Search

Payment for ecosystem services (PES) is an environmental policy looking to improve ecosystem conservation and well-being. Assets have been used to evaluate socioeconomic outcomes of the program; however, the allocation of PES at a household level and its explaining variables have not been addressed. Thus, the aim of this article is to study the allocation of PES in nondurable and durable goods and the determinants of this household decision. Results from the La Antigua watershed located in Mexico indicate that the PES program is primarily used in durable goods, mainly on health, house infrastructure, agricultural inputs, and reforestation. Econometric models show that this allocation to one or several assets depends on the average age of the household head, on participation in a community organization, and on the average income. In contrast, government transfers are not significant. Based on this, policy recommendations are made related to the program's socioeconomic outcomes and alignment with other conditional cash transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexico's Federal Programme of Actions for the Conservation of the Blue Whale (PACE) ( Balaenoptera musculus ) prioritizes whale watching (WW) research in the Loreto Bay National Park due to the increase of this activity. The aim of this study was to investigate whether whale watchers’ socioeconomic characteristics, motivations, attitudes towards whale conservation, and boat crowding influence the potential demand for WW for both first visits and the willingness to return to Loreto Bay National Park. A total of 143 structured surveys were conducted during the 2014 winter season after WW boats had returned to port. Logit econometric models in STATA were used in this analysis. The results show that the first WW experience is determined significantly by gender, nationality, whether hotel activities are a motivation for travelling, and knowledge about whales. The willingness to return depends on gender, nationality, sun and beach beauty, plans for WW before leaving home, and attitudes towards whale conservation. The results show that the reported crowding of whale mothers and calves and the willingness to accept more boats is negatively related to the willingness to return. Management recommendations are to maintain the current legislation, continue with passive observation and optimize the number of trips and tourists per boat. Differences in the demand determinants and in the type of tourists for first and repeat visitors suggest the possibility of creating different market segments. A national programme for WW that considers WW diversity and conservation initiatives would enhance sustainable wildlife tourism as part of marine policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cuadernos de Desarrollo Rural is the property of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)