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Under the framework of payment for transboundary watershed ecosystem services (ESs), identifying midstream and downstream residents' preference and willingness to pay (WTP) for ESs provided by the upstream is crucial for sustainable watershed management. The residents' preferences and WTP are not evenly distributed within the watershed. This study uses a choice experiment assessing the spatial impact of physical distance (including residents' watershed location and distance to waterbody) and psychological distance on residents' preference and WTP for the Wei River Basin ESs. The results showed that midstream and downstream residents' preference and WTP for the ecological attributes have a significant distance-decay effect, either the physical distance to the upstream exit or physical and psychological distance to the waterbody. However, compared with the residents in the midstream, the residents downstream have a stronger preference and WTP for upstream ecological governance. Besides, the distance-decay effect differs between urban and rural residents. There is a psychological distance-decay effect in rural residents' preference for water quality and a physical distance-decay effect in their preference for water quantity, entertainment area, and cost; there is a physical distance decay effect in urban residents' preference for entertainment areas. The above differences lead to heterogeneity in WTP and total economic value (TEV) for ESs. When calculating the TEV of the transboundary watershed ES and charging the public, policymakers should consider the location of the residents, the physical and psychological distance to the water body, and the difference between urban and rural areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transboundary watershed ecological compensation in China is a kind of trust-based cooperation between the upstream and downstream. However, existing research does not further detail multidimensional trust to explore its impact on willingness to pay (WTP). From the perspective of multidimensional trust, it is helpful to clarify the internal motivations for public participation, so as to realize the transformation from current government-led economic incentive mode to normative guidance of effective social behavior. Combined with the specific background of China's ecological compensation, this study divides the downstream public trust into three dimensions: trust in self-governance capabilities, trust in upstream governance capabilities, and trust in local government. The empirical results show that the downstream trust in their own governance ability has a positive impact on their WTP, and when the downstream trust in the upstream governance capacity, the higher their WTP. Moreover, the more trust the local government, the higher the WTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study applies a choice experiment to evaluate the value of ecological water and investigate public preferences in the Shiyang River Basin, which is an ecologically fragile region in China. The four ecological attributes were ecological water quantity in the upper sub‐basin, ecological water quantity in the middle sub‐basin, ecological water quantity in the lower sub‐basin, water quality in Hongyashan Reservoir. The results show that water quality was the most preferred attribute among all the chosen attributes, and public prefer the increase of the ecological water quantity in the lower sub‐basin. In addition, it was concluded that increases of 40 million m3 and 60 million m3 of the ecological water quantity in the middle and lower sub‐basins, respectively, with the ecological water quality improved from Class IV to III, would be worth 2.82 billion RMB. The research findings are expected to support strategies for regional water resources allocation as well as help to understand public support for the policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study mainly focuses on welfare impacts from improving considerably degraded river stretches of Heihe river basin and to determine the impact of spatial heterogeneity on willingness-to-pay (WTP) for integrated river basin management (IRBM). The significant WTP values for ecological attributes improvement revealed that the respondents of Heihe river basin significantly support the integrated ecological restoration program. However, socioeconomic characteristics and residential location have a significant impact on WTP values for different ecological attributes. The results demonstrate that water quality is the most preferred variable among all the river attributes in the study area. For example, in Zhangye, Gaotai, Ejinaqi, Minle, and Sunan the respondents were willing to pay 90.6, 160.44, 377.15, 65.40, and 139.21 Yuan per year, respectively, for a one-grade improvement in current water quality. Our findings also show that all the major counties of the basin concern more about water quality representing the relative importance of river water and express the maximum WTP for its improvement, while all major counties also share a low WTP for improvements in conditions of the leisure and entertainment. The differences in socioeconomic characteristics and ecological status of the respondents partially explain the disparity in utility from IRBM. In conclusion, the results based on only specific sub-basin of river basin may over or underestimate the welfare estimate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements in the ecological attributes of inland rivers have been projected to provide considerable non-market benefits, and the monetary valuation of these attributes has steadily increased over the past several decades. The present study addresses the spatial heterogeneity of the public’s preference for ecological attributes and the distance-decay effect of willingness to pay (WTP) to improve various attributes of the river basin. The results revealed that spatial heterogeneity exists among the individuals; for example, the respondents of Liangzhou County prefer a large improvement in the natural landscape, forest coverage, and eco-tourism and are willing to pay 491.89, 369.32, and 338.37 yuan per year, respectively, for one unit improvement in these ecological attributes. Similarly, the respondents of Jinchang County value and are willing to pay 447.60, 431.81, and 318.18 yuan for one unit improvement in tourism, forest coverage, and natural landscape, respectively. Furthermore, the results from the random parameter logit model show a significant distance-decay effect of the household WTP for ecological attributes. For example, the respondents living within 5 km of the river are willing to pay more money, that is, 832.61, 365.62, and 353.05 yuan per year for improving the natural landscape, water quantity, and grass cover, respectively. As the distance from the river increases, the corresponding WTP decreases, meaning that the respondents (users) living near the Shiyang River Basin are willing to pay more for ecological attribute improvement than those living far away from the river. