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Journal of Resources and Ecology >

2024 , Vol. 15 >Issue 6: 1406 - 1415

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2024.06.002

Resource Utilization and Green Development

The Mechanism of Realizing the Value of Ecological Products and Case Studies

  • ZHANG Enxiang , 1 ,
  • LEI Shuo 1 ,
  • ZHENG Yuping 1, 2 ,
  • LIU Lixiang 1 ,
  • HAN Yongwei , 1, *
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  • 1. Institute of Ecology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
  • 2. College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730199, China
* HAN Yongwei, E-mail:

ZHANG Enxiang, E-mail:

Received date: 2023-08-01

  Accepted date: 2024-01-20

  Online published: 2024-12-09

Supported by

The National Natural Science Foundation of China(41907392)

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Abstract

The article uses a case study approach to investigate the mechanisms of ecological product value realization, and influencing factors. Specifically, we use a case analysis framework based on the “economy-society- natural ecology” perspective to analyze and compare the three batches of “Typical Cases of Ecological Product Value Realization” released by the Ministry of Natural Resources. We find: First, different modes of ecological product value realization exist. Different resource endowments, and institutional and environmental factors affect the selection of the value realization modes. Second, certain obstacles also exist for realizing ecological product value, which are mainly reflected in the fact that the articulation of the individual, society, and government is not yet sufficiently close. Third, to promote the development of regional eco-products’ mode and value conversion, the implementing party needs to guide the synergy between individual concepts, social participation, and governmental top-level design; rationally arrange the allocation of resource elements; mitigate elemental constraints; and propose effective technical means and optimization strategies according to the actual situation.

Key words： eco-products; realization mechanisms; value transformation; model selection; case studies

Cite this article

ZHANG Enxiang , LEI Shuo , ZHENG Yuping , LIU Lixiang , HAN Yongwei . The Mechanism of Realizing the Value of Ecological Products and Case Studies[J]. Journal of Resources and Ecology, 2024 , 15(6) : 1406 -1415 . DOI: 10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2024.06.002

1 Introduction

To promote the harmonious coexistence of human beings and nature, the Chinese government has actively promoted the construction of an ecological civilization (Zhang et al., 2019). The “Green Mountains and Green Water are Golden Mountains and Silver Mountains” (hereinafter, the “Two Mountains”) slogan outlined by the government emphasizes the importance of the harmonious coexistence of economic and social development, and the natural environment, as well as the protection of natural resources (Zhang et al., 2021). The “Two Mountains” theory proposes a brand new model of development which aims to improve the ecological environment and quality of human life through efficient natural resource use, thus realizing economic, social, and ecological benefits. The “Opinions on Establishing and Improving the Mechanism for Realizing the Value of Ecologi-cal Products” (hereafter, the “Opinions”) encourage provinces and regions to actively explore and try to accelerate the construction of mechanisms for realizing the value of ecological products. These are led by the government, involve enterprises and individuals from all walks of life in the community, are market based, and developed sustainably with institutional reform and innovation at the center. Promoting the realization of the value of ecological products can effectively reconcile the contradiction between environmental protection and development. Crucially, it may become a necessary way to realize the harmonious coexistence of man and nature (Costanza et al., 1997). Therefore, understanding the ecological product value realization model and its practical application is important (Gao et al., 2020).
Research on ecological product value realization mainly focuses on the following four aspects: analyzing the concept and connotation of ecological products; proposing the method of accounting for the value of ecological products; exploring the paths and modes of realizing this value; and constructing indicators for evaluating the value (Zhang, 2023). Essentially, to realize the sustainable transformation of eco-products, we need to clarify their connotation and concept, establish a set of scientific value realization mechanism, and enrich and improve their value transformation paths to realize their value (Luo et al., 2022). Here, we use the case study method to analyze the problems and reasons in the process of realizing the value of eco-products considering the actual situation. Further, we propose solutions to these problems, focusing on how the value of China’s eco-products can be fully realized, and propose some feasible technical means and strategic suggestions, which we hope inspire scholars and practitioners in related fields.

