Environment evaluation system

Abstract

To evaluate conservation scenarios.SOLUTION: An environment evaluation system stores: first data relating to ecosystems in conservation target areas; second data relating to land use in the conservation target areas; and third data relating to conservation scenarios in the conservation target areas. The environment evaluation system extracts, based on the second data, a network structure in which regions, as nodes, possessing natural capital in the conservation target area. Based on the first data, the third data, and the extracted network structure, the system estimates an ecosystem function network that represents types of ecosystem functions of the nodes and a time-dependent function of interactions among the nodes. Based on the ecosystem function network and budget constraints relating to conservation scenarios for the nodes, which are calculated from the third data, the system calculates an economic value for changes in the ecosystem functions of the nodes resulting from the conservation scenarios for the nodes, and outputs the economic value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to valuing ecosystem function networks. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, due to interest in preserving the global environment, efforts are being made to realize a sustainable economy by evaluating ecosystems, the atmosphere, and the like as natural capital and incorporating it into economic activities. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-26507 is known as background art of this disclosure.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-26507 discloses that "the information processing device 10 outputs an evaluation list 11a which is a list of a plurality of different types of ecosystem services and includes, for each ecosystem service, information indicating one or more parameters used in an economic value evaluation method selected for that ecosystem service. The information processing device 10 then accepts values ​​of one or more parameters input based on the evaluation list 11a for two or more ecosystem services out of the plurality of ecosystem services listed in the evaluation list 11a. The information processing device 10 then calculates the economic value of the two or more ecosystem services based on the evaluation method for each ecosystem service and the values ​​of the one or more parameters input" (abstract). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-26507 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-26507 discloses the output of an evaluation list for each ecosystem service, which is used in the economic value evaluation method selected for that ecosystem service. However, because the value calculation method is not standardized, only past evaluations are possible, and future ecosystem conservation scenarios cannot be analyzed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An environmental assessment system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a computing device and a storage device, wherein the storage device stores first data relating to the ecosystem of an area to be conserved, second data relating to land use in the area to be conserved, and third data relating to conservation scenarios in the area to be conserved; the computing device extracts a network structure based on the second data, with areas of the area to be conserved that have natural capital as nodes; estimates an ecosystem function network representing the types of ecosystem functions of the nodes and functions of interactions between the nodes over time, based on the first data, the third data, and the network structure; calculates the economic value of changes in the ecosystem function of the nodes according to the conservation scenarios for the nodes, based on budget constraints relating to the ecosystem function network and the conservation scenarios for the nodes calculated from the third data, and outputs the economic value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, ecosystem conservation scenarios can be evaluated. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 shows an example of the logical configuration of an ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system according to an embodiment of the present specification. [Figure 2] An example of the hardware configuration of the ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system is shown below. [Figure 3] Examples of information included in the environmental information are shown below. [Figure 4] Examples of information included in land use information are shown below. [Figure 5] An example of information included in conservation land information is shown below. [Figure 6] 10 shows an example of the configuration of a maintenance information integration unit. [Figure 7A] An example of an ecosystem function network structure is shown below. [Figure 7B] This shows a schematic representation of the landscape of a certain area. [Figure 7C] The regional ecosystem function network structure is shown in Figure 7B. [Figure 8] 1 shows a schematic diagram of interactions between nodes. [Figure 9] 10 shows an example of a logical configuration of a network structure estimation unit. [Figure 10] 10 shows an example of the logical configuration of an imputed price calculation unit. [Figure 11] An example of information referenced to obtain the utility function u and the asset increase / decrease function f is shown below. [Figure 12A] 10 shows an example of a display image generated by the conservation effect display unit and output on the output device. [Figure 12B] 12A shows a detailed view of the imputed values ​​section on the ecosystem function network for the conservation area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In the following, when necessary for convenience, the description will be divided into multiple sections or examples, but unless otherwise specified, they are not unrelated to each other, and one is related to the other as a partial or complete modification, detail, supplementary explanation, etc. Furthermore, in the following, when the number of elements, etc. (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.) is mentioned, it is not limited to that specific number, and may be more or less than the specific number, unless otherwise specified or when it is clearly limited in principle to a specific number, etc.

[0010] The processor realizes a predetermined function by executing a program stored in a primary storage device. The primary storage device stores the program executed by the processor and data necessary for the execution of the program. The program includes an operating system (OS) (not shown) as well as other programs. The processor may include multiple chips and multiple packages.

[0011] A program is executed by a processor to perform a predetermined process using a storage device and a communication port (communication device). Therefore, in this and other embodiments, a description that uses a program as the subject may also use a processor as the subject. Alternatively, the process executed by a program is a process performed by the computer and computer system on which the program runs.

[0012] A processor operates as a functional unit (means) that realizes a predetermined function by operating according to a program. For example, a processor functions as a unit (means) by operating according to a program, and as a unit (means) by operating according to a program. The same applies to other programs. Furthermore, a processor also operates as a functional unit (means) that realizes each of the multiple processes executed by each program. A computer and a computer system are devices and systems that include these functional units (means).

[0013] Figure 1 shows an example of the logical configuration of an ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10 according to one embodiment of the present specification. The ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10 is an environmental assessment system. The ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10 holds land use information 11, environmental information 12, and conservation land information 13.

[0014] The ecosystem function network imputed price calculation system 10 further includes a network structure estimation unit 21, a conservation information integration unit 22, and an imputed price calculation unit 23. In addition, the ecosystem function network imputed price calculation system 10 includes a conservation effect display unit 24 and an output unit 25.

[0015] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10. Figure 2 shows an example of a general computer configuration, including an arithmetic unit 321, a main memory unit 322, an auxiliary memory unit 323, an input unit 324, an output unit 325, and a network interface 327.

[0016] Each part of the ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10 is communicatively connected to one another via communication means such as a bus 326. Note that all or part of the configuration of the ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10 may be realized by virtual resources such as a cloud server.

[0017] The arithmetic device 321 is configured using a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), etc. The arithmetic device 321 reads and executes the programs stored in the main memory device 322, thereby realizing the functions of the ecosystem function network attribution price calculation system 10.

[0018] The main memory device 322 is a device that stores programs and data, and is a ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM), or the like.

