Comparison of changes of typical river segment ecosystem service value in LRGR

Land use changes of river segment ecosystems from the Lancang River and Yuanjiang River were studied from 1985 to 2000 in order to compare their changes of service values and analyze the driving mechanisms based on eco-economic and GIS methods. Results showed that forest areas in both the river segment ecosystems were reduced. The reduced forest in the Lancang River (LR) segment ecosystem was mostly transformed into glebe with the conversion rate of 56.0%, while the reduced forest in the Yuanjiang River (YR) segment ecosystem was mostly transformed into residence land with the conversion rate of 42.5%. Both change amount and change rate of areas of each land use type in the LR segment ecosystem were much larger than those in the YR segment ecosystem. The total service value of the LR segment ecosystem was decreased with the change rate of 15.3%, while that of YR segment ecosystem was increased with the change rate of 0.6%. Manwan Hydropower development was the major anthropogenic driving factor which led to the change of service value of the LR segment ecosystem with the contribution rate of 93%. Agricultural activities were the most important driving factors in the YR segment ecosystem with the contribution rate of 59%. The loss of value of Sediment transportation service resulting from Manwan Hydropower Project construction should take responsibility for the significant decrease of service value of waters, even for the whole LR segment ecosystem. The ecosystem service coefficients of forest and grassland in the study area were much higher than the average level in China, so were the ratios of indirect value to direct value of both the river segment ecosystems. Under the impacts of human activities, the capacity of river ecosystem for providing products was enhanced, while it was weakened to maintain natural ecosystem health.