2 Methodology and data sources

2.1 Research design

We assume that the mechanism of ecological product value realization is a complex systematic management system, which contains various elements interacting with each other to form a whole (Fig. 1). Our research framework can be divided into the following parts (Liu et al., 2022): 1) Research purpose: To reveal the essential features of the ecological product value realization mechanism through the multi-case analysis method, and evaluate it from different perspectives. 2) Research method: Adopting the multi-case analysis method, the three methods of case description, case comparison, and case summary are used to study the mechanisms from different levels. 3) Research content: The mechanism of realizing the value of ecological products is researched from different perspectives, including the definition of these mechanisms, constituent elements, core functions, important principles, management of the EOD project, and successful experiences (Zhao et al., 2022). 4) Conclusion: We find that the mechanism of realizing the value of ecological products is a complex comprehensive management system, which includes various elements such as policies and regulations, financial support, technical support, human resources, supervision and guarantee, and public service facilities. The core elements of the mechanism are policies and regulations, financial support, and technological support. The key links for realizing its value lie in the development of ecological resources management, supply of ecosystem services, development of ecological industries, and financing of ecological investment. Its successful experience mainly lies in the strong support of policies and regulations, strong financial input, and effective regulatory measures (Wang et al., 2022).
Fig. 1 Framework of mechanisms for realizing the value of ecological products

2.2 Research methodology

This study adopts the multi-case analysis method. Our research focus is on the mechanism of ecological product value realization as the research object. By comparing and contrasting multiple cases, we seek to discern the common points and differences, and use this as the basis to explore the essential characteristics of the mechanisms. The specific steps are as follows: 1) Determine the research objectives; 2) Collect case information; 3) Screen cases; 4) Compare and contrast cases; and 5) Summarize the knowledge.

2.3 Establishment of an evaluation system

We construct the evaluation system of the mechanism of ecological product value realization following the principles of comprehensiveness, scientificity, hierarchy, and data availability. Considering the requirements of efficient and sustainable development embedded in ecological product value realization, six influencing factors are selected from the three aspects of economy, society, and natural ecology. They are outlined below in Table 1 (Kang et al., 2022).
Table 1 Factors influencing the ecological product value realization mechanism
Type of indicator Influencing factor
Economics Coordination of funds
Society Realization concept, policy measures, leading factor, and technical support
Natural ecology Natural background

