Community Perceptions of a Payment for Ecosystem Services Project in Southwest Madagascar: A Preliminary Study

Cicelin Rakotomahazo, Jacqueline Razanoelisoa, Nirinarisoa Lantoasinoro Ranivoarivelo, Gildas Georges Boleslas Todinanahary, Eulalie Ranaivoson, Mara Edouard Remanevy, Lalao Aigrette Ravaoarinorotsihoarana and Thierry Lavitra
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Cicelin Rakotomahazo: Institut Halieutiques et de Science Marines (IH.SM), Université de Toliara, BP141—Route du Port, Avenue de France, Toliara 601, Madagascar
Jacqueline Razanoelisoa: Institut Halieutiques et de Science Marines (IH.SM), Université de Toliara, BP141—Route du Port, Avenue de France, Toliara 601, Madagascar
Nirinarisoa Lantoasinoro Ranivoarivelo: Institut Halieutiques et de Science Marines (IH.SM), Université de Toliara, BP141—Route du Port, Avenue de France, Toliara 601, Madagascar
Gildas Georges Boleslas Todinanahary: Institut Halieutiques et de Science Marines (IH.SM), Université de Toliara, BP141—Route du Port, Avenue de France, Toliara 601, Madagascar
Eulalie Ranaivoson: Institut Halieutiques et de Science Marines (IH.SM), Université de Toliara, BP141—Route du Port, Avenue de France, Toliara 601, Madagascar
Mara Edouard Remanevy: Institut Halieutiques et de Science Marines (IH.SM), Université de Toliara, BP141—Route du Port, Avenue de France, Toliara 601, Madagascar
Lalao Aigrette Ravaoarinorotsihoarana: Blue Ventures Conservation, Villa Huguette, Lot II U 86, Cité Planton, Ampahibe, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
Thierry Lavitra: Institut Halieutiques et de Science Marines (IH.SM), Université de Toliara, BP141—Route du Port, Avenue de France, Toliara 601, Madagascar

Land, 2021, vol. 10, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: Despite the popularity of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes as a new paradigm to enhance conservation of natural resources, evidence of their benefits to people and nature is often illustrated from desk-based reviews, but rarely investigated from the local sites where they have been implemented. We investigated local perceptions of a PES scheme implemented in the Baie des Assassin’s mangroves of southwest Madagascar with particular focus on its perceived future effects. To meet our goal, we first collated socioeconomic and mangrove ecological information through extensive literature research, and key informant interviews with 35 peoples within the 10 villages surrounding the bay to be used as reference conditions. Following this, a workshop with 32 participants from local communities was conducted, using participatory scenario planning to predict the effects of the PES project, and to identify concerns surrounding its implementation. Local communities perceived the PES scheme as a potentially valuable approach for the sustainable management of their mangroves, and perceived that it would address major socioeconomic issues and mangrove management problems in the bay as a result of the carbon offsetting from their mangroves. We conclude that to achieve acceptance and good governance of a PES project by local communities, needs and concerns surrounding the implementation of the PES project need be addressed.

Keywords: mangroves; biodiversity; ecosystem services; scenario planning; Baie des Assassins (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:10:y:2021:i:6:p:597-:d:569067

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