Natural capital is defined as the indispensable resources
and benefits, provided by the ecosystem, which are essential for human survival
and economic activity. Examples are, renewable resources such as: vegetation,
air, wind and agricultural crops and nonrenewable resources like fossil fuels
and natural gas. Several methods to protect natural capital include: forest
management, water and ocean governance, chemical and waste management and
desertification, just to name a few. Another method, although highly
controversial, are payments for environmental services or PES (Alix-Garcia et
al. 2018). PES are financial incentives used worldwide to help conserve and
protect natural resources. Currently, Mexico, Costa Rica, China, Ecuador, Peru,
Brazil, Vietnam and the United States offer PES programs. A study by Alix-Garcia
et al. (2018) examined social capital impacts in Mexico as well as land cover
management activities such as: promoting soil conservation, patrolling for
illegal activity, building fire breaks and controlling pests. Below are results
to this study.
Cohorts in 2011–2012(figure B on left) pledge specific land
cover management goals, but could use all funds flexibly and cohorts in
2012-2013 (on right) had to spend 30–40% of funds specifically on land
management. Results show that conservation payments did not reduce days spent
in other community work. The payment incentives increased the number of days
per year that each household spent on these activities by 50% (Alix-Garcia et
al. 2018). The findings of this study demonstrate that compensating communities
for their efforts are important for global conservation efforts.
Reference
Alix-Garcia, J.M., K.R. E. Sims, V. H. Orozco-Olverac, L. E.
Costicac, J.D. F. Medinad and S. R. Monroyd. 2018. Payments for environmental
services supported social capital while increasing land management. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of
America. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1720873115
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