, even by those who do not use them.
  • These values are estimated using a meta-analysis function based on international studies.
  • The mean and median non-use value per hectare for Indian forests is between Rs. 723,947 and Rs. 861,413 (US$18,135 to US$15,241).
  • The total non-use value for Indian forests is between Rs. 14.25 billion and Rs. 17.1 billion (US$300 million to US$360 million annually).

• Limitations and Recommendations:

  • The study acknowledges that current estimates are conservative due to the lack of comprehensive data on all ecosystem services.
  • Some services, such as bio-prospecting and services from lakes and rivers, are not included.
  • The benefit transfer method is used for many services, but it has well-recognized limitations in terms of accuracy.
  • The transfer error is estimated at ±100%, indicating the need for local studies to improve accuracy.
  • The study recommends that future work should focus on:
    • More accurate assessment of who benefits from ecosystem services.
    • Conducting local studies to replace the benefit transfer method over time.
    • Capturing missing services such as bio-prospecting and lakes and rivers.

Key Information

• Timeframe: All figures are based on 2009 values, with rupees (Rs.) and dollar equivalents (US$) using an exchange rate of Rs. 47.5 to US$1.
• Data Sources:
  • The Indian Green Accounting Study (GAISP) for direct use values.
  • The Global Biodiversity Model (IMAGE-GLOBIO3) for assessing biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
  • The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) for forest area data.
  • The TEEB study for international valuation functions and benefit transfer methods.
• Policy Relevance: The National Mission for a Green India, part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), is highlighted as a key policy initiative aimed at enhancing ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, by increasing forest and tree cover on 5 million hectares by 2020.

Conclusion

This report provides a valuable insight into the economic significance of biodiversity and ecosystem services in India. It underscores the importance of conservation and the need for accurate valuation to support sustainable development policies. The study highlights the current state of forest and other ecosystem services, the economic value they provide, and the limitations of the current valuation methods, suggesting that more localized studies and comprehensive data collection are necessary to improve the accuracy and applicability of future assessments.