Evaluation of ecosystem service value of the grape industry at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain, Ningxia, China.

Using statistical data from Statistics Bureau of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Grape Industry Development Bureau of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and National Bureau of Statistics, ecosystem service value of grape industry at the eastern foot of Helan Mountain in Ningxia was evaluated from eight facets, i.e., food production, carbon fixation and oxygen release, air purification, soil conservation, water-holding, water conservation and efficiency, eco-tourism, and ecological poverty alleviation. The results showed that: 1) ecosystem service value of the grape industry was 3.6 billion (RMB), with direct benefit of 2.2 billion and the ecological benefit of 1.4 billion. Ecological benefit accounted for 38.85% of the total ecosystem service value. 2) The service value of the grape industry was in the order of ecological poverty alleviation> eco-tourism> carbon fixation and oxygen release> water conservation and efficiency > air purification > soil conservation> water-holding. 3) Among the ecological benefits, the value of ecological poverty alleviation was the highe-st, accounting for 64.39%; the value of ecotourism was the second, accounting for 24.47%. The results indicated the necessity of assessing ecosystem service value of the grape industry, which could enable people to realize the direct economic benefits as well as the ecological benefits. This study had important reference value for comprehensively guiding the healthy and sustainable deve-lopment of the grape industry.

[Research on the relationship between water and eco-environment construction in Loess Hilly and Gully regions].

Water is an important factor for eco-environmental construction. Eco-environmental construction has a great impact on water. There is a circular correlation between eco-environmental construction and water. Water resource is lack and loss of soil and water is serious in the loess hilly and gully regions. The regions are the main regions of eco-environmental construction, especially of vegetation restoration and rehabilitation. It is important studying the relationship between water and eco-environmental construction in the regions. According to the data in Yanhe River watershed, some conclusion are demonstrated: 1. More water resource was demanded when population was increasing rapidly and economy was developing fleetly. Water for eco-environmental construction was threatened directly. 2. Eco-environmental construction, especially the built vegetation decreased the runoff. The dried soil layers have appeared in some places. 3. Shortage of water resource limited the farther tree and grass planting and brought on some negative impacts. Small aged trees have appeared in some places. The eco-environmental benefits of the built vegetation have been influenced. On the basis of relationship between water and eco-environmental construction, some advice for sustainable use of water resource, sustainable construction of eco-environment and sustainable development of society and economy was given.