Evaluation on the Economic Value of Plant Diversity in Tongbiguan Nature Reserve, Yunnan

Market Valuation Method, Opportunity Cost Method and Substitute Expense Method were applied to calculate the value of plant diversity in Tongbiguan Nature Reserve, including the direct use value and indirect use value produced by the plant diversity in this nature reserve, in this paper. It was showed by the results that the direct use value was RMB 52.236 mil. yuan and the indirect use value was RMB 132.285 mil. yuan respectively. The results indicated that the comprehensive value of ecological functions of plant diversity in this nature reserve was much greater than its direct material value. It was estimated that the forest ecosystem in this nature reserve might absorb 1.91 mil. tons of CO₂ and release 1.394 mil. tons of O₂ every year. Also, it could reduce the soil erosion by 4.93 mil. ton, conserve 128.23 mil. tons of water resource, and absorb 5 952.12 tons of SO₂ each year.