Integrated approach towards payment for forest ecosystem services schemes

Abstract

Integrated approach towards payment for forest ecosystem services schemes.

The development of a payment for ecosystem services scheme must be the result of a continuous and adaptive process. In this article the authors propose a methodology for an integrated approach towards payment for forest ecosystem services schemes. The experience of the payment for ecosystem services scheme in Costa Rica as well as the lessons learnt in other Latin-American countries suggest the importance of considering the diagnostic and definition of objectives, the study of enabling conditions, the technical design of charging and payment as well as the implementation and continuous monitoring.