Identification and evaluation of multifunctionality in the selected ecosystems of Kargil Ladakh

Abstract

The mountain ecosystem of Kargil, Ladakh, provides essential services such as fooder, fuelwood, freshwater, grazing, water and air purification, recreational and ecotourism. However, these services had not been comprehensively documented before this study. Using economic and socio cultural valuation methods, this research evaluated provisioning, cultural, regulating, and supporting services provided by the ecosystem. The ecosystem services value varied across the regions for services categories. The total ecosystem service values of provisioning services were 23,241,420.08 $/a for agroecosystem and 8, 927,199.11 $/a for alpine grassland ecosystem. The regulating and supporting services of the mountain ecosystem (agroecosystem and alpine grassland ecosystem) were worth 606,320.89 $/a, whereas, the cultural services valued 913,553.49 $/a. The main factors influencing willingness to pay for the ecosystem services were income and qualification. It was also observed that most of the residents perceived these services as the most important and significant fo their wellbeing. Unfortunately, in the past three decades, land use changes, including vegetation decline and urban expansion has led to reduced ecosystem service delivery, especially freshwater, fodder, and grazing. The decline in snow cover and water bodies also affected water retention and regulation. Despite these changes, the mountain ecosystems continue to support local livelihoods through essential provisioning, regulating, and cultural services. The study highlights the need for conservation efforts to maintain these vital services for regional sustainability. newline