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Arid Land Geography ›› 2026, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (8): 1640-1652.doi: 10.12118/j.issn.1000-6060.2025.564

• Ecology and Environment • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Value of ecosystem services and intra-regional ecological compensation in Inner Mongolia based on the improved value equivalence method

ZHANG Qing1(), A Rong1,2,3(), TONG Baoquan1,2,3, LI Xiaocan1, BAO Wenjie1, GE Rileqimuge1, XIE Yuanzhi1   

  1. 1 College of Geographical Science, Inner Mongolia Normal University, Hohhot 010022, Inner Mongolia, China
    2 Key Laboratory of Climate Change and Regional Response on the Mongolian Plateau for Regional Institutions of Higher Education, Hohhot 010022, Inner Mongolia, China
    3 Mongolian Plateau Research Center, Hohhot 010022, Inner Mongolia, China
  • Received:2025-09-18 Revised:2025-10-10 Online:2026-08-25 Published:2026-08-21
  • Contact: A Rong E-mail:20234016030@mails.imnu.edu.cn;20180016@imnu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Based on the value equivalent method modified by three coefficients of “spatial heterogeneity, socio-economic factors, and resource scarcity”, this study assesses the ecosystem service value (ESV) of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 2000 to 2022. Using the 2022 gross domestic product of each city and prefecture, this study identifies the ecological compensation space, calculates the priority of compensation subjects and beneficiaries, and proposes a horizontal ecological compensation strategy suitable for the local area. The study reveals the following: (1) The land use types in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region are mainly grassland and desert, with the main characteristics of change being the mutual transformation between grassland and farmland, as well as between grassland and desert. (2) From 2000 to 2022, the ESV of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has experienced an increasing trend, from 6346.03×108 yuan in 2000 to 10582.23×108 yuan in 2022, with an increase of 66.75%. The contribution of grassland to the total ESV has always been the highest, accounting for more than 57.00%. Regulating services contribute the most to the ESV of the study area (66.79% to 67.16%). Climate regulation and hydrological regulation are the most important ecological functions in the study area. The spatial distribution of Inner Mongolia’s ESV is “higher in the east and lower in the west”. (3) Among the 12 cities and prefectures, the priority order of compensation recipients is as follows: Hulunbeir City>Xilin Gol League>Xing’an League>Alxa League>Ulanqab City. Further, the priority order of compensation providers is as follows: Hohhot City>Baotou City>Erdos City>Tongliao City. Bayannur City, Wuhai City, and Chifeng City are the coordinating subjects. This study provides an important theoretical basis and practical reference for improving the scientific decision-making of ecological compensation in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and promoting the coordinated development of regional ecological protection and economy.

Key words: ecosystem service value, improved value equivalence method, ecological compensation, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region