Effects of soil and water conservation project on ecosystem service values of small watersheds in Suining City, Sichuan Province of southwestern China.

Three small watersheds with severe soil erosion and water loss in Suining City, Sichuan of southwestern China were taken as research objects. Referencing Constantans calculation method and table ecosystem service value per unit area of Chinese terrestrial ecosystem, combining with the local average grain yield and grain purchasing price, this paper analyzes the effects of soil and water conservation project on ecosystem service values of small watersheds in purple soil region. The results indicated that the areas of forest land and pasture land increased, cultivated land and unused land declined from 1999 to 2003. The single ecosystem service values of three watersheds increased in atmosphere regulation, water conservation, and soil formation and conservation function, while food production decreased by 8.90×104 to 62.30×104 RMB. The total ecosystem service values and per capita ecosystem service values increased in varying degrees. The eco-economic harmony degree was between 0.056 5 and 0.841 3, showing that the growth rate of ecosystem service value was lower than that of economic in each watershed. More attention should be paid to ecological construction in soil and water conservation project region.