Eco-Eco, Ethno-Ecology, and Int. Assessment seminar series - "Payments for biodiversity conservation"

Sébastien Costedoat (ICTA, UAB) Wed. Feb 12th. from 12h30 to 14h in Room C3B/013 in the Ciencies Building Abstract: In this article, we assess the effectiveness of a Mexican federal program of Payment for Biodiversity Conservation on avoided deforestation. Participants are rural communities receiving a five-year payment in exchange of guaranteeing better forest management practices. The area of study is composed of a regional cluster corresponding to two municipalities of the State of Chiapas, one of the more deforested of Mexico. The analysis is based on a counterfactual analysis that compare PES participants to a control group defined according to observable characteristics (socio-economic and accessibility). We develop land use maps from SPOT 5 satellite images in order to measure losses of forest at community and parcel levels, during the implementation of PES contracts. We found that deforestation is occurring within PES polygons but that on average the program is effective in terms of avoided deforestation. Our analysis concludes highlighting how impact assessment techniques can enhance the theory of change used by PES program officials. Bio Sébastien holds a BSc and Msc in Development Economics from CERDI-Université d'Auvergne Clermont1 (France).During his master's thesis, he has conducted fieldwork in Costa Rica on the impacts of of various programs of Payment for Ecosystem Services. He is currently a PhD candidate at ICTA and his dissertation will focus on evaluating the effectiveness, the equity and the governance of Payments for Biodiversity Conservation in the State of Chiapas, Mexico.