Are Urban Stream Restoration Plans Worth Implementing?
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- 作者：Auri Sarvilinna ; Virpi Lehtoranta ; Turo Hjerppe
- 关键词：Small water ; Stream restoration ; Nonmarket value ; Contingent valuation ; Policy plan
- 刊名：Environmental Management
- 出版年：2017
- 出版时间：January 2017
- 年：2017
- 卷：59
- 期：1
- 页码：10-20
- 全文大小：
- 刊物类别：Earth and Environmental Science
- 刊物主题：Environmental Management; Ecology; Nature Conservation; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Forestry Management; Waste Water Technology / Water Pollution Control / Water Manageme
- 出版者：Springer US
- ISSN：1432-1009
- 卷排序：59
文摘
To manage and conserve ecosystems in a more sustainable way, it is important to identify the importance of the ecosystem services they provide and understand the connection between natural and socio-economic systems. Historically, streams have been an underrated part of the urban environment. Many of them have been straightened and often channelized under pressure of urbanization. However, little knowledge exists concerning the economic value of stream restoration or the value of the improved ecosystem services. We used the contingent valuation method to assess the social acceptability of a policy-level water management plan in the city of Helsinki, Finland, and the values placed on improvements in a set of ecosystem services, accounting for preference uncertainty. According to our study, the action plan would provide high returns on restoration investments, since the benefit–cost ratio was 15–37. Moreover, seventy-two percent of the respondents willing to pay for stream restoration chose “I want to conserve streams as a part of urban nature for future generations” as the most motivating reason. Our study indicates that the water management plan for urban streams in Helsinki has strong public support. If better marketed to the population within the watershed, the future projects could be partly funded by the local residents, making the projects easier to accomplish. The results of this study can be used in planning, management and decision making related to small urban watercourses.