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses residential environment induced preference heterogeneity regarding ecosystem services improvements of a river basin by comparing urban and rural residents’ welfare estimates. In a choice experiment, the ecological improvements are described in terms of several observable ecological indicators set in an experimental design. Given the fact that economic and environmental conditions differ for urban and rural residents in China, the utility they derive from ecological restoration is hypothesized to differ. The urban and rural residents’ survey data were modeled separately using mixed logit models. The results reveal that water quality and water quantity, measured by unit of level improvement and percentage improvement, respectively, hold the highest marginal utility values in all respondents’ models. Urban and rural residents have the same preference regarding expanding soil erosion control areas and landscape improvement. However, they have statistically significant different utility for water quality, water quantity, forest coverage, ecotourism improvements, and reducing soil erosion intensity. Generally, urban residents express a higher implicit price for most of the ecological indicators. The findings imply that policy makers should take existing preference heterogeneity into account in designing ecosystem payment schemes and allocating resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Variation in willingness to pay for ecosystem services throughout the basin. • Water quality most valuable attribute for ecosystem services. • Spatial heterogeneity among people with higher WTP for agricultural production quality and lowest for oasis. • Complex pattern of heterogeneity among various groups. • Group III shows higher willingness to pay for enhanced ecosystem services. The importance of understanding people's preferences and the well-being of river systems cannot be overstated when it comes to the effective restoration and long-term management of these systems. This study aimed to determine the preferences of people in the Hei River Basin of China regarding the conservation, restoration, and development of ecological systems and their associated services. The research utilized a combination of random parameter logit models for distance decay. The study collected data using a choice experiment method and separated the study area into three distance-based groups: group I (within 25 km), group II (25 to 50 km), and group III (beyond 50 km). The findings showed that there was spatial heterogeneity among the people, with a higher willingness to pay for high-quality agricultural production and the lowest willingness to pay for oasis. The results revealed a complex pattern of spatial heterogeneity and indicated the need for increased awareness programs, environmental education, and the promotion of social responsibility towards environmental protection. It is essential to implement environmental policies, restore properties, and preserve ecological systems to achieve sustainable development and a sustainable environment. The findings highlight the importance of considering spatial heterogeneity and the need for increased environmental awareness, education, and policy implementation. This research can contribute to developing effective strategies for the preservation of river systems and ensuring sustainable development and a sustainable environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Payments for watershed ecosystem services are the most important forms of global water environmental protection. Transboundary basin ecological compensation policies in China are mainly based on the central government's appropriation to local governments or transfer payments between local governments. However, watershed ecosystem services face many problems such as the lack of interprovincial horizontal compensation policies and insufficient public participation. Most of China's rivers are distributed in vast rural areas, and the livelihoods of farmers living in these areas are highly dependent on the water environment. Since a watershed usually spans multiple administrative regions, the inconsistency between the natural and administrative boundaries of the river affects the completeness of the ecosystem services' information exchange between the service providers and payers. To promote interprovincial government water management cooperation and spark the farmers' enthusiasm for participating in the payments for watershed ecosystem services, this study examines the mechanism by which social interactions can affect farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) by mitigating the information bias. The results show that information bias plays a mediating role in the effect of social interactions on WTP. Additionally, the cadres/associations' and village-level interactions can effectively reduce the information bias of farmers, thereby increasing their WTP for transboundary basin ecosystem services. Moreover, the intensity of the psychological ownership of the watershed and government credibility have a significant moderating effect on the above-mentioned mechanisms. This study suggests that it is necessary to broaden the source channels of farmers' information on upstream ecological governance, improve the completeness of farmers' information, and curb the negative impact of information bias on WTP. Simultaneously, it is necessary to improve the government credibility and cultivate the farmers' sense of belonging and responsibility toward the watershed. • Willingness to pay for transboundary basin ecosystem services. • Information bias affects the willingness to pay for transboundary basin ecosystem services. • Social interactions reduce information bias. • Government credibility and psychological ownership moderated the effect of information bias on willingness to pay. • Using moderated mediation model estimated the indirect effect and moderating effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Valuation of environmental goods and services offers valuable information for environmental management, where there exists heterogeneity in household's taste and preferences. The current study evaluated the willingness to pay for ecosystem services with regard to assess benefit transfer among sub-basins of Wei River. In order to achieve an improved environmental status in Wei River basin, a choice experiment survey was conducted with the perception regarding valuation of ecosystem services in the upper, middle and lower basin. A total of 900 households sampled respondents were interviewed in the entire river basin. Seven ecological attributes were selected in an arrangement with improvements in ecological conditions in choice a set. Welfare estimates were measured through conditional logit (CL) and random parameter logit (RPL) models. Outcomes of our study validated the diversity in the public preferences regarding valuation of selected ecological attributes in all three basins. Like, water quality level was relatively highly valued (i.e. 109.3 Yuan) by those who live in lower basin followed by inhabitants of middle basin (81.57 Yuan). With the addition of heterogeneity in tastes and preferences, relatively lower transfer errors were estimated in RPL model as compared to CL model. While transferring benefits from lower to upper basin, the estimated transfer errors were 35.37% and 7.06% of transfer errors were estimated from upper to middle basin and 19.30% were estimated from middle to lower basin in RPL model. While for the same conditions, the estimated transfer errors in CL model were 44.49%, 9.49% and 29.37% respectively. In the light of current outcomes, there are sufficient evidences to claim for transferability of benefits between upper, middle and lower basins. The conclusive empirical outcomes of the current study thus help in proper management of ecosystem services and allow for benefit transfer from one basin to the other basins of Wei River. Image 1 • Heterogeneity exists in the willingness to pay for ecosystem services across basins. • With the inclusion of taste heterogeneity Random parameter logit model resulted in lower transfer errors. • Random parameter logit model's mean transfer errors ranges from 7.06% to 35.37%. • Conditional logit estimates predicted for relatively higher transfer errors. • Mean transfer error ranges from 9.49% to 44.49% in Conditional logit model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]