Ecosystem Services of Water Bodies in Ensuring Sustainable Development of the Region

Introduction. A necessary condition for the sustainable development of the region is the rational use of its water bodies. This determines the relevance of the study of the extent to which the water bodies of the region meet the needs of human and economic development. The purpose of this article is the formation of tools for assessing the level of compliance of ecosystem services of surface water bodies with the objectives of sustainable development of the region. Materials and Methods. The assessment of ecosystem services potential of water bodies was carried out in the areas of their provision: supply, regulation and cultural. With help of a problem-oriented approach the selection of evaluation indicators was done; using a context-oriented approach, a characteristic of the ecosystem services of water bodies in the Rostov region was given and an assessment of the compliance of ecosystem services with the goals of sustainable development was made. Results. A system of indicators for assessing the potential of ecosystem services of water bodies has been formed; indicators of compliance of ecosystem services of water bodies of the Rostov region with the goals of sustainable development have been determined; the priority of the implementation of regulatory and supply services over cultural ones is revealed; the need to adjust the existing policy for the development of the region’s water management has been justified. Discussion and Conclusion. It is concluded that measures aimed to obtain economic benefits from water resources should not be carried out by reducing recreational and cultural potential. Sustainable regional development presupposes the necessity to balance economic, social and ecological values that water bodies carry. The practical significance of the study is in the possibility of using its results to promote sustainable development of the region.