Assessment of Key Ecosystem Services Provided by the Haizhu National Wetland Park in Guangzhou, China

The study estimate that the marginal value provided to Guangzhou by the Haizhu Wetland via five ecosystem services is at least $221.8 million USD over the next 30 years, in addition to reduced mortality risk and increased workplace productivity in the surrounding landscape. Including additional ecosystem services that were beyond the scope of the analysis, such as water purification and flood mitigation, would likely add to this reported value as the ecosystem services displayed here are by no means a comprehensive accounting of the value of the Haizhu wetland.

This report also demonstrates a globally generalizable approach to urban ecosystem service valuation. The developed approach will make easier and more efficient to understand the services provided by urban nature and to use that understanding to inform urban planning decisions across China and throughout the world.