Abstract:
An increase in the implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) is currently expected in Colombia -a biocultural diverse country with deep inequalities. This research identifies factors that influenced the implementation of one of the first PES pilots developed in Colombia during 2009-2014: the Cali river watershed PES program. We used the social-ecological systems approach (SES), which has not yet widely used to analyze PES, as the analytical framework. Fifteen interviews were applied to experts and PES participants and secondary information related to the PES program was also reviewed. Through a content analysis, key factors that positively influenced PES implementation were identified: quality and importance of hydrological services; participation and leadership of non-governmental and community-based organizations; and the program convergence with local pro-environmental worldviews and values. Some of the factors identified that played a negative influence include: conflicts between community actors, national rules associated with land tenure, and the high opportunity costs that small land-holders face. The SSE framework contributes to analyzing multiple emergent results (ecological, social, economic and political) from PES development, which frequently are overlooked in PES designs focused on technical aspects.
Keywords:
payments for ecosystem services; conflicts; pro-environmental behavior; institutional design; environmental management instruments; socio-ecological systems
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