[0019] The auxiliary storage device 323 is, for example, an NVRAM such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), an SD memory card, an optical storage device such as a CD (Compact Disc) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or a storage area of ​​a cloud server. The auxiliary storage device 323 includes a non-transitory storage medium for storing programs and data. The programs and data stored in the auxiliary storage device 323 are loaded into the main storage device 322 as needed.

[0020] The input device 324 is an interface that accepts input of information, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a card reader, a microphone, etc. Alternatively, the ecosystem function network attribution price calculation system 10 may be configured to accept input of information between it and other devices via some kind of communication means.

[0021] The output device 325 is an interface that outputs various types of information, and is, for example, a screen display device such as a liquid crystal monitor, LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), or graphic card, a printer, or an audio output device such as a speaker. Alternatively, the ecosystem function network attribution price calculation system 10 may be configured to output information to and from other devices via some kind of communication means.

[0022] The network interface 327 is a device that enables the ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10 to communicate with other devices. Some of the components shown in Figure 2 may be omitted, and other components may be added.

[0023] The ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10 can be configured with one or more computers. In this way, the ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10 can include one or more processors and one or more storage devices. The one or more processors operate as predetermined functional units by executing programs stored in the one or more storage devices.

[0024] For example, the land use information 11, the environmental information 12, and the conservation land information 13 are stored in the auxiliary storage device 323 and loaded into the main storage device 322. By executing the program loaded from the auxiliary storage device 323 to the main storage device 322, it can operate as the network structure estimation unit 21, the conservation information integration unit 22, the attribution price calculation unit 23, the conservation effect display unit 24, and the output unit 25.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows an example of information included in environmental information 12. Environmental information 12 shows information on the ecosystem of a conservation target area, including multiple conservation target sites. In FIG. 3, column 121 shows the type of information, and column 122 shows specific data for each information type. As shown in FIG. 3, environmental information 12 can include, for example, animal habitat information 125, primary production vegetation information 126, mass balance information 127 related to carbon stocks, and mass balance information 128 related to nutrient amounts.

[0026] The animal habitat information 125 may include observation information and existing statistical data on animals living in the conservation area. The observation information may be, for example, data observed by humans, and may include audio data and image data. The audio data and image data may include information on the date, time, and location (area) of the observation. The statistical data may be, for example, statistical data obtained by regular ground observations by governmental bodies (e.g., the Ministry of the Environment) and provided to the public. Information on the habitats of various animals can be obtained from the animal habitat information. For example, information on animal habitats provides information on the edges connecting ecosystems at different locations (sites).

[0027] The vegetation information 126 can include observation information and existing statistical data on plants in the conservation area. The observation information is, for example, satellite images, and is stored together with information on the date, time, and location of the image. The statistical data is, for example, statistical data that is periodically observed on the ground by governmental bodies (for example, the Ministry of the Environment and the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan) and made available to the public. From the vegetation information, information on the habitats (distribution) of various plants, their density, and primary production can be obtained.

[0028] The carbon stock mass balance information 127 indicates the information necessary to estimate the carbon stock at each point in the conservation area, and includes vegetation information on the trees in the conservation area and tree shape information at each point. The tree shape information can include infrared laser measurement data on the diameter and height of the tree trunks, as well as the date and time and location where this data was acquired. Furthermore, carbon stock can be estimated by estimating the organic matter concentration in the soil through chemical analysis and multiplying this by the area of ​​the conservation area. This information can be used to estimate the amount of carbon stored in trees and other plants at each point in the conservation area, as well as the amount of carbon dioxide circulating.

[0029] The nutrient mass balance information 128 indicates the information necessary to estimate the amount of nutrients at each point in the conservation area, and includes water flow data for the rivers and lakes in the conservation area, as well as water quality data for the rivers and lakes. The water flow data may include, for example, flow velocity, water depth, and the date and time of data acquisition and the location. The water quality data may include dissolved oxygen, pH, chlorine content, and the date and time of data acquisition for indicators representing these chemical properties. This information allows estimation of the purification effect and amount of nutrients in each lake. Furthermore, the nitrogen load carried by the river provides information on the boundaries connecting ecosystems at different locations.

[0030] FIG. 4 shows an example of information included in the land use information 11. The land use information 11 shows information on land use in the conservation target area. In FIG. 4, column 111 shows the type of information, and column 112 shows specific data. As shown in the example of FIG. 4, the land use information 11 can include land use map information 115. The land use map shows the type of area, such as urban areas, various types of farmland, forests, rivers, etc.

[0031] The land use map information 115 can include existing observation information and statistical data. The observation information is, for example, satellite images, and includes information on the date, time, and location of their acquisition. The observation data may also include information obtained manually on the ground. The statistical data is, for example, statistical data obtained by regular ground observations conducted by governmental organizations (e.g., the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan) and made available to the public.

[0032] Figure 5 shows an example of information included in conservation land information 13. Conservation land information 13 shows information about each conservation land (conservation site) in the conservation target area. Figure 5 shows information about one conservation land in the conservation target area. Conservation land information 13 includes conservation land information for each conservation land within the conservation target area. Note that information for some conservation lands may not be included. Conservation land information 13 for each conservation land can be collected from the owner of the conservation land. In Figure 5, column 131 indicates the type of information, and column 132 indicates specific data. As illustrated in Figure 5, conservation land information 13 for each conservation land can include conservation land environmental information 135, conservation land geographic information 136, and conservation scenario information 137.

[0033] The conservation land environmental information 135 indicates environmental information of the target conservation land. Specifically, it may include information about the ecosystem of the conservation land and data about ecosystems individually owned by the owner of the conservation land.

[0034] The conservation land geographic information 136 may include geographic information of the conservation land held by the owner, such as a map plot of the conservation land and its center coordinates. The conservation scenario information 137 includes scenarios for one or more future conservation actions for the target conservation land. Conservation is the implementation of some kind of artificial action on the target ecosystem, and its purpose includes maintaining, improving (including restoration), or preventing deterioration of the current ecosystem.

[0035] Each conservation scenario can include, for example, a conservation budget, conservation actions (conservation actions) and implementation timing, and current and target values ​​of variables for specific ecosystem functions. The conservation budget and actions are given for the entire site or for each productive function of the site to be conserved. For example, the conservation budget is a one-year budget, and the conservation actions can be implemented, for example, to maintain and improve the environment or the ecosystem. For example, conservation actions (actions) are carried out at specific times within a year, and a budget is allocated to each conservation action within the annual budget.