2.4 Data sources

This study refers to the three batches of 32 Typical Cases of Realizing the Value of Ecological Products launched by the Ministry of Natural Resources from April 2020 to December 2021 (Table 2). We analyze the common points and differences of the cases with respect to their different practices, such as modes, paths, and realizing mechanisms (Xie et al., 2023). The first batch of cases emphasizes the main practices and key aspects of realizing the value of ecological products. The second batch advocates accelerating the establishment of a government-led, enterprise- and community-based, market-oriented, and sustainable ecological product value realization mechanism. The third batch includes four types of ecological product value realization modes, namely, ecological resource indicators and property rights trading, ecological governance and value enhancement, ecological industrialized management, and ecological compensation (Zhu and Li, 2022).
Table 2 Typical cases of ecological product value realization
First batch Case Key practices
1 Ecological restoration and comprehensive development of Wuyuan Bay Area, Xiamen, Fujian Province Ecological restoration and value enhancement
2 “Forest Ecology Bank” in Nanping, Fujian Province Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading
3 Chongqing Municipality expands ecological functions of ground tickets to promote the realization of the value of ecological products Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading
4 Chongqing forest cover indicator transaction Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading
5 Lianglang Town, Yuyao City, Zhejiang Province, the whole area of comprehensive land remediation to promote the realization of the value of ecological products Eco-industrialization
6 Ecological restoration and value realization of coal mining subsidence area in Pan’an Lake, Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China Ecological restoration and value enhancement
7 Ecological restoration and value realization of Huaxiacheng Mine in Weihai City, Shandong Province, China Ecological restoration and value enhancement
8 Comprehensive management of mountains, waters, forests, fields, lakes and grasses in Xunwu County, Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province Eco-industrialization
9 Comprehensive management of mountain water, forest, field, lake, and grass in Fuxian Lake, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, China Eco-industrialization
10 Ecological value accounting and ecological compensation in Ezhou City, Hubei Province Ecological compensation
11 Wetland mitigation banking in the United States Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading
Second batch Case Key practices
1 Jinting Township, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, to develop “ecological agriculture, culture and tourism” to promote the realization of the value of ecological products Eco-industrialization
2 Nanping City, Fujian Province, Guangze County, “Water Beauty Economy” Eco-industrialization
3 Ecological industry development in Xichuan County, Henan Province boosts the realization of the value of ecological products Eco-industrialization
4 Ecological management and comprehensive development of Dengzhi River in Changde City, Hunan Province Ecological management and value enhancement
5 Jiangyin City, Jiangsu Province, “three in, three out” protection of the Yangtze River to promote the realization of the value of ecological products Ecological management and value enhancement
6 Ecological restoration and value realization of abandoned mines in Caojiafang, Shijiaying Township, Fangshan District, Beijing, China Ecological management and value enhancement
7 Zoucheng City, Shandong Province, coal mining collapsed land governance to promote the realization of the value of ecological products Ecological management and value enhancement
8 Ecological restoration and value realization of South Lake Coal Mining subsidence area in Tangshan City, Hebei Province, China Ecological management and value enhancement
9 Carbon inclusion program for public welfare forests in Huadu District, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province, China Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading
10 Cost-benefit analysis based on natural capital in the UK Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading
Third batch Case Key practices
1 Forest rights reform and carbon sinks trading promote the realization of the value of ecological products in Sanming City, Fujian Province Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading
2 Azhike Village in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province, develops eco-tourism to realize harmonious coexistence between human and nature Eco-industrialization
3 Qingshan Village, Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, establishes a water fund to promote market-oriented and diversified ecological protection compensation Ecological compensation
4 Yinchuan Helan County, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, “rice fishery space” one, two, three production integration to promote the realization of the value of ecological products Eco-industrialization
5 Fusong County, Jilin Province, the development of ecological industries to promote the realization of the value of ecological products Eco-industrialization
6 Nan’ao County, Guangdong Province, “ecological island” to promote the realization of the value of ecological products Ecological management and value enhancement
7 Ecological management and comprehensive development of Fengjia River in Beihai City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Ecological management and value enhancement
8 Ecological restoration and value realization of Lotus Hill Mine in Danzhou City, Hainan Province, China Ecological management and value enhancement
9 German eco-accounts and eco-points Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading
10 Value realization of ecological products at Marford Farms, Maryland, USA Ecological compensation
11 Soil carbon sinks in Australia Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading

3 Case selection

Referring to the three batches, four typical local practices are selected as case samples (Table 3). Based on the analytical framework of the cases, the four cases are selected for single-case study to extract the characteristics of the elements that affect the ecological product value realization mode (Xu and Qin, 2023). Then, based on the single-case analysis, a multi-case comparative study is carried out to compare the commonalities and differences of the relevant elements, summarize their characteristics which affect the value realization mechanism of ecological products, and propose optimization ideas (Wang et al., 2022; Li, 2023).
Table 3 Characterization of cases of ecological product value realization
Case Regional
distribution		 Type of ecological
resources		 Key practices Participation of
subjects
Case 1: Trading of forest cover indicators in Chongqing Municipality Western region Abundant forest resources Ecological resource indicators and property rights trading Market-driven
Case 2: “Water Beauty Economy” in Guangze County, Nanping City, Fujian Province South-eastern seaboard Agricultural cultivation Eco-industrialization Government-led
Case 3: Compensation model for ecological protection in Qingshan Village, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province Yangtze River Delta Water resources Compensation for ecological protection Government-led market participation
Case 4: Ecological restoration and value realization of Huaxiacheng Mine, Weihai City, Shandong Province North China Cultivation of Chinese herbal medicines Ecological management and value enhancement Government-led market participation

