Forest Research: Open Access
Open Access

Forest Valuation and Conservation Strategies from Forest Dwellers and Ecosystem Services

Jiabao Li^{* *}Correspondence: Jiabao Li, Department of Forestry, Peking University, Beijing, China, Email:

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Description

The use and non-use values of environmental goods and services are frequently explored. From the perspective of forest dwellers, this study demonstrates the suitability of using the Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) in forestry analysis. This kind of valuation exercise is still relevant in the management and conservation of natural resources because non-use values transcend market mechanisms whereas use values are established by the market. The study's conclusions unequivocally demonstrate how keen forest inhabitants are to protect natural resources in order to reap their benefits in a sustainable way. Development strategies should be focused on lowering the precariousness of forest dwellers' lives, which emerges mostly due to their poor economic conditions and lack of appropriate livelihoods, according to an analysis of the important elements determining the valuation outcome. Even though woods provide amenities to people, people who live near forests understand how important forests are to maintaining and controlling the natural balance of the ecosystem. Therefore, the study suggests that modifications should be implemented in the government's incentive-sharing mechanism within the framework of the current participatory forest management system in order to ensure that the local communities receive sufficient economic benefits for their subsistence. This will ultimately lessen the reliance on the forests and maintain ecological integrity.

Diversification lowers environmental stress and increases ecological output. Every species in the ecosystem is distinct and has a certain function to perform. The organisms create and break down organic materials that sustain human existence in addition to capturing and storing energy. Under intact natural environments, biodiversity is said to be at its peak. Due to its high biodiversity, forests today function as ecosystems that are vital to maintaining ecological equilibrium. Due of their distinctiveness, unpredictability, and irreversibility during manufacturing, all environmental goods have a specific form of value. Based on the advantages gained for both the current and future generations, the total economic worth of an environmental asset is generally divided into use value and nonuse value categories. While forests do provide humans enjoy a wealth of material and immaterial rewards, they appear to view sustainability and their own existence differently.

India's jungles are home to more than just wild animals. However, the lives of native forest dwellers are inextricably linked to forests. The existence of a forest enhances the various ecosystem services in addition to its direct usage values. For example, woods regulate floods and water quality, both of which are critical to human survival but do not harm the forests themselves.

Conclusion

More carbon is stored and contained by forests than by any other terrestrial ecosystem on the planet. By reducing the rate at which carbon dioxide is absorbed into the atmosphere, forests mitigate the effects of human activity on the climate. The international carbon market (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD+) strategy) depends heavily on the regeneration and conservation of forests in order to lower carbon emissions and battle global climate change. Forest custodians contribute to the creation of financial value by selling the forests' ability to absorb carbon in the carbon credit market. But when it comes to the non-use value of ecosystem services, valuing the marginal changes in ecosystem services is a difficult challenge that must be overcome in order to effectively conserve natural resources. The detrimental effects of ongoing illegal cutting on biodiversity, soil quality, hydrological cycles, microclimates, etc. they are frequently to blame for the dull events of the past few years. Since natural resource extraction is a labor-intensive and time-consuming operation, it is not expected that its compensation will come from afforestation programs alone. The study then identifies the main variables influencing the WTP of households near forests in order to improve conservation going forward.