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Arid Land Geography ›› 2022, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 1604-1614.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2021.512

• Regional Development • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Assessing the ecological function value of fruit plantation in arid areas under a new pattern of harmonious coexistence between man and nature: A case of southern Xinjiang

JIANG Guirong1,2(),QIN Jianxiong3   

  1. 1. College of Economics, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
    2. College of Economics and Management, Tarim University, Aral 843300, Xinjiang, China
    3. College of Tourism and History & Culture, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan, China
  • Received:2021-11-04 Revised:2022-04-21 Online:2022-09-25 Published:2022-10-20
  • Contact: Jianxiong QIN E-mail:1184446048@qq.com

Abstract:

Quantitative evaluation of the ecological function value of fruit plantation in arid areas can help people, especially fruit growers, to fully understand the role and effects of fruit plantation in improving the local ecological environment. In addition to considering economic factors, more attention must be paid to ecological factors in order to achieve the synergistic benefits of environmental protection, economic development related to fruit cultivation and increased revenue for farmers. The research was conducted in southern Xinjiang, China. The research methodology consisted of the Shadow Project Method, reforestation cost method, opportunity cost method, and cost substitution method. The results showed: (1) Ecological function value of fruit plantation increased from 41.22×108-45.11×108 CNY in 2003 to 110.86×108-121.05×108 CNY in 2018. It reached a peak of 141.02×108 CNY in 2010, but the overall environment value showed a downward trend with slight fluctuation. In terms of specific ecological function, the sequence, from high to low, was carbon fixation and oxygen release, protection of biodiversity, conservation of soil, water conservation, and air purification. Regionally, the ranking of states (except 2003) was also fixed. From high to low, it was Kashgar Prefecture, Aksu Prefecture, Bayingol Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Hotan Prefecture, and Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture. Similar trends in development were observed in Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture and Kashgar Prefectures, where the fluctuation range was large, and the development trend was the closest to the whole. Furthermore, Hotan Prefecture showed a steady increase of 11.10%. (2) Owing to the instability of the planting scale, the total ecological value of the fruit industry in southern Xinjiang fluctuated and showed a downward trend. It reached its highest level in 2010, followed by a downward trend. (3) In more arid and sandy areas, fruit planting can have profound, long-term effects on air purification and water conservation. Based on these findings, the government should publicize the ecological benefits of fruit planting and develop policies in support of the industry, including subsidies for fruit farmers. At the same time, considering the spatial proximity effect, all prefectures should make a unified and reasonable plan of fruit production layout.

Key words: fruit industry, ecological function value, arid area, southern Xinjiang