[0036] An example of a conservation scenario is a conservation scenario for a park (site). The conservation scenario can include environmental maintenance and ecosystem maintenance and improvement. Environmental maintenance includes, for example, pruning trees, removing dead plants, and maintaining and managing the water system within the park. Water system (environment) maintenance includes, for example, removing garbage from the bottom of a pond. Ecosystem maintenance and improvement includes monitoring the chemical properties of the soil and water system within the park and confirming improvements (target values). The conservation scenario includes information on the timing and scale (budget) of conservation actions.

[0037] Another example of a conservation scenario is the conservation of private land (sites) owned by a company. This could be the conservation of green spaces scattered among buildings in the city center, or the forests and water systems within a business site in the suburbs. Each site has its own implementation items (conservation actions) and budgets required to maintain and improve it.

[0038] Another example of a conservation scenario is the improvement of abandoned farmland (sites). In this specification, conservation includes the act of restoring an environment that has been damaged by humans, such as abandoned land, to a state closer to its natural state. In this way, the act of restoring a site that has become a negative economic legacy and giving it value as natural capital is included in conservation, and the timing and budget (scale) of the conservation action are included in the conservation scenario.

[0039] As mentioned above, conservation scenarios include information on current and target values ​​for variables of specific ecosystem functions. Ecosystem functions are physical or chemical reactions involving living organisms and can be expressed as quantifiable variables such as the presence or output of energy or materials. Examples of ecosystem functions include the maintenance and purification of water quality by aquatic systems and soils, carbon fixation and photosynthesis by forests, and nutrient fixation by primary production such as phytoplankton.

[0040] An example of a measurement that represents ecosystem function is measuring the movement of chemical substances. In the case of water quality, a model of ecosystem function Q can be defined using the input and output of chemical substances that represent water quality as indicators. For example, forest carbon storage and photosynthesis can be estimated using the input and output of carbon, and primary production can be estimated using the input and output of nitrogen. Ecosystem function Q can be defined based on such models.

[0041] For example, a conservation scenario for improving water quality sets target values ​​for indicators (variables) that indicate the purity of water quality, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen concentration, total phosphorus concentration, BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand), and COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), and indicates the implementation measures (conservation actions) and budgets to achieve them.

[0042] As another example, a forest conservation scenario would set a target for forest carbon stocks and indicate the actions and budget required to achieve the target. Improvements to carbon stocks could include, for example, reforestation and improving vegetation distribution to increase the carbon content of soil.

[0043] Another example of a conservation scenario aims to expand an animal's range or maintain its existing range, and shows the implementation items (conservation actions) for maintaining green spaces or constructing new green spaces, as well as the timing and budget. Examples of establishing green spaces that support animal behavior include green spaces among urban buildings, parks, and forests and green spaces along riverbanks. For example, maintenance and improvement can be confirmed by monitoring birds and insects (variables of ecosystem function).

[0044] The conservation scenario information 137 may further include information on the past conservation performance of the conservation area. Similar to information on future conservation scenarios, past performance may include the conservation budget, implementation details and timing, and values ​​of specific ecosystem function variables before and after the conservation action. Past performance allows for more accurate estimation of changes in ecosystem function variables in the conservation area due to future conservation scenarios. Using this conservation performance allows for more accurate estimation of the time function Q(t), which represents ecosystem function (described below). Methods for estimation include estimation of function forms using statistical processing and estimation using machine learning.

[0045] Next, we will explain the processing of the maintenance information integration unit 22. The maintenance information integration unit 22 integrates maintenance information collected from owners of maintenance land, and generates input data for the network structure estimation unit 21 and the attribution price calculation unit 23.

[0046] 6 shows an example of the configuration of the maintenance information integrating unit 22. The maintenance information integrating unit 22 includes a maintenance location information processing unit 221, a maintenance location geographic information output unit 222, a maintenance location environmental information output unit 223, a maintenance scenario information output unit 224, and a utility function output unit 225.

[0047] The conservation land information processing unit 221 extracts conservation land geographic information, conservation land environmental information, and conservation scenario information from the conservation land information 13 collected from conservation land owners. The conservation land geographic information output unit 222, conservation land environmental information output unit 223, and conservation scenario information output unit 224 output the conservation land geographic information, conservation land environmental information, and conservation scenario information to other logical components or the auxiliary storage device 323, respectively.

[0048] The conservation area information processing unit 221 retrieves a predefined utility function for each conservation area conservator from the auxiliary storage device 323 and passes it to the utility function output unit 225. The utility function will be described in detail later, but it is registered in the system in advance by a user who holds information on economic activity in the entire conservation area. The utility function output unit 225 outputs the utility function to other logic components, for example.

[0049] Furthermore, for a specific node, information necessary for increasing economic capital or increasing economic scale can be estimated from statistical data on the industry in the region, such as map information, and assigned to the node. For example, information on the sales and productivity of farmland corresponds to an increase in economic scale, a concept included in the utility function, and economic scale can be estimated using statistical data on the area of ​​farmland and the average sales per unit area of ​​farmland in the region in map information. Note that the utility function output unit 225 may generate the utility function by using, for example, an existing model representing the utility function and machine learning.

[0050] The following describes the processing executed by the network structure estimation unit 21. The network structure estimation unit 21 generates an ecosystem function network from information about the conservation target area. Note that the ecosystem function network does not have to be generated by the ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10, but may instead be generated manually and stored in the ecosystem function network imputation price calculation system 10.

[0051] Figure 7A shows an example of an ecosystem function network structure. Figure 7A shows the ecosystem function network structure of a portion of an ecosystem function network representing the entire conservation area. The ecosystem function network structure includes nodes and edges connecting the nodes that interact with each other. Figure 7A shows four nodes and three edges.

[0052] Each node represents one ecosystem function of one site (point). The sites indicated by the nodes are conservation areas and points other than conservation areas that have ecosystem functions extracted from the land use information 11 and environmental information 12. The ecosystem functions indicated by the nodes are ecosystem functions designated for the points in question. Here, points other than conservation areas that have ecosystem functions extracted from the land use information 11 and environmental information 12 are plots that are not conservation areas but have ecosystem functions due to their land use type.