3.1 Single case analysis

3.1.1 Case 1: Trading of forest cover indicators in Chongqing Municipality

Chongqing is an industry-oriented city, and the protection and utilization of its forest resources has always been of great concern. To raise public awareness of and value for forest resources, the Chongqing Municipal Government launched a policy measure called “Forest Cover Indicator Trading” in 2015. The policy aims to establish a mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products based on the trading of forest cover indicators, forming a virtuous cycle of ecological protection, and economic and social development among regions (Lu and Luo, 2021).
The main practices include the following: 1) Developing a forest cover indicator system: The municipal government has made forest cover one of the most important indicators of ecological environment quality, and established corresponding assessment standards and evaluation methods. 2) Introducing market-oriented tools: The municipality encour- ages enterprises to participate in the trading of the forest cover indicator, and has made it one of the standards of the assessment of the performance of the enterprises’ operation. 3) Implementing an incentive system: The municipality has set up an incentive fund to encourage enterprises to actively participate in trading. 4) Strengthening supervision: The municipality has set up a specialized agency to monitor the trading to ensure that the trading process is fair and just. These initiatives have provided strong support for the protection of forest resources in Chongqing, and promoted local economic and social development. In summary, the trading of forest cover indicators in Chongqing is a successful example of the mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products in Chongqing. It not only realizes the effective protection and utilization of forest resources, but also promotes local economic development and social progress. Concurrently, it provides a useful reference for other regions to carry out similar programs.
The main results of these efforts are summarized next: First, the trading of forest cover indicators is an important part of the mechanism for realizing the value of ecological products in Chongqing Municipality, which makes forest resources a tradable asset, thus breaking the traditional natural resource management mode and improving forest resource use efficiency. Second, it opens up the channels of realizing the value of ecological products in Chongqing Municipality. It provides an effective pricing basis for and new way of selling ecological products. Third, it builds a long-term mechanism for ecological protection.

3.1.2 Case 2: “Water Beauty Economy” in Guangze County, Ningping City, Fujian Province

Guangze County, Ningping City, Fujian Province, is a predominantly agricultural area, and its economic develop-ment relies mainly on the plantation and fishery industries. The county is rich in water resources, totaling 4.299 billion m3, and the per capita water resources possession is 26000 m3, which is 12 times higher than the national average and 7 times higher than that of the whole province. The county has 111 streams and rivers, many high-quality reservoirs such as Gaojia and Xiayang, and 2 hot springs and 14 underground mineral water points that can be developed (Li and Zeng, 2021).
The main practices are outlined below: First, through the county’s water resources survey and statistics, the goal is to determine the distribution of water resources in the county and characteristics of the various watersheds, which will help in the development of a water ecological products planning program. Second, they seek to strengthen the monitoring of water quality, strict control of pollution discharge, and construct water environment management projects. Third, the country seeks to cultivate the brand of water ecological products, increase value-added water ecological products, increase the publicity efforts, and actively promote the cultural connotation of water ecological products to create a brand image of water ecological products with local characteristics.
The main results of the efforts are summarized below: First, it has achieved obvious ecological benefits. For instance, a total of 41800 t of industrial wastewater discharges were reduced throughout the year, and the daily volume of water treated in rural sewage treatment plants reached 104 t, realizing full coverage. Second, it has effectively increased the output value of aquatic and ecological product to 120 million yuan, a year-on-year increase of 10.1%. Among these, the output value of aquaculture increased by 11.5%, while that of tea increased by more than 10%. Third, it effectively promotes regional development by accelerating the pace of regional tourism development, promoting the implementation rural revitalization strategy, and driving local farmers to increase their income. The county’s tourism economy continues to grow rapidly, receiving a total of 1246200 tourists throughout the year, an increase of 26.1%, with a total tourism revenue of 1.317 billion yuan, an increase of 35.2%. The county formed an aquatic ecological products industry cluster with a total output value of about 13.9 billion yuan, which gave stable employment to 21,000 people, accounting for 15.2% of the county’s total population.
Generally speaking, while protecting the ecological environment, Guangze County has leveraged its own resource advantages, focused on market demand orientation, constantly innovated the business model, and vigorously promoted the industrialization of aquatic ecological products. This has yielded remarkable economic and social benefits.

