Freshwater ecosystem services and biodiversity values of the Beijiang River, China Freshwater ecosystem services and biodiversity values of the Beijiang River, China Work Package 3 report: Highland Aquatic Resources Conservation and Sustainable Development (HighARCS) South China Agricultural University Luo Shiming, Cai Kunzheng Zhao Huihong, Cui Ke, Gan Lian, Fu Jinghua Zhuang Xueying, Tong Xiaoli Zhang Jia’en, Ye Yanqong, Li Huashou, He Hongzhi October 2011 1 Freshwater ecosystem services and biodiversity values of the Beijiang River, China Table of contents Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................... 4 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 5 1.1. About this report ............................................................................................................................. 5 1.2. Background ...................................................................................................................................... 5 2. Site maps ................................................................................................................................................ 7 3. Biodiversity within the Beijiang River ................................................................................................... 12 3.1. Chosen taxonomic groups ............................................................................................................. 12 3.2. Conservation status of biodiversity - IUCN Red List assessments ................................................. 12 3.3. Fishes ............................................................................................................................................. 16 3.3.1. Literature review .................................................................................................................... 16 3.3.2. Field survey methods ............................................................................................................. 26 3.3.3. Field survey results ................................................................................................................. 27 3.4. Molluscs ......................................................................................................................................... 32 3.4.1. Literature review .................................................................................................................... 32 3.4.2. Field survey methods ............................................................................................................. 36 3.4.3. Field survey results ................................................................................................................. 36 3.5. Decapods (shrimps and crabs)....................................................................................................... 38 3.6. Aquatic plants ............................................................................................................................... 38 3.6.1. Literature review .................................................................................................................... 38 3.6.2. Field survey methods ............................................................................................................. 42 3.6.3. Field survey results ................................................................................................................. 44 3.6.4. Indicator species ..................................................................................................................... 47 3.6.5. Threats to aquatic plants at the sites ..................................................................................... 47 3.7. Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) .......................................................................................... 48 3.7.1. Field survey methods ............................................................................................................. 48 3.7.2. Field survey results ................................................................................................................. 50 3.7.3. Indicator species ..................................................................................................................... 53 3.8. Inclusion of data in online databases ............................................................................................ 54 4. Threat surveys ...................................................................................................................................... 55 4.1. Water pollution ............................................................................................................................. 55 4.2. Sand mining ................................................................................................................................... 56 4.3. Hydropower dams ......................................................................................................................... 58 5. Ecosystem services ............................................................................................................................... 60 5.1. Types of ecosystem services provided by the Beijiang River watershed ....................................... 61 5.1.1. Provisioning services .............................................................................................................. 61 5.1.2. Regulating services ................................................................................................................. 63 5.1.3. Supporting services ................................................................................................................ 65 5.1.4. Cultural services ..................................................................................................................... 65 5.2. Ecosystem costs ............................................................................................................................. 65 5.2.1. Management cost ................................................................................................................... 65 2 Freshwater ecosystem services and biodiversity values of the Beijiang River, China 5.2.2. Opportunity cost .................................................................................................................... 65 5.2.3 Costs for other activities .......................................................................................................... 66 5.3. Ecosystem prioritisation ................................................................................................................ 66 5.3.1. Methods ................................................................................................................................. 66 5.3.2. Result and analysis ................................................................................................................. 68 5.4. Ecosystem service maps ................................................................................................................ 72 5.5. Economic valuation of ecosystem services ................................................................................... 78 5.6. Economic cost of maintaining ecosystem services in the Beijiang River ....................................... 79 5.6.1. Management costs ................................................................................................................. 80 5.6.2. Opportunity costs ................................................................................................................... 82 5.6.3. Cost for other reasons ............................................................................................................ 82 6. Policy relating to biodiversity and ecosystem services ......................................................................... 83 6.1. Development strategy of Shaoguan .............................................................................................. 83 6.2. Protected areas in Shaoguan ......................................................................................................... 83 6.2.1. Forests .................................................................................................................................... 83 6.2.2. Aquatic resource conservation zones ..................................................................................... 84 6.3. Waste water and pollution control in Shaoguan ........................................................................... 85 6.3.1. Closure of polluting industries ............................................................................................... 86 6.3.2. Waste water treatment measures .......................................................................................... 86 6.4. Environmental protection in rural areas........................................................................................ 87 6.5. Conservation of aquatic resources ................................................................................................ 87 6.5.1. Research and monitoring of aquatic resources ...................................................................... 87 6.5.2. Fish breeding and release of fry ............................................................................................