[0053] Examples include lakes and marshes, fields, forests around shrines and temples, and forests and ponds on private land. Even if these types of land are not conservation areas, they have ecosystem functions and are therefore defined in advance as nodes in the system. Multiple ecosystem functions can be specified for a single location. In other words, multiple nodes representing different ecosystem functions can be defined for a single location. Furthermore, edges can be defined between different nodes at the same location to indicate their interactions.

[0054] Each node has a shape according to the type of ecosystem function it represents. Figure 7A shows three examples of node shapes: diamond, triangle, and circle. As mentioned above, ecosystem functions are represented by corresponding variables. The strength of the ecosystem function is expressed according to the value of the variable. Here, the larger the node, the stronger (more abundant) the ecosystem function the land has.

[0055] For example, if an ecosystem function is expressed by carbon storage, the larger the value, the larger the node shape. If an ecosystem function is expressed by the amount of oxygen supplied by photosynthesis, the larger the supply, the larger the node shape. If an ecosystem function is expressed by a variable indicating the purity of water, the closer the value is to the ideal value, the larger the node shape. However, by representing the type and intensity of each ecosystem function of each piece of land as the shape of a node in this way, users can easily visually recognize information about the ecosystem function of each location in the image display. Note that the different ecosystem functions of each piece of land may be represented in other ways.

[0056] Edges between nodes represent interactions between them. The ecosystem functions of one piece of land can affect the ecosystem functions of another piece of land through certain intermediaries. Examples of intermediaries include rivers, animals, and wind (atmosphere). For example, chemical substances and purified water from forests and lakes can be carried to agricultural land via rivers and animals. More specifically, there is the circulation of nutrients. Organic matter and nitrogen compounds produced in forests and other places are washed out of the soil by rain, collected in rivers, and then discharged into lakes and the sea. Along the way, some nutrients are drawn into rice fields along with the water through irrigation. These cycles can be estimated from changes in water quality at each point using water quality meters installed at river sluice gates.

[0057] Nitrogen compounds are nitrate and ammonia nitrogen, and are measured by pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate concentration, and ammonia concentration. Seeds are an example of materials carried by animals and wind. Their transport promotes primary production in and around fields and soil improvement by bacteria, thereby adjusting the nutritional status of the fields.

[0058] Figure 7B schematically shows the landscape of a certain region, and Figure 7C shows an ecosystem function network structure extracted from information about the region shown in Figure 7B. In Figure 7B, several areas in the landscape are indicated by reference numerals 521 to 532. In Figure 7C, nodes 551 to 560 and edges 571 to 573 are indicated by reference numerals as examples. In the ecosystem function network structure shown in Figure 7C, the combination of node shape and pattern represents the type of ecosystem function of that node. Furthermore, the size of the node represents the strength of the ecosystem function. Furthermore, the type of edge indicates the type of intermediary of interaction. By illustrating the ecosystem function network structure in this way, users can intuitively and easily understand the ecosystem function network structure.

[0059] Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of interactions between nodes. In the graph of Figure 8, the horizontal axis represents the distance d between nodes, and the vertical axis represents the interaction I ij (d) shows interaction I ij can be expressed by the value of the ecosystem function variable of the affected node j. Node i and node j each include information on their location and the type and strength of their ecosystem function. In the example shown in Figure 8, the variables of the function of node-to-node interactions include the distance between nodes. The variables can further include the strength of the biological system function of each node and the strength of the ecosystem function of intermediates such as rivers. The distance dependency of interactions between nodes may differ for each type of node.

[0060] 9 shows an example of the logical configuration of the network structure estimation unit 21. The network structure estimation unit 21 includes a node property calculation unit 211, an edge property calculation unit 212, and an ecosystem function network generation unit 215. The network structure estimation unit 21 further includes an environmental information processing unit 216, a land use information processing unit 217, a conservation area environmental information processing unit 218, and a conservation area geographic information processing unit 219.

[0061] The environmental information processing unit 216 extracts information for generating characteristic information of the nodes and edges of the ecosystem function network from the environmental information 12. Specifically, the distribution of specific values ​​within the conservation target area is extracted from the various types of information 125 to 128 included in the environmental information 12.

[0062] The environmental information processing unit 216 generates an animal habitat distribution map from the animal habitat information 125. The animal habitat distribution map shows habitat ranges as a layer on, for example, GIS (Geographic Information System) data. In generating the animal habitat distribution map, the maximum movement ranges of various animals are estimated from the observation information, and statistical data can be used as constraints on the estimated ranges.

[0063] The environmental information processing unit 216 generates a plant species distribution map from the vegetation information 126. The plant species distribution map shows the distribution of plant species as a layer on GIS data, for example. In generating the plant species distribution map, for example, an interpretation process using a machine learning model or the like is performed on satellite images, and the distribution and density of plants are calculated.

[0064] The environmental information processor 216 generates a carbon stock distribution from the carbon stock mass balance information 127. The carbon stock distribution is displayed as a layer on the GIS data, representing the carbon stock distribution in the target conservation area. From the carbon stock distribution, the carbon stock amount and carbon dioxide circulation amount can be extracted as characteristic information of the nodes in the ecosystem function network structure.

[0065] To generate a carbon mass distribution, for example, the diameter of the tree trunk can be extracted from infrared laser measurement data, and the carbon storage coefficient for each tree type can be determined from vegetation information. From this information, it is possible to calculate the distribution of the overall carbon storage in the target conservation area and the distribution of the carbon dioxide circulation rate per unit area. The carbon dioxide circulation rate per unit area is calculated based on the average carbon stock of a given area, even if it is 1 km². 2 The rate at which the surrounding forest absorbs carbon dioxide is measured. This distribution is defined as the distribution of the rate at which carbon dioxide circulates per unit area.

[0066] The environmental information processing unit 216 extracts the nitrogen load carried by rivers, the purification effect of lakes and marshes, and the amount of nutrients from the mass balance information 128 related to water purification and nutrient amounts. For example, the identification of rivers can be extracted as edge characteristics of the ecosystem function network, and the purification effect of lakes and marshes, the amount of nutrients, etc. can be extracted as node characteristics.