3.1.3 Case 3: Compensation model for ecological protection in Qingshan Village, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province

Qingshan Village is an administrative village under the jurisdiction of Huanghu Town, Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, China, with a population of more than 2600 people. The village is surrounded by mountains on three sides, has a pleasant climate, a forest coverage rate of nearly 80%, and is rich in moso bamboo resources. The local government has adopted a complete set of ecological protection compensation mechanism. The mechanism aims to improve the quality of life, and social and economic benefits of the village residents through the protection and restoration of the ecological environment. Simultaneously, it seeks to realize the multiple goals of improving the ecological environment of Qingshan Village, raising the ecological awareness of the villagers, and greening the development of the village (Wang et al., 2020).
The main practices are as follows: First, the “Good Water Fund” trust has formed, coupled with the establishment of multi-party participation and sustainable ecological compensation mechanism including the government, enterprises, social organizations, and individual donations. Second, it adheres to ecological priority For instance, in the implementation of the protection of water sources, the local government pursues ecological protection and compensation, and simultaneously, actively cultivates the market to introduce resources for diversified project development. It seeks to expand the sales channels of ecological agricultural products, emphasizes the development of cultural and creative products, and aims to develop eco-tourism. Third, efforts are being taken to innovate the way of building and sharing, and expand the ecological “circle of friends” and influence. This includes strengthening cooperation and exchange with the neighboring villages, and attracting a large number of employees of enterprises, Hangzhou citizens, domestic and foreign students, and other individuals to participate in ecological experience and nature education, and jointly promote the process of regional ecological construction.
The main results are outlined as follows: Firstly, the ecological environment has been significantly improved. Through the protection of water sources and systematic management, the water quality of Class III or IV in 2019 has been effectively controlled, and the rate of good water quality is over 90%. Second, the income level of the farmers has been effectively improved. For instance, the total agricultural output value of the whole year of 2019 has reached about 8 million yuan, and the average per capita net income has exceeded 7000 yuan. Third, the image of the village has been effectively upgraded. In 2019, it was named a national civilization model village and became one of the first batch of characteristic towns in Zhejiang Province. In conclusion, the ecological protection compensation mechanism of Qingshan Village in Yuhang District, Zhejiang Province, is a successful example of not only promoting rural economic development, but also leading the whole society in environmental protection actions (Liu et al., 2018).

3.1.4 Case 4: Ecological restoration and value realization of Huaxiacheng Mine in Weihai City, Shandong Province

The Huaxiacheng Scenic Spot in Shandong Province, China, is located in the Longshan area at the southern end of the Likou Mountain Range with a good original ecological environment and beautiful scenery. At the end of the 1970s, the Longshan area became a centralized mining area for building stone, and 26 enterprises are located there. After about 30 years of mining, the region has as many as 44 pits, destroyed 3767 ha of mountains, and resulted forest vegetation damage, dust and noise pollution, soil erosion, geological hazards, and other prominent problems. Consequently, surrounding villagers cannot perform normal production and life activities, and the regional natural ecosystem has seriously degraded. To solve these problems, the local government has taken several measures, including formulating relevant policies and regulations, strengthening supervision and management, and undertaking environmental management work. With the support of the environmental protection department, the ecological restoration project of the Huaxiacheng Mine, undertaken by Shandong Huaxia Mining Co., Ltd. was started in 2012 (Wang et al., 2021).
The main practices are outlined below: First, efforts have been undertaken to clarify property rights. Huaxia Group has invested more than 24 million yuan for obtaining the operating right of the central mining area, relocation compensation of mining enterprises, and ground attachment subsidies, among other actions, and leased 2586 acres of barren mountains and wasteland from the surrounding villages collectively. This has clarified the property rights of natural resources in the area to be restored. Second, actions have been taken to undertake the ecological restoration of mining pits. For different types of mining pits, different technical means of restoration are being used, such as landfilling, composting, reforestation, artificial wetland construction, and other means. For instance, 35 ponds and dams are being built. Further, cedars, black pines, acacia, willows and more than 200 kinds of trees are being planted to restore the ecological appearance of the waters and mountains so that they are green in all seasons. Third, efforts have focused on the development of the cultural and tourism industry. The sustainable development of the regional economy is being promoted by relying on the historical and cultural heritage of Huaxiacheng Scenic Spot, and development of tourism, leisure and vacation, conferences and exhibitions, and other forms of business.
The main results are summarized below: First, the ecological products have increased significantly. As of 2019, Huaxia Group has moved a total of 64.56 million m3 of earth, restored nearly 266.67 ha of destroyed mountains, and planted 11.89 million trees of various types. Indeed, the forest coverage rate of the Longshan area has increased from 56% to 95%, and the vegetation coverage rate has increased from 65% to 97%. Second, it has opened up the path for realizing the value of ecological products through the “ecology + cultural tourism industry” mode (Lei Ruiping et al., 2018). By the end of 2019, Huaxiacheng Scenic Spot had received nearly 20 million tourists, with an annual income of 230 million yuan, and 116 million yuan in taxes over the past five years. Thirdly, it has realized the comprehensive benefits of ecology, economy, and society. Huaxiacheng Scenic Spot has absorbed more than 1000 residents in the surrounding area for employment, with a per capita income of 40000 yuan per annum. It has led to the rapid development of the service industry of the surrounding areas, such as hotels, catering, and retailing, by adding hotel rooms and restaurants. For instance, the region has added approximately 4170 hotel rooms, and about 2000 new restaurants and other stores. It has absorbed more than 10000 peripheral residents to start their own businesses and employment. Finally, the average annual growth rate of the collective economic income of the surrounding 13 villages reached 14.8%, realizing the organic unity of the ecological, economic, and social benefits.

