Economic Valuation of Atmospheric Gas Regulation Services through Spatial Modeling ‎in Kerman Province, Iran

Aims: The absorption of atmospheric Carbon dioxide for Carbon sequestration plays a vital role in regulating the climate. This study aimed to economically evaluate Carbon absorption and Oxygen supply  in Kerman Province using ecosystem service modeling. Materials & Methods: Terrestrial Carbon storage was assessed using InVEST software, considering aboveground biomass, belowground biomass, soil, and litter/ dead organic matter. Oxygen supply in the ecosystem was also calculated based on Carbon relationships. The economic valuation of Carbon and Oxygen supply was determined using the social cost of Carbon dioxide and replacement cost, respectively. Findings: In ۲۰۲۱, Kerman Province was estimated to sequester ۶,۸۹۶,۱۸۲.۸۹ t.y-۱ of Carbon and produce ۱۸,۴۸۱,۷۷۰.۳۶ t.y-۱ of Oxygen. The economic value of Carbon sequestration and Oxygen supply in the Province was calculated at ۳۵۴,۳۲۵,۸۷۷ and ۱,۶۸۶,۴۶۱,۵۴۵ .y-۱, totaling ۲,۰۴۰,۷۸۷,۴۲۲ in ۲۰۲۱. Conclusion: The economic valuation of Carbon sequestration and the Oxygen supply spatially demonstrate the multiple roles of vegetation cover in the economy, which help maintain and restore it. Economic valuation maps of studied ecosystem services have comprehensive  land management and planning applications. Furthermore, they underscore the importance of incentives for long-term Carbon storage to encourage sustainable practices.

کلیدواژه ها:

Carbon dioxide ، Climate regulation ، Gas regulation function ، Replacement cost ، Social cost