Abstract This paper investigates the impacts from natural gas development, hunting, and cattle grazing on a typical Western U.S. rangeland ecosystem using a general equilibrium model that describes ecosystem dynamics. The study area is located in the region surrounding the Atlantic Rim Natural Gas project in southern-central Wyoming and analyzes the population densities of various species, net hunting benefits, cattle profits, and existence value of sage grouse. The general equilibrium model analyzes the responses of six animal species, two plant species, and accounts for differences in prey scarcity inside and outside the disturbed areas around the wells. The differences in scarcity arise from sage grouse, mule deer, and elk experiencing stress in the disturbed areas and the changes in foraging behavior from the rest of the species. The simulations highlight the advantage of a general equilibrium ecosystem model because it is capable of capturing the complex changes that occur between plant and animal species when natural gas development reduces the habitat of vulnerable species. For the study area, the present-value loss in ecosystem services is $58.40 million (or $2,796 per ha), but could vary between -$0.12 and $81.67 million depending on the size of the disturbed area and coordination of government agencies.

中文翻译：

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牧场生态系统中牛、狩猎和天然气开发的影响

摘要 本文使用描述生态系统动态的一般均衡模型研究了天然气开发、狩猎和放牧对典型的美国西部牧场生态系统的影响。研究区位于怀俄明州中南部大西洋沿岸天然气项目周边地区，分析了各种物种的种群密度、净狩猎收益、牛利润和鼠尾草的存在价值。一般均衡模型分析了六种动物、两种植物的反应，并解释了井周围扰动区域内外的猎物稀缺性差异。稀缺性的差异源于鼠尾草、骡鹿和麋鹿在受干扰地区承受压力以及其他物种觅食行为的变化。模拟突出了一般平衡生态系统模型的优势，因为当天然气开发减少了脆弱物种的栖息地时，它能够捕捉植物和动物物种之间发生的复杂变化。对于研究区域，生态系统服务的现值损失为 5840 万美元（或每公顷 2796 美元），但可能在 - 0.12 美元到 8167 万美元之间变化，具体取决于受干扰区域的大小和政府机构的协调。