Primary evaluation of the indirect value on rangeland ecosystem services in Northern agropastoral ecotonea case study in Taipusi banner and Guyuan league

Based on aboveground biomass of rangeland, the fixation of CO2, release of O2, soil erosion control, conservation of water source and nutrient cycles which were 5 rangeland ecosystem services in northern agropastoral ecotone (which lies in Taipusi banner and Guyuan league) were evaluated using market value approach, material balance approach, water budget approach in this paper. The result showed the indirect value of five rangeland ecosystem services in farmland zone and in rangeland zone were 16 668 yuan/(hm2a) and 17 223 yuan/(hm2a). Although the later was higher 3.33% than the first, it didnt lead to significant decrease of indirect value of ecosystem services in study agropastoral ecotone site because of the interference of cultivation activities. This indicated that maintaining agricultural activities or returning more farmland to grass might promote sustainable development and ecological role of natural rangeland ecosystem. However, if cultivated or destroyed rangeland continuously, ecosystem services of rangeland would decrease, and ecological barrier role of rangeland also would drop or disappear.