Evaluation of the service function value of grassland ecosystems in Gansu Province using the equivalence factor method

Estimation of the ecosystem service value of grasslands is important for understanding the importance of this land type and maintaining ecological security in Gansu Province. In this study, the benchmark unit price of the ecosystem service value of grasslands in Gansu Province was calculated using data of the main grain crops in the province. Combined with the biomass data of each grassland type, the ecosystem service value equivalent of each grassland type in Gansu Province was both revised and calculated. The results showed that 1) the value of other ecosystem services provided by grasslands was much greater than the value of the providing services; 2) the ecosystem service value per unit area of warm shrub herbosa in Gansu Province was the highest (84 418.28 CNY·ha⁻¹) and that of the temperate desert was the lowest (10 120.21 CNY·ha⁻¹); 3) the grassland ecosystem service value was 7 069.73 × 10⁸ CNY, which was 23 times more than the total output value of animal husbandry in Gansu Province and almost equal to the gross domestic product of the province in 2016; and 4) the alpine meadow had the highest ecosystem service value (1 733.27 × 10⁸ CNY), and its contribution rate to the grassland ecosystem service value in Gansu Province was 24.52%. The ecosystem service value of the alpine desert was the lowest (58.51 × 10⁸ CNY), and its contribution rate was 0.83%. The data from this study provide a basis for the scientific and reasonable estimation of ecosystem service values and the formulation of punitive measures against players contributing to ecosystem damage.