[0067] For example, the environmental information processing unit 216 can calculate the water flow rate of a river from its depth and flow velocity data, and calculate the nitrogen load carried by the river from the water flow rate and nitrogen content. It can also estimate the purification effect of lakes and ponds from the amount of dissolved oxygen and pH of the lakes and ponds.

[0068] The land use information processing unit 217 generates graphical information of the nodes and edges of the ecosystem function network structure of the conservation target area from the land use information 11. For example, the land use information processing unit 217 performs interpretation processing on satellite images using a machine learning model or the like. Land use maps at a certain point in time published by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan can be used as learning data.

[0069] The land use information processing unit 217 extracts parcel information from the determined utilization map. The parcel information indicates the area of ​​the parcel and the coordinates of its central point. Among the coordinates of the central points, the coordinates of points that produce substances through ecosystem functions (forests, lakes, etc.) or consume substances (fields, etc.) are used as node coordinates of the ecosystem function network structure. The type of parcel at the points extracted as nodes may be predefined. The distance between central points is used as edge information for the ecosystem function network structure. Rivers are also extracted as edges. The classification of points extracted as edges may be predefined.

[0070] The conservation area environmental information processing unit 218 performs the same processing as the environmental information processing unit 216 on the conservation area environmental information 135. The processing result of the conservation area environmental information processing unit 218 may be added to the processing result of the environmental information processing unit 216.

[0071] The conservation area geographic information processing unit 219 performs the same processing as the land use information processing unit 217 on the conservation area geographic information 136. The processing result of the conservation area geographic information processing unit 219 may be added to the processing result of the land use information processing unit 217.

[0072] As described above, animal habitat distribution maps, plant species distribution maps, distribution maps of variables representing ecosystem functions, and land use classification information are acquired from externally collected information 11, 12, and 13. From this information, the network structure estimation unit 21 generates an ecosystem function network for the entire conservation target area. The ecosystem function network includes nodes and edges connecting the nodes. The characteristics of these components are calculated.

[0073] The node characteristic calculation unit 211 calculates the characteristics of the nodes in the ecosystem function network. The node characteristic calculation unit 211 acquires ecosystem information such as carbon storage, carbon dioxide circulation, water purification, and nutrient amount from the environmental information processing unit 216 and the conservation area environmental information processing unit 216. The node characteristic calculation unit 211 also acquires graphic information (node ​​coordinates and inter-node distances) of the nodes and edges in the network structure from the land use information processing unit 217 and the conservation area geographic information processing unit 219. The node characteristic calculation unit 211 assigns ecosystem function information to each node in the ecosystem function network structure. The relationship between the type of land parcel and the ecosystem function of the node may be defined in advance, and the ecosystem function of the node may be determined accordingly.

[0074] The edge characteristic calculation unit 212 calculates the characteristics of the edges of the ecosystem function network. The edge characteristic calculation unit 212 acquires ecosystem information such as the amount of nitrogen load carried by rivers, GIS data of animal habitat information, and GIS data of vegetation maps from the environmental information processing unit 216 and the conservation area environmental information processing unit 216. Furthermore, it acquires graphical information (node ​​coordinates and distances between nodes) of the nodes and edges of the network structure from the land use information processing unit 217 and the conservation area geographic information processing unit 219.

[0075] The edge characteristic calculation unit 212 estimates the amount of animal and vegetation transport between nodes using node coordinates and GIS data on animal habitat distribution and plant species distribution maps. Animal transport can be estimated from their movement range and speed. Vegetation transport is defined as a function that attenuates as the distance increases from the center of a node coordinate. These transport amounts are included in edge information. Furthermore, the amount of nitrogen load carried by rivers can be included in edge information between lakes and marshes, for example. In this way, the relationship between the type of land parcel and the transport of materials along an edge can be defined in advance, and edge characteristics can be determined accordingly.

[0076] The obtained edge information is the amount of transport between unit distances, so the edge characteristic calculation unit 212 converts everything into distance. In other words, the amount of movement of a substance or the like is obtained by multiplying distance by velocity, but the edge characteristic calculation unit 212 normalizes the velocity to a constant value and projects the amount of movement onto distance to obtain edge information. Alternatively, normalization can be performed to a constant value, and the amount of movement can be expressed as velocity to obtain edge information.

[0077] The ecosystem function network generation unit 215 acquires the coordinates and characteristic information of each calculated node from the node characteristic calculation unit 211, and acquires the distance and characteristic information of each calculated edge from the edge characteristic calculation unit 212. The ecosystem function network generation unit 215 generates an ecosystem function network for the conservation target area from the acquired information.

[0078] Next, a conceptual explanation will be given of the processing of the imputed price calculation unit 23. Figure 10 shows an example of the logical configuration of the imputed price calculation unit 23. The imputed price calculation unit 23 calculates the imputed price of conservation actions at each conservation site. The imputed price represents economic value. The imputed price calculation unit 23 calculates the imputed price of a conservation scenario using an economic evaluation method that evaluates imputed prices from the ecosystem function network and conservation scenario information including budget constraints. Economic evaluation methods include imputed price calculation using the Lagrange multiplier method and optimization of imputed price changes in each period using dynamic programming that uses optimal control theory such as the Pontry-Gann maximization principle.

[0079] The attribution price calculation unit 23 includes an ecosystem function network input unit 231, a conservation scenario information input unit 232, a utility function input unit 233, and a site attribution price calculation unit 234. The ecosystem function network input unit 231 acquires information on the ecosystem function network generated by the ecosystem function network generation unit 215 and stored, for example, in the auxiliary storage device 323. The conservation scenario information input unit 232 and the utility function input unit 233 acquire the conservation scenario information generated by the maintenance information integrating unit 22, for example, from the auxiliary storage device 323. The utility function input unit 233 acquires the utility function from, for example, the maintenance information integrating unit 22.

[0080] The site imputed price calculation unit 234 calculates the imputed price (potential price) of each site (location) that has one or more ecosystem functions. The site imputed price calculation unit 234 calculates the time change in the imputed price of each site under the conservation scenario using dynamic programming that utilizes optimal control theory such as Lagrange's undetermined multiplier method and Pontry-Gann's maximization principle. To calculate the imputed price, a value Hamiltonian Hi is defined for each site i.

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[0082] where t represents the period (time), kt of site i represents capital in period t, lt represents capital consumption at site i in period t, and λt represents the imputed price of site i in period t. Also, u is the utility function of site i, and f is a function showing the increase or decrease in capital at site i.

