Ecosystem Services Valuation of Rig-Ishaqabad Rangeland in Iran: The Provisioning and Regulating Services of Rangeland Vegetation Types

One way to better appreciate the value of rangelands with the purpose of developing better policies and make sustainable use of these resources is to determine the monetary valuation of the ecosystem services of these rangelands. Thus, the present study aimed to estimate the economic values of provisioning and regulating services of Rig Ishaqabad Rangeland in Kerman Province, Iran. To this end, samples of the soil and vegetation cover of the region were taken. Following conduction of various experiments, the type and texture of the soil and its content of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium nutrients, the soil erosion coefficient, and the amount of carbon absorption for each vegetation type were determined. Then, the monetary values of forage production, carbon absorption, oxygen production, soil production, nutrient absorption, and erosion prevention were estimated using the Revealed Preference Approach. According to the findings, in 2019, the total economic value of the rangeland's services was USD 0.54 million; and the values of provisioning and regulating services were USD 260,102.85 and 283,841.77, respectively. In addition, the economic value of vegetation types of Artemisia sieberi-Denderostellera lessertii (Ar si-De Le), Denderostellera lessertii- Peganum harmala (De le-Pe ha), Cousinia congesta (Co co), Calligonum polygonoides- Astragalus sp (Capo- As sp), Artemisia Sieberi-Peganum harmala (Ar si-Pe ha) were USD 115,466.42, 159,045.6, 54,815.14, 85,220.66, and 129,396.78, respectively. Based on the results, the De le-Pe ha vegetation type was of the highest value with a value of 49.07 US dollars per hectare. The calculated monetary values can be a useful tool in determining the long-term rental rate of this rangeland and determine the amount of investment to preserve or restore it.