3.2 Comparative analysis of cases

3.2.1 Case commonality

Comparative analysis shows that although the four cases adopt different forms of ecological product value realization, their core concepts are all based on the principles of environmental protection and sustainable development. The realization of ecological product value usually has certain obstacles, and requires the initiating party to guide the rational allocation of six major influencing factors, namely, concept, natural resources, system, implementation body, funds, and technology. In the analyzed cases, these factors have significant common characteristics (Fig. 2). First, regarding the realization concept, all four cases focus on the combination of ecological protection and local residents’ livelihoods, and transform the good ecological environment into monetized value.
Fig. 2 Commonality analysis of the four cases
Second, on the natural background, the realization of ecological product value must be based on the systematic classification and value assessment of local natural resources, and design of scientific realization schemes based on the natural background.
Third, regarding the policy measures, the establishment of the system should be simultaneously based on clear property rights of the ecological products, and the realization of the value of ecological products. It should break the shackles of the original system, and strengthen the innovation of the system on the form of ecological products, the realization mechanism, and other levels. Simultaneously, it should set up a mechanism that balances the multiple interests.
Fourth, regarding the implementation party, there is a clear leading sponsor in each case, which can be initiated by the local government, or the social organization or other organizations. Notably, all cases have widely mobilized the power of multiple main parties.
Fifth, in terms of financial integration, all four cases have expanded diversified financial channels. The types of funds mainly include government funds, market-oriented funds, and social and individual donations.
Sixth, in terms of technology, all four cases have attached importance to the development of science and technology to realize the value of ecological products, introduced external technical support (universities, enterprises, etc.), and actively utilized information technology and other technologies to realize the value of ecological products.

