Assessing the Feasibility and Socioecological Benefits of Climate-Smart Practices at the Watershed Scale

Debora Lithgow (), Juan José Von Thaden, Daniel A. Revollo-Fernández, María del Pilar Salazar-Vargas and Aram Rodríguez de los Santos
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Debora Lithgow: Red de Ambiente y Sustentabilidad, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Carretera Antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, Xalapa 91073, Mexico
Juan José Von Thaden: Laboratorio de Planeación Ambiental, Departamento El Hombre y su Ambiente, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Xochimilco, Calzada del Hueso 1100, Coyoacan, Mexico City 04960, Mexico
Daniel A. Revollo-Fernández: Área Crecimiento y Medio Ambiente, Departamento de Economía, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana-Azcapotzalco/Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología, San Pablo Xalpa 180, Azcapotzalco, Mexico City 02128, Mexico
María del Pilar Salazar-Vargas: Posgrado en Ciencias de la Sostenibilidad, Unidad de Posgrado, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacan, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Aram Rodríguez de los Santos: Dirección de Economía Ambiental y de Recursos Naturales, Instituto Nacional de Ecología y Cambio Climático, Picacho-Ajusco 4219, Tlalpan, Mexico City 14210, Mexico

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: Resource allocation in climate-smart productive practices depends on the explicit recognition and accountability of the expected costs and benefits in socioeconomic and ecological terms. This study assessed the private and social costs and benefits of 10 practices compatible with the transition to sustainable agricultural practices under an integrated landscape management (ILM) approach. First, the financial and economic viability of the alternatives was evaluated with a cost-benefit analysis. Then, the potential contribution of these practices in terms of carbon sequestration and landscape connectivity was determined in an ILM scenario where at least three practices (live fences, isolated trees in pastures, and riparian vegetation recovery) could be implemented and assessed at the watershed scale. These practices were evaluated in three Mexican pilot watersheds with contrasting biophysical and sociocultural contexts but with high importance in biodiversity conservation and cattle production. The results showed that most climate-smart practices are viable in the medium and long term from a private standpoint. However, more significant benefits are achievable over a shorter period when social co-benefits are included. The results could contribute to decision-making in terms of public policy, providing evidence of the financial and economic feasibility of the analyzed climate-smart practices that also have ecological benefits. In this sense, decision-makers who promote such practices have more arguments to seek funding for implementation.

Keywords: climate-smart practices; ecosystem services; economic valuation; cost-benefit analysis; landscape connectivity; carbon storage and sequestration (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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