[0083] Capital kt is a variable that represents the amount of economic capital of the node in period t, and consumption lt is a variable that represents the consumption of economic capital of the site in period t. The utility function of site i represents the utility brought about by utilizing all the functions of site i. The utility function is predefined for site i. The utility function of site i is expressed, for example, as the product of economic capital and natural capital, and indicates greater utility for developing the economy while maintaining the environment.

[0084] If the utility function is expressed as the product of economic capital and natural capital, and the functional form of economic capital is predetermined, the economic capital function can be estimated from financial information using machine learning or statistical methods on a model that shows the functional form of economic capital, such as the Ramsey model.The relationship between ecosystem functions, ecosystem services, and natural capital is used as a method for systems to estimate the natural capital function.

[0085] Generally, ecosystem functions are said to have one of the following characteristics: supporting function, supply function, regulating function, or cultural contribution, which nature possesses. Supporting functions include, for example, the circulation of nitrogen resources and carbon atoms, soil formation, and primary production. Supply functions include, for example, food supply, fuel supply, and water supply. Regulating functions include, for example, climate regulation, flood control, water purification, soil purification, and air purification. Cultural contributions include, for example, aesthetic, spiritual, and educational influences.

[0086] In this way, ecosystem function refers to both the reserves (stocks) that nature possesses and the flows that result from those stocks. Here, natural capital generally refers to the stocks formed and stored by nature, such as forests, soil, water, air, and biological resources. Therefore, natural capital is expressed in a form that sums or combines the ecosystem functions related to the aforementioned stocks, such as the amount of carbon stored in forests, in some functional form.

[0087] As an example, the natural capital Ni of site i can be expressed by linearly combining the ecosystem functions Qi related to stocks of each node of site i with an appropriate weighting coefficient ak. Furthermore, the natural capital N of the region can be expressed by linearly adding the natural capital Ni of site i with an appropriate weighting coefficient bi.

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[0090] Here are some examples of economic and natural capital that define a site's utility function. For example, in the case of a forestry node, economic capital is the sum of the human capital, equipment capital, and land required for forestry, as well as the currency earned from the sale of timber produced using these resources, and appears in the financial information for forestry. Natural capital refers to the entire surrounding environment necessary for forestry, such as the soil and rivers necessary for the circulation of nutrients in forests used for forestry. There is also the influence of adjacent natural forests. For example, in the case of a rice field node, economic capital is the sum of the human capital, equipment capital, and land required for production in the fields, as well as the currency earned from the sale of food produced using these resources, and appears in the financial information for agriculture.

[0091] Natural capital refers to the entire surrounding environment necessary for production in fields, such as soil, rivers that provide water for irrigation, and organic matter that flies in from the surrounding area, as well as the animals that provide such matter. In the case of a natural forest node, there is no economic capital; the natural capital that influences the forest node is the forest itself. In addition, there are other natural environments that bring about interactions between nodes, such as surrounding business nodes, forestry land nodes, and field nodes. For example, in the case of a park node, economic capital is the sum of the human capital, equipment capital, and land required to maintain the park, as well as the budget for maintaining them, and is reflected in the financial information for park maintenance.

[0092] The natural capital of a park is the forests, ponds, swamps, grasslands, and soil within the park. In the case of a bank or riverbed node, it is the sum of the human capital, equipment capital, and land required to maintain the bank or riverbed, as well as the budget for maintaining them, and it appears in the government's financial information.

[0093] The natural capital of a riverbed node is the effect of maintaining the forests, grasslands, soil, and river edges within the site. In the case of a sea / lake node, there is no economic capital, and the natural capital is the forest itself of the sea / lake node. Among these are the aquatic plants, algae, and fish that live on the bottom. In the fisheries / aquaculture node, it is the sum of the human capital, equipment capital, and land required for fishing / aquaculture, as well as the money obtained from sales of the timber produced using these, which appears in the financial information of fishing / aquaculture. The natural capital is the surrounding environment of seas and lakes.

[0094] The function f, which indicates the increase or decrease in capital, is defined in advance for site i. Of the economic capital and natural capital mentioned above, function f refers to the increase or decrease in economic capital. In the case of a forestry land node, economic capital was explained as the sum of the human capital, equipment capital, and land required for forestry, as well as the money obtained from sales of the timber produced using these. Using this information as input values, function f is expressed as a differentiable function.

[0095] Here, of the economic capital kt for period t, the portion allocated to production is the production budget X, and the portion allocated to maintaining and improving natural capital that contributes to production is the conservation budget Y. Furthermore, in production, an increase or decrease in economic capital occurs due to the difference between the amount of economic capital consumed lt allocated to production and the amount of new economic capital obtained through the buying and selling of products, etc.

[0096] The same structure of function f can be obtained for farmland nodes and fisheries / aquaculture nodes. On the other hand, for nodes maintained by public investment, such as revetments and riverbed nodes, function f represents the increase or decrease in the human capital, equipment capital, and land required to maintain the revetments and riverbeds, as well as the budget for maintaining them. Also, for nodes representing the natural environment, such as forest nodes, there is no increase or decrease in economic capital, so function f is a constant.

[0097] An example of the information 601 referenced to obtain the utility function u and asset increase / decrease function f is shown in Figure 11. This information can be entered by the user when using the system. It is also possible to set the utility function and asset increase / decrease function f by extracting and modeling an average company in each industry from publicly available financial statements or regional statistical data. This model can also be described using functions that represent companies that appear in economics.

[0098] The imputed price of site i can be determined by dynamic optimization using optimal control theory, based on the value Hamiltonian Hi and the constraints g related to each node's budget and ecosystem function. In other words, the imputed price difference (λt+1-λt) between period (t+1) and period t can be determined using the following partial differential equation. When determined using dynamic optimization using optimal control theory, the amount of capital kt invested each period and the amount of consumption lt are determined so as to maximize the utility function by the final period t=T. Here, the relationship between kt and lt is clear, using function f, which relates to the increase or decrease in capital. Therefore, once kt is determined, lt can be calculated at the same time. Furthermore, the imputed price of the invested capital kt is calculated as λt. Here, (kt+1-kt) is expressed using function f, which indicates the increase or decrease in capital.

