Green gold funnel: A framework of screening indicators for assessing the ecological value of nationally owned natural resources and its application.

Abstract

Improving the theoretical framework of natural resource evaluation is beneficial to regional natural resource management and holds great significance for the development of new quality productivity. Based on Coase's theorem, externality theory, ecosystem service theory and assessment requirements, we constructed a conceptual framework, green gold funnel, to screen indicators for the ecological value assessment of nationally owned natural resources. Taking Meiling National Forest Park in Jiangxi Province as an example, we explored the application of this framework in the ecological value assessment scenarios of nationally owned natural forest resources. The results showed that in 2022, the indicators for the ecological value of nationally owned natural resources included timber product supply, water conservation, carbon sequestration, wellness and recreation, and the additive value of landscape. The ecological value of nationally owned natural resources in the experimental area in 2022 was 503.235 million yuan, with wellness and recreation taking the dominant contributors, indicating that the green gold funnel could efficiently select the indicators for assessing the ecological value of nationally owned natural resources. We proposed a green gold funnel conceptual framework for the screening of indicators for ecological value assessment of nationally owned natural resources, and verified its effectiveness with examples, which would provide a scientific basis for the ecological value assessment of nationally owned natural resources.