Practice and reflections on realizing the value of ecological products in water conservancy scenic areas:a case study of Shiqiao Reservoir
JIAO Taiwen
LU Hui
LIAO Wei
AI Bing
SHUI Dongcheng
YANG Wei
Abstract：Hubei Province,serving as the core ecological barrier of the Yangtze River Economic Belt,has been actively exploring pathways for realizing the value of ecological products in water conservancy scenic areas.By the end of 2024,the province had designated 95 water conservancy scenic areas at or above the provincial level,with reservoir-type areas accounting for 64.2%.Taking the Shiqiao Reservoir Provincial Water Conservancy Scenic Area in Ezhou City as a pilot,this study develops a full-chain"protection-accounting-realization"framework for realizing the value of ecological products.Based on the value of ecosystem products(VEP)methodology for specific territorial units,the study constructs an accounting system comprising 17 indicators grouped into 9 sub-classes in 3 classes:material supply,regulating services,and cultural services.The total value of ecological products in 2023 was estimated at RMB 402 million,with regulating services contributing 54.11%,cultural services 41.82%and material supply 4.07%.A zoning-based realization strategy was then implemented.Shiqiao Village adopted a"water-culture+"model,introducing a water-quality assurance fee and developing water-science tourism and recreational fisheries.Yueshihong Village pursued a"countryside+wellness"approach by establishing organic farms and forest homestays.Li'ao Village focused on"ecology+adventure",piloting carbon-credit transactions and geoscientific excursions.Institutionally,Ezhou City issued China's first municipal Administrative Measures for Water Eco-product Trading and completed the inaugural transaction of 355.88 mu(about 23.7 hm2)of eco-tourism operating rights.The proceeds were earmarked for environmental remediation,forming a closed"resource-asset-capital-feedback"loop.This paper recommends refining the technical standards for VEP accounting,expanding the tradable asset register,strengthening legal safeguards,and scaling up the Hubei zoning-based realization model.
Keywords：water conservancy scenic areaecological product valuevalue accountingrealization pathwaycarbon-credit tradingeco-compensation mechanismShiqiao Reservoir
Publication Date：2026-01-12
Online Publishing Date：2026-01-27(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：7( 52-58 )