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[0102] μt is equivalent to the imputed price λt for period t evaluated at the initial stage (period 0). It is calculated simultaneously with λt when calculating equations 2 through 4. This makes it possible to calculate the imputed price t periods into the future at the beginning of the plan, or conversely, to calculate the imputed price t periods before. As mentioned above, constraint g includes constraints on the budget of each node and constraints in the ecosystem function network, including interactions between nodes. The budget constraints for each node are expressed by the following equation. Here, Yi is the budget allocated to the conservation of site i, and Xi is the budget allocated to production at site i. The sum of these budgets is the constant K. In dynamic optimization methods, this constant K is expressed as K≦kt+1-kt.

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[0104] Next, the following constraints exist for each ecosystem function at site i. The following equation (reaction-diffusion equation) is based on a model described by elements of dissipation and diffusion, and represents the propagation of ecosystem functions across the ecosystem function network. Dissipation here refers to the self-consumption and self-recovery of each ecosystem function at site i, and is composed of Ri, Xi, and Yi, which will be described later. Propagation refers to the edge characteristics of the network structure mentioned above, and is represented by Qint, which will be described later. Models described by elements of dissipation and diffusion can be expressed by other equations.

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[0106] Qi represents one of the one or more ecosystem functions of site i. Ri represents the spontaneous increase or decrease of an ecosystem function. For example, it is predefined and expressed as a function with the type and intensity of the function as variables. It can also be estimated by empirically deriving it through observation. Yi is the budget allocated to conservation of site i, in other words, the amount of economic capital allocated to conservation. Xi is the budget allocated to production of site i, in other words, the amount of economic capital allocated to production, and is a constant multiple (including 1) of consumption lt. The amount of economic capital and budget for sites (nodes) other than conservation areas are set according to the type of each non-conservation area node, as described above. γi, αi, and βi are predefined coefficients. γi, αi, and βi are coefficients that differ for each ecosystem function and each type of node. Qint represents the total advection from other sites, as shown in the following equation.

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[0108] Constraint g is expressed as the weighted sum of budget constraints and ecosystem function constraints, as shown in the following equation.

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[0110] As mentioned above, the imputed price change for site i is determined based on the value Hamiltonian H and constraint g. The value Hamiltonian H includes a utility function that aims to develop economic scale (economic capital) while maintaining or improving the environment (natural capital). This allows the imputed price of natural capital to be determined from the perspective of economic capital.

[0111] In addition, the constraint g includes constraints on ecosystem functions in addition to the conservation and production allocation of economic capital (Equation 5). Furthermore, constraints on ecosystem functions include influences from other sites. Therefore, the imputed price of each site can be determined through interactions in the ecosystem function network, including the interaction of imputed prices between sites.

[0112] One or more conservation scenarios are prepared for site i of a conservation area, and each conservation scenario includes information on a budget and conservation actions. As described above, the information on the conservation scenario is incorporated into the partial differential equation that determines the imputed price of site i. This makes it possible to determine the imputed price for each conservation scenario. Furthermore, even for non-conservation areas, if there is a business plan for maintaining the environment of that viewpoint each season, such as a forestry node, farmland node, or fishing node, the plan and budget can be used as a scenario for determining the imputed price. The aforementioned business plan includes corporate activities that have a substantial environmental conservation effect, such as maintaining seaweed beds for fishing, so the business plan and budget can be considered as the conservation scenario and conservation budget.

[0113] The method for calculating imputed prices has been explained above when a utility function is set for each node, but calculations are also possible when the utility function is set as a function of time that includes the increase in the economy of the entire region and the increase in environmental conservation effects for the entire region, and this method will be explained below.In this case, the economic scale of the entire region, out of the utility function U for the entire region, is the sum of the total amount of economic capital set for each node and the trading amount in the secondary market of the target region.

[0114] The trading amount in the secondary market of the target area can be obtained from statistical data. The environmental conservation effect of the entire region is measured by whether the local environment has improved in line with the conservation goals set by the local government of the target area. The ecosystem functions representing each item that makes up the conservation goals set by the local government of the target area are expressed as the sum function Q_All of each ecosystem function Qi of each node, and the conservation effect is expressed as an increase in ecosystem function for the entire region.

[0115] By defining the utility function for the region in this way, it is possible to express the increase or decrease in the imputed price for the entire region by using the results of calculating the increase or decrease in the utility function for each node and the magnitude of its imputed price. The imputed price for the entire region calculated in this way can be displayed on a display unit (described later) so that the user can check the effect of conservation.

[0116] Below, we will explain examples of information presented to the user by the conservation effect display unit 24. Fig. 12A shows an example of a display image generated by the conservation effect display unit 24 and output on the output device 325. By referring to the display image, the user can confirm information about the economic effects of the conservation scenario on the conservation target area and conservation land.

[0117] The example display image shown in Figure 12A includes a conservation area map 401, a target area ecosystem function network 402, the ecosystem function of the site at a specific time 403, the imputed price of the site at a specific time 404, the imputed price on the ecosystem function network for the conservation area 405, the change in imputed price for the entire conservation area in the conservation scenario 406, and the change in ecosystem function and imputed price for each conservation action 407.

[0118] The conservation target area map 401 shows a map of the conservation target area. The map of the conservation target area can be generated from the land use information 11. The target area ecosystem function network 402 shows an image of the ecosystem function network structure of the target area generated by the network structure estimation unit 21. As described above, the ecosystem function network structure includes nodes with different shapes for each function and connecting edges between nodes that interact with each other.

[0119] The ecosystem function of a site at a specific time 403 is shown as a bar graph, which shows the estimated strength of a specific function at a specific time for each of all sites for a conservation scenario combination consisting of specific conservation scenarios for each of all sites. As described above, the change in ecosystem function over time can be estimated using Equation 6. The conservation effect display unit 24 can estimate the strength of the ecosystem function at a specific time from the current strength of the ecosystem function and its change over time, and generate an image of this.

[0120] The site attributed price 404 at a specific time is a bar graph showing the estimated value of the attributed price of each site at a specific time for the maintenance scenario combination consisting of the specific maintenance scenarios for each site. The attributed price of each site is calculated by the site attributed price calculation unit 234 as described above.

