Determining the ecological compensation standards based on willingness to accept (WTA) for intensive agricultural production areas: A case in China

Ecological compensation is an effective way to encourage farmers to use minimal chemical fertilizers by paying for their losses when agricultural planting methods change. In this research, we conducted field surveys and created a conceptual framework to determine the compensation standard based on farmers' willingness to accept (WTA) and ecosystem service values in a rotational double cropping area of winter wheat–summer maize, Huantai County, China. The results showed that the farmers’ average WTA on the chemical fertilizer reduction application fluctuates within a range of 250.00–7740.00 CNY/hm2. The limiting compensation standards range from 362.74 to 4823.43 CNY/hm2 and the ceiling standard is from 367.29 to 4851.83 CNY/hm2 by reducing chemical fertilizer application from 5% to 95%. Huantai County has a potential of 15%–35% for chemical fertilizer reduction, and the compensation standard is the lowest (362.74 CNY/hm2) when 25% of the current chemical fertilizer usage is reduced. Our research provided a valid approach to determining ecological compensation standards toward the aims of efficiency and sustainability for protecting farmland ecology and highlighting the critical ecosystem service changes caused by the farmland fertilizer reduction program in China. •A conceptual framework was developed to determine ecological compensation standards.•Farmers' willingness to accept compensation exceeded the simulated standards.•Compensation standards had a significant impact on farmers' attitudes and cooperation.•Approximately 21% of farmers expressed interest in receiving technical compensation.