A systematic review of the progress of research on comprehensive benefit assessment of national-level ecological protection projects in China

Abstract

Ecological conservation is pivotal for protecting and restoring critical ecosystems, maintaining regional ecological security, and promoting sustainable development. Within the broader context of global ecological governance, it serves as a core strategy for preserving the integrity and health of vital ecosystems. Additionally, ecological conservation significantly influences regional ecological security and sustainable development. In response to the severe challenge of ongoing global environmental degradation, governments worldwide have initiated and implemented numerous major Ecological Protection Projects (EPPs). These projects aim to reverse ecological degradation and re-establish the natural ecological balance. In this context, there is a growing international demand for the comprehensive and timely monitoring and evaluation of the benefits derived from these ecological protection initiatives. Furthermore, analyzing the bottlenecks and challenges encountered during project implementation has become a critical area where scientific research must advance to meet the needs of the global community. Upon reviewing and comparing peer-reviewed articles on comprehensive benefit assessment, it becomes evident that existing research lacks a holistic perspective on the comprehensive benefit assessment of ecological protection. Furthermore, there is an absence of systematic studies examining the interaction between comprehensive benefits and individual benefits. This study adopts a holistic perspective by examining both the universal and specific issues associated with the comprehensive benefit assessment of EPPs. By focusing on China's national-level EPPs as case studies, the study systematically explores several key areas: (1) the connotation and definition of comprehensive benefit assessment; (2) the construction of a comprehensive benefit assessment index system; (3) the selection of appropriate methodologies for comprehensive benefit assessment; and (4) the specific effects of benefit assessments on EPPs. Additionally, the study innovatively examines the interactions among ecological, economic, social, and comprehensive benefits. It delves into two critical questions: (1) What are the intrinsic mechanisms linking individual benefits to comprehensive benefits? (2) What are the key factors influencing the balance of benefits in EPPs? Ultimately, this research aims to guide efforts in promoting ecological civilization and achieving the strategic goal of sustainable development.