Spatial conservation areas for water yield hydrological ecosystem services with their economic values effects under climate change: a case study of Teshio watershed located in northernmost of Japan

Abstract

Abstract Water resources prioritization conservation planners are increasingly becoming aware of the economic value of water supply ecosystem services (ESs) under climate changes. Here we assessed how the water yield ES framework is implemented in the current spatial prioritization conservation of the water resources under climate change across the Teshio River watershed. We applied the systematic conservation model to optimize the area for water resources which satisfied the protection targets with and without considering economic values of the water yield provision service. The model indicated that the areas of spatial optimal ES protection for water yield with considering economic values were totally different from those without considering economic values of water resources. The optimal priority conservation areas were concentrated in southwestern, southeastern, and some northern areas of this watershed. These places could guarantee water resources sustainability from both environmental protection and socio-economic development standpoints. Moreover, the spatial priority conservation areas for water yield with economic value from hydro-power electricity production were traded off against the areas for water yield with economic values from resident water-use and irrigation for rice. Therefore, the systematic conservation planning of water yield with economic values under climate changes may provide a useful argument to promote the conservation of water resources.