Interaction between ecosystem services and rural poverty reduction: Evidence from China

• DOI: 10.1016/j.envsci.2021.01.011
• Publication Date: 2021-02-10T13:51:14Z
• Authors: Jing Shuai; Jing Liu; Jinhua Cheng; Xin Cheng; Jing Wang
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; 0211 other engineering and technologies; 1. No poverty; 02 engineering and technology; 15. Life on land; 10. No inequality; 12. Responsible consumption

Abstract This paper firstly proposed an analytical framework for the relationship between ecosystem services value (ESV) and multidimensional poverty-reduction index; then, it conducted a quantitative assessment of ESV including ecosystem disservices in China’s Three Gorges Reservoir region; next, it explored the interactive relationship between ESV and multidimensional poverty-reduction index in an attempt to reveal the contribution of ecosystem services to poverty reduction in this special region. The results indicate that: (1) There is a long-term co-integration between ESV and multidimensional poverty-reduction index, and their coupling degree is on the rise; ESV plays an important role in improving social security and mitigating poverty; (2) There are high correlations between climate regulation, waste treatment, maintenance of genetic diversity, environment purification, landscape aesthetics, maintenance of soil fertility and multidimensional poverty-reduction index, making the greatest contribution to poverty reduction in the region; and (3) Contributions of different specific ecosystem services to poverty reduction are varied considerably among different categories of ESV. Finally, this paper proposed policy recommendations for the synergy between eco-environmental protection and poverty reduction based on the findings of this research.