Responsibility definition and standard calculation of forest horizontal ecological compensation: a case study of Chongqing, China

IntroductionThe work of forest horizontal ecological compensation has progressed from policy guidance to practical exploration. Scientifically defining the responsible entities and measuring the compensation standard is an important component of improving the forest horizontal ecological compensatio...

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Main Authors: Honghong Yu, Suwan Li, Jiameng Yang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1580737/full
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author Honghong Yu
Honghong Yu
Suwan Li
Jiameng Yang
author_facet Honghong Yu
Honghong Yu
Suwan Li
Jiameng Yang
author_sort Honghong Yu
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionThe work of forest horizontal ecological compensation has progressed from policy guidance to practical exploration. Scientifically defining the responsible entities and measuring the compensation standard is an important component of improving the forest horizontal ecological compensation mechanism.MethodsThis study selects Chongqing as a case study. From the perspective of the carbon budget, the carbon emissions, forest carbon sequestration, and non-forest carbon sequestration of 38 districts and counties in Chongqing were measured. Additionally, by incorporating carbon market transaction prices, economic development levels, and resource endowment conditions of different regions, the forest horizontal ecological compensation standards for each district and county were calculated.ResultsFrom 2012 to 2021, the payer and receiver entities for forest horizontal ecological compensation in Chongqing generally remained stable, overall presenting a spatial pattern of “southwest compensating the east.” The total compensation amount that forest ecological protection areas in Chongqing should receive showed a steady increase from 2012 to 2021. The total compensation amount that ecological payment areas should pay showed a fluctuating upward trend. The spatial distribution of forest horizontal ecological compensation priorities in Chongqing changed significantly.DiscussionThe issue of carbon supply and demand mismatch exists in various districts and counties in Chongqing, therefore it is essential to further clarify the forest compensation responsibility based on the carbon budget of each district and county. Taking into account the ecological characteristics of forests, carbon supply and demand, economic development level, as well as other factors, differential regional compensation standards should be established to achieve a synergistic symbiosis between regional forest ecology and economic development.
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spelling doaj-art-256542da3e4046128db97c38a6100a272025-08-20T04:01:00ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2025-08-01910.3389/fsufs.2025.15807371580737Responsibility definition and standard calculation of forest horizontal ecological compensation: a case study of Chongqing, ChinaHonghong Yu0Honghong Yu1Suwan Li2Jiameng Yang3School of Economics and Management, Changzhou Institute of Technology, Changzhou, ChinaCollege of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, ChinaCollege of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, ChinaCollege of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, ChinaIntroductionThe work of forest horizontal ecological compensation has progressed from policy guidance to practical exploration. Scientifically defining the responsible entities and measuring the compensation standard is an important component of improving the forest horizontal ecological compensation mechanism.MethodsThis study selects Chongqing as a case study. From the perspective of the carbon budget, the carbon emissions, forest carbon sequestration, and non-forest carbon sequestration of 38 districts and counties in Chongqing were measured. Additionally, by incorporating carbon market transaction prices, economic development levels, and resource endowment conditions of different regions, the forest horizontal ecological compensation standards for each district and county were calculated.ResultsFrom 2012 to 2021, the payer and receiver entities for forest horizontal ecological compensation in Chongqing generally remained stable, overall presenting a spatial pattern of “southwest compensating the east.” The total compensation amount that forest ecological protection areas in Chongqing should receive showed a steady increase from 2012 to 2021. The total compensation amount that ecological payment areas should pay showed a fluctuating upward trend. The spatial distribution of forest horizontal ecological compensation priorities in Chongqing changed significantly.DiscussionThe issue of carbon supply and demand mismatch exists in various districts and counties in Chongqing, therefore it is essential to further clarify the forest compensation responsibility based on the carbon budget of each district and county. Taking into account the ecological characteristics of forests, carbon supply and demand, economic development level, as well as other factors, differential regional compensation standards should be established to achieve a synergistic symbiosis between regional forest ecology and economic development.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1580737/fullforest horizontal ecological compensationcarbon budgetcompensation zoningcompensation standardsChongqing
spellingShingle Honghong Yu
Honghong Yu
Suwan Li
Jiameng Yang
Responsibility definition and standard calculation of forest horizontal ecological compensation: a case study of Chongqing, China
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
forest horizontal ecological compensation
carbon budget
compensation zoning
compensation standards
Chongqing
title Responsibility definition and standard calculation of forest horizontal ecological compensation: a case study of Chongqing, China
title_full Responsibility definition and standard calculation of forest horizontal ecological compensation: a case study of Chongqing, China
title_fullStr Responsibility definition and standard calculation of forest horizontal ecological compensation: a case study of Chongqing, China
title_full_unstemmed Responsibility definition and standard calculation of forest horizontal ecological compensation: a case study of Chongqing, China
title_short Responsibility definition and standard calculation of forest horizontal ecological compensation: a case study of Chongqing, China
title_sort responsibility definition and standard calculation of forest horizontal ecological compensation a case study of chongqing china
topic forest horizontal ecological compensation
carbon budget
compensation zoning
compensation standards
Chongqing
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2025.1580737/full
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