Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Latin America: Analysing the performance of 40 case studies

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Latin America: Analysing the performance of 40 case studies

Background

Payment of Ecosystem Services (PES), which encourages landowners improve land management through market incentives, has been implemented around the world since the 1990s. This high investment requires an analysis of PES schemes and their outcomes.

Goals & Methods

The goal of the paper is to inform policy and provide decisions makers with insights on PES in order to aid in future design and ensure the success of initiatives. To do this, the authors review 40 cases of PES throughout Latin America based on a consistent set of criteria.

Conclusions & Takeaways

Authors found that PES schemes that were successful shared many characteristics. They are confident that these findings will help promote the effectiveness of future initiatives. 

 

Reference: 

Grima N, Singh SJ, Smetschka B, Ringhofer L. Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) in Latin America: Analysing the performance of 40 case studies. Ecosystem Services. 2016;17:24–32. doi:10.1016/j.ecoser.2015.11.010.

Affiliation: 

  • Institute of Social Ecology Vienna, Alpen-Adria University, Vienna, Austria
  • University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada