Assessment of the difference in ecosystem services between ecologically and conventionally managed ponds: An empirical study from the South Bohemia region, Czech Republic

The aim ofthis article istodemonstrate the difference inthe production ofecosystem services depending onthe management method using aselected sample offishponds from the South Bohemian region ofthe Czech Republic and subsequently monetarily toassess this difference. Using 16 fishponds over a10-year period, the research evaluates key services such asbiodiversity conservation, water purification, and fish production, employing the opportunity cost offoregone profits methodology. The results reveal that ecologically managed fishponds provide enhanced ecosystem services atafinancial trade-off, with anaverage annual profit difference ofEUR 142 per hectare compared toconventional management. This trade-off translates toapresent value ofEUR1288 per hectare over a decade, reflecting the additional societal value of ecosystem services from ecological management. The findings underscore the economic and ecological challenges faced by stakeholders, particularly fish farmers, in balancing conservation goals with economic viability.