Estimation of Carbon Stock and Economic Value of Sanjiangyuan National Park, China

Meaning

Carbon stock refers to the total amount of carbon stored in an ecosystem’s biomass (trees, shrubs, grasslands), soils, and wetlands. In the context of Sanjiangyuan National Park, which is known as the “water tower of Asia” and source region of the Yangtze, Yellow, and Mekong Rivers, estimating carbon stock means quantifying how much carbon is retained in its alpine grasslands, wetlands, and soils. Economic valuation then translates this carbon storage into monetary terms, either by using carbon market prices or the social cost of carbon, showing the park’s ecological and financial significance.

Introduction

Sanjiangyuan National Park (SNP), located in Qinghai Province on the Tibetan Plateau, covers over 120,000 km² and plays a crucial role in climate regulation, water conservation, and biodiversity protection. Its unique alpine ecosystems act as a massive carbon sink, with soils and grasslands holding significant amounts of carbon. Estimating carbon stock and its economic value provides scientific evidence for conservation policy, carbon-trading opportunities, and ecological compensation schemes. This process highlights how natural ecosystems contribute not only to ecological health but also to the broader economy and climate mitigation goals.

Details of the Topic

1. Carbon Pools in Sanjiangyuan:

   • Aboveground biomass (AGB): shrubs, alpine meadow vegetation.

   • Belowground biomass (BGB): roots and underground plant material.

   • Soil Organic Carbon (SOC): largest pool, especially within alpine meadows and wetlands.

2. Estimation Methods:

   • Remote Sensing & GIS: Land cover classification and area mapping.

   • Field Sampling: Biomass harvesting, allometric equations, and soil core sampling (0–100 cm).

   • Carbon Density Approach: Assigning carbon densities (t C/ha) to land cover types and scaling up to park level.

   • Conversion to CO₂ Equivalent: Using molecular weight ratio (44/12).

3. Economic Valuation:

   • Market-Based Valuation: Using carbon credit prices from compliance markets (e.g., China ETS) or voluntary markets.

   • Social Cost of Carbon (SCC): Reflecting global climate damage avoided by storing carbon.

   • Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES): Potential government or community-based compensation schemes.

Advantages

• Climate Mitigation: Demonstrates the park’s role as a major carbon sink, aiding China’s carbon neutrality goals.

• Policy Support: Provides evidence for ecological compensation, carbon trading, and conservation funding.

• Global Significance: Highlights international importance of the Tibetan Plateau in global carbon cycling.

• Economic Opportunities: Enables use of carbon credits and green financing mechanisms.

Disadvantages

• Uncertainty in Estimation: Differences in soil depth, land-cover mapping, and sampling methods affect accuracy.

• Dynamic Ecosystems: Climate change and overgrazing may alter carbon storage potential.

• Market Volatility: Carbon prices vary widely, making economic valuations unstable.

• Limited Local Benefit: Communities may not immediately benefit unless proper carbon payment systems are implemented.

In-depth Discussion

Sanjiangyuan is a carbon-rich ecosystem dominated by alpine meadows and wetlands. Studies suggest the region stores billions of tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, with soil carbon forming the majority. The park’s ecological role goes beyond carbon—it safeguards Asia’s water supply, sustains biodiversity, and supports local pastoralist communities. However, degradation from overgrazing, permafrost thawing, and climate warming threatens carbon stability, potentially turning the park from a sink into a source of carbon emissions.

Economic valuation provides two contrasting views: (a) market-based prices, which often undervalue ecological services, and (b) SCC-based valuation, which shows the true global economic worth of stored carbon. While compliance markets may value the park’s carbon stock in the range of USD 100 billion, SCC valuations can reach over USD 1 trillion, underscoring the ecological–economic importance of conservation.

Summary

Sanjiangyuan National Park, as the source of Asia’s great rivers, is not only a water tower but also a massive carbon reservoir. Estimation of its carbon stock involves measuring biomass and soil carbon, converting it into CO₂ equivalents, and valuing it using market or social cost approaches. While this highlights its ecological and economic importance, challenges of estimation accuracy, climate change, and market volatility remain.

Conclusion

Estimating the carbon stock and economic value of Sanjiangyuan National Park underscores its dual role in climate regulation and ecological economics. The park stores billions of tonnes of carbon, translating into hundreds of billions of dollars in economic terms. Recognizing this value supports stronger conservation policies, promotes ecological compensation for local communities, and aligns with China’s carbon neutrality targets. Ultimately, protecting Sanjiangyuan safeguards both Asia’s ecological security and the world’s climate stability.