3.2.2 Case differences

The cases have some differences in terms of the forms of realizing the value of ecological products. Specifically, the trading of forest coverage indicators in Chongqing Municipality is based on the trading of ecological resource indicators and property rights; the “Water Beauty Economy” fund in Guangze County, Nanping City, Fujian Province, is based on the mechanism of ecological industrialization; Qingshan Village in Yuhang District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, is based on the realization of the value of compensation for ecological protection; and the Huaxiacheng Mine in Weihai City, Shandong Province, is based on ecological restoration and realization of the value of ecological products. Each of these four approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages, some with lower risks and lower returns, while others with higher risks but higher returns. Further, the four cases have obvious differences in location conditions, natural endowments, and policy regimes. The ecological product value realization modes are also different, with Cases 1 and 4 being government-led ecological product value realization modes, Case 2 being market-led, and Case 3 being social organization-led. In addition, the four difference along the six factors of realization concept, natural resources, policy system, leading factor, capital, and technology (Fig. 3), which are discussed next.
Fig. 3 Case variance analysis
(1) Realization concept: Case 1 is mainly guided by the “Two Mountains” theory. Case 2 combines water resource protection with value-added hydrological and ecological products, and poverty alleviation with economic development. Case 3 improves the quality of life of the village residents and enhances the economic, social, and ecological benefits through the protection and restoration of the ecological environment. Case 4 realizes the value of ecological products through the restoration of the ecological environment.
(2) Natural background: Case 1 explores the trading of forest cover indicators by utilizing the advantages of local forestry resources. Case 2 has a good natural background but is threatened by destructive development. Case 3 is rich in natural resources but has limited development. Case 4 has serious ecological damage and a long recovery cycle.
(3) Policy measures: Case 1 clarifies the property rights, explores the trading mode of forest coverage index, and take the forest coverage index as one of the standards for enterprise performance evaluation. Case 2 establishes the “green water” compensation and small watershed water environment assessment mechanism, and explores the formulation of the baseline water price system of Guangze County. Case 3 constructs the market-based diversified ecological protection compensation mechanism with the participation of public welfare organizations and other social forces. In Case 4, the “government-guided, enterprise participation, and multi-party capital integration” model is adopted to carry out ecological restoration and governance in Longshan Area.
(4) Leading factor: Case 1 was led by the local government to design indicators and forest rights trading system, while widely mobilizing the participation of enterprises. Case 2 relies on the market, unified property rights transfer, market operation, and development of water conservancy assets. In Case 3, social protection public welfare organizations and the government cooperate to fund the efforts. Case 4 involved a government-led enterprise investment in the “ecological + cultural tourism industry” model.
(5) Financial coordination: Case 1 vigorously develops green finance, builds a platform for voluntary transactions, and introduces diversified funds such as social capital. Case 2 relies on the water ecological bank, and introduces industrial investors and operators through equity cooperation and entrusted operation. In Case 3, the main source of funds is the funds provided by the ecological protection public welfare organization, TNC, and the “Good Water Fund”. In Case 4, the main source of funds is provided by project responsible party, Weihai Huaxia Group Investment Co.
(6) Technical support: In Case 1, the municipal authorities hired a specialized agency to monitor the transaction of forest cover indicators. Case 2 introduced the technology of an external company to effectively implement the project in cooperation with local farmers. Case 3 involved cooperation with a local university to provide technical cooperation and support. Case 4 introduced the restoration technology of an external company to effectively implement the project.

4 Conclusions

This study selects 4 typical cases from the 32 cases released by the Ministry of Natural Resources, and analyzes them based on “economy-society-natural ecology” perspective. These are four typical cases of ecological restoration and value realization of Huaxiacheng Mine in Weihai City, Shandong Province, China. We find: First, different modes of eco-product value realization exist. Furthermore, different resource endowments and policy directions affect the realization of the value of eco-products.
Second, identifying the natural background is a prerequisite for realizing the value of eco-products, which is aimed at exploiting the transformative value of ecological resources.
Third, the ecological product value realization mechanism can be further optimized through conceptual innovation, policy leadership, expanding financial channels, optimizing the mechanism, fostering the main body of the market transaction, and focusing on the construction of the trading platform for realizing the value.
Finally, the ecological, economic, and social benefits produced by ecological products are the concrete manifestation of their value realization. These three benefits are complementary and mutually beneficial. Further, to a certain extent, they are transformed and promoted, thereby realizing the organic unity of ecological governance, ecological sharing and ecological wealth.
Our analysis shows obvious differences among the four cases in realizing the value of ecological products; still, all of them follow the basic principles of environmental protection and sustainable development. Further, the comparative analysis of the cases reveals that they are all innovative and practical. These cases also provide us with some valuable insights: First, the mechanism of realizing the value of ecological products should be determined considering the actual situation. Second, the policy support should be strengthened and financial investment should be increased. Finally, there should be a focus on publicity and promotion work to improve the public’s awareness of environmental protection. With the in-depth promotion of China’s ecological civilization construction, and continued improvement of relevant laws and regulations, more innovative modes of realizing the value of eco-products should emerge in various places. This will promote the further acceleration of China’s ecological civilization construction.

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