[0121] Figure 12B shows details of the imputed price 405 on the ecosystem function network for the conservation target area in the display image shown in Figure 12A. The imputed price 405 on the ecosystem function network for the conservation target area is shown as an image in which the conservation target area map 401 and the target area ecosystem function network 402 are overlaid. Furthermore, information on the contribution from other sites to the imputed price of a selected site at a specific time is shown in a pie chart. One example of a method for calculating the contribution from other sites is to estimate how the amount of transfer between sites is overlaid from the types of ecosystem functions included in adjacent nodes, and then calculate the contribution rate of the imputed price by taking into account the magnitude relationship of the overlay coefficients.

[0122] Change in imputed price across the conservation area under conservation scenario 406 is a bar graph showing the estimated change in imputed price across the conservation area under each of the different conservation scenarios at a particular site. The conservation scenario at other sites is held constant. The change in imputed price across the conservation area is the sum of the changes in imputed price across all sites.

[0123] Changes in ecosystem function and imputed value by conservation action 407 show the changes over time in ecosystem function and imputed value due to different conservation actions (conservation scenarios) for a specific site. The conservation scenario for other sites is fixed. In the example shown in Figure 12A, the changes over time in ecosystem function and imputed value for the site due to different conservation actions under the same budget plan are shown. The strength of ecosystem function and the imputed value of the site can be estimated as described above.

[0124] μt is equivalent to the imputed price λt for period t evaluated at the initial stage (period 0). It is calculated during the calculation process described above. This makes it possible to calculate the imputed price for period t ahead at the beginning of the plan, and conversely, it is also possible to calculate the imputed price for period t ahead. Although not shown in the display diagram in Figure 12A, this display unit makes it possible to compare the imputed prices of maintenance actions before and after the target period, making it possible to configure a display unit that supports long-term planning.

[0125] The output unit 25 outputs information similar to the information shown in Fig. 12A to an external database. For example, the database can be accessed by specific related parties or by unspecified people. By accessing the database, a user can access information similar to the information shown in Fig. 12A. Note that the output unit 25 or the conservation effect display unit 24 may be omitted.

[0126] As described above, one embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to evaluate how the increase in economic value of ecosystem functions restored through conservation implemented at a conservation site spreads to other sites, and to develop conservation plans that increase the economic value of the entire region.

[0127] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, or to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Furthermore, it is possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of each embodiment with other configurations.

[0128] Furthermore, the above-mentioned components, functions, processing units, etc. may be realized in part or in whole by hardware, for example, by designing them as integrated circuits. Furthermore, the above-mentioned components, functions, etc. may be realized in software by a processor interpreting and executing a program that realizes each function. Information such as the programs, tables, and files that realize each function can be stored in memory, a storage device such as a hard disk or SSD, or a storage medium such as an IC card or SD card.

[0129] In addition, the control lines and information lines shown are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and do not necessarily show all the control lines and information lines in the product. In reality, it can be assumed that almost all components are interconnected. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 10. Ecosystem Function Network Attribution Pricing System 11 Land use information 12 Environmental information 13 Conservation Information 21 Network structure estimation unit 22 Maintenance Information Integration Department 23 Imputed Price Calculation Section 24 Maintenance effect display section 25 Output section 321 Arithmetic equipment 322 Main storage 323 Auxiliary storage 324 Input Device 325 Output Device 327 Network Interface

Claims

1. An environmental assessment system, comprising: A computing device; a storage device, The storage device includes: primary data on the ecosystem of the area under conservation; second data on land use in the conservation area; and third data relating to a conservation scenario in the conservation target area; The computing device extracting a network structure in which areas having natural capital in the conservation target area are nodes based on the second data; estimating an ecosystem function network that represents the types of ecosystem functions of the nodes and the interactions between the nodes as a function of time based on the first data, the third data, and the network structure; calculating an economic value of a change in ecosystem function of the node according to a conservation scenario for the node based on the ecosystem function network and a budget constraint for the conservation scenario for the node calculated from the third data; An environmental assessment system that outputs the economic value.

2. The environmental evaluation system according to claim 1, An environmental evaluation system, wherein the function of interaction between the nodes over time is a function estimated from a model described by elements of dissipation and diffusion of the ecosystem functions of the nodes.

3. The environmental evaluation system according to claim 2, An environmental assessment system in which the model is based on a reaction-diffusion equation, in which the ecosystem functions of the node are described by the elements of dissipation and diffusion.

4. The environmental evaluation system according to claim 1, The computing device calculates the economic value using a utility function set for each node; An environmental evaluation system, wherein the utility function is a function of time that includes an increase in the economy of each node and an increase in the environmental conservation effect.

5. The environmental evaluation system according to claim 4, The computing device is an environmental assessment system that calculates the economic value that maximizes the utility function using a function described based on the budget constraint, the dissipation of ecosystem functions on the nodes of the ecosystem function network, and the diffusion of ecosystem functions due to interactions between the nodes as constraints.

6. The environmental evaluation system according to claim 4, The computing device is an environmental evaluation system that uses a function described based on the budget constraint, the dissipation of ecosystem functions on nodes in the ecosystem function network, and the diffusion of ecosystem functions due to interactions between nodes as constraints, and calculates the attributable price of each node that maximizes the utility function.

7. The environmental evaluation system according to claim 1, The computing device calculates the economic value using a utility function; An environmental evaluation system, wherein the utility function is a function over time that includes an increase in the economy of the entire conservation target area and an increase in the environmental conservation effect.

8. The environmental evaluation system according to claim 1, the computing device displays evaluation information including the economic value on a display device; An environmental assessment system, wherein the assessment information includes a map of the conservation area, an ecosystem function network of the conservation area, and a change in economic value of the entire conservation area under the conservation scenario.

9. A method for a system to evaluate environmental conservation scenarios, comprising: The system comprises: primary data on the ecosystem of the area under conservation; second data on land use in the conservation area; and third data relating to a conservation scenario in the conservation target area; The method further comprises the steps of: extracting a network structure in which areas having natural capital in the conservation target area are nodes based on the second data; estimating an ecosystem function network that represents the types of ecosystem functions of the nodes and the interactions between the nodes as a function of time based on the first data, the third data, and the network structure; calculating an economic value of a change in ecosystem function of the node according to a conservation scenario for the node based on the ecosystem function network and a budget constraint for the conservation scenario for the node calculated from the third data; outputting the economic value.

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