Search Results (136)

Payments for Watershed services (PWSs) have been emerging as a critical tool for environmental governance in watershed, yet their comparative effectiveness across implementation models has remained poorly understood. Based on a comparative analysis of Eco-Compensation (EC) and Payments for Ecosystem Services (PESs) frameworks, examining both theoretical foundations and implementation practices, this study aims to quantitatively assess and compare the effectiveness of two dominant PWSs models—the EC-like model (Phase I: October 2008–April 2017) and the PESs-like model (Phase II: 2017–December 2021). Using the Liaohe River in China as a case study, utilizing ecosystem service value (ESV) as an indicator and employing the corrected unit-value transfer method, we compare the effectiveness of different PWSs models from October 2008 to December 2021. The results reveal the following: (1) Policy Efficiency: The PESs-like model demonstrated significantly greater effectiveness than the EC-like model, with annual average increases in ESV of 3.23 billion CNY (491 million USD) and 1.79 billion CNY (272 million USD). (2) Functional Drivers: Water regulation (45.1% of total ESV growth) and climate regulation (24.3%) were dominant services, with PESs-like interventions enhancing multifunctionality. (3) Stakeholder Impact: In the PESs-like model, the cities implementing inter-county direct payment showed higher growth efficiency than those without it. The operational efficiency of PWSs increases with the number of participating stakeholders, which explains why the PESs-like model demonstrates higher effectiveness than the EC-like model. Our findings offer empirical evidence and actionable policy implications for designing effective PWSs models across global watershed ecosystems. Full article

Drylands cover approximately 41% of Earth’s land surface, supporting about 500 million people and 45% of global agriculture. Groundwater is essential in drylands and is crucial for maintaining ecosystem services and offering numerous benefits. This article, for the first time, analyses and valuates the hydrological ecosystem services (HESs) provided by groundwater in a region of the Colorado River Delta in Mexico, an area with uncertain economic impact due to water scarcity. The main water sources are the Colorado River and groundwater from the Mexicali and San Luis Rio Colorado valley aquifers, both of which are overexploited. Valuation techniques include surrogate and simulated market methods for agricultural, industrial, urban, and domestic uses, the shadow project approach for water conservation and purification cost avoidance, and the contingent valuation method for recreation. Data from 2013 to 2015 and 2020 were used as they are the most reliable sources available. The annual value of HESs provided by groundwater was USD 883,520 million, with water conservation being a key factor. The analyzed groundwater uses reflect differences in efficiency and economic value, providing key information for decisions on governance, allocation, conservation, and revaluation of water resources. These results suggest reorienting crops, establishing differentiated rates, and promoting payment for environmental services programs. Full article

Climate change-induced floods and droughts pose significant threats to rice farm development in Indonesia, particularly in regions reliant on pump-based irrigation systems. The urgency of this study lies in the increasing vulnerability of rice production to extreme weather events, necessitating institutional adaptations to enhance irrigation sustainability and financial risk sharing. This study examines the role of irrigation institutions in supporting sustainable rice farming in Wajo District, Indonesia. Using a case study approach, qualitative data were collected from four irrigation service provider (ISP) units across three subdistricts through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The analysis focuses on institutional mechanisms, including irrigation payment structures, input credit systems, and cost-sharing arrangements. The findings reveal that institutional frameworks are crucial in mitigating financial risks by promoting adaptive payment schemes and equitable cost-sharing mechanisms. Farmers’ access to critical agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and pesticides, is enhanced through collaborative financing models, ensuring resilience against climate-induced production risks. However, variations in institutional support led to disparities in irrigation fees, credit access, and financial sustainability across study sites. This study underscores the need for risk-based irrigation pricing models and public–private partnerships to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as water storage facilities and sustainable irrigation systems. In conclusion, it is important to remember that each of us, including agricultural policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders, plays a crucial role in implementing these solutions. By strengthening institutional governance, promoting flexible financial mechanisms, and integrating climate-adaptive pricing models, we can all contribute to enhancing the long-term sustainability of rice farming in Indonesia. Full article

Establishing a standard model for water resource ecological compensation, based on water quantity and quality, is one of the current research hotspots in the field of ecological economy. This paper calculates the water footprint from 2011 to 2021, constructs an inter-provincial water resource ecological compensation model in the Yangtze River Basin, and discusses the horizontal compensation of water resource ecology in the Yangtze River Basin. Firstly, the water footprint method and the water footprint ecological load index are used to evaluate and analyze the overall water resource utilization in the basin and in various administrative regions within the basin; secondly, the decoupling analysis method is used to study the coordinated relationship between water resource utilization and economic development among different administrative regions; finally, the identity of the compensation subject and object are determined on the basis of the calculation of ecological surplus and deficit of water resources in each administrative region, and the compensation standards are quantitatively calculated. The results indicate the following: (1) Over the 11 years, the overall water footprint of the Yangtze River Basin and its provinces has shown a growth trend, with significant differences in the quantity of water footprints among different administrative regions, and the average water footprint exhibits a decreasing distribution from “midstream—downstream—upstream”. There are significant differences in the water footprint ecological load index among provinces, with the load index showing a trend of being higher in the east and lower in the west. (2) From the perspective of the decoupling index, there has been no state of dis-coordination in the Yangtze River Basin overall over the 11 years, with 2016, 2018, and 2019 being in a high-quality coordinated state, while the other years were in a primary coordinated state. (3) In terms of horizontal payment for ecological compensation, Tibet, Yunnan, and Qinghai have consistently been regions receiving ecological compensation, while Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, and Chongqing have been determined as compensation subjects required to make payments over the years. Full article

Payments for ecosystem (or environmental) services (PES) encourage land users to manage their land in ways that deliver environmental benefits. This study aimed to assess the water quality in a rural property located in the Protection and Recovery of Watersheds of Campinas, which has been participating in the payment for ecosystem services program since 2018. More specifically, seven points of interest regarding the physicochemical indicators of the water were raised, which were subjected to descriptive statistical and variance analysis. The results revealed significant spatio-temporal variability in the monitored water quality indicators for dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, pH, total phosphorus, and total nitrogen. More significant fluctuations were observed in the spatial location of the sampling points for turbidity, temperature, and electrical conductivity. However, the greatest variability depends on the time of year when the samples were collected. Full article

This research aimed to use the cause-and-effect diagram (model) as a method to describe the 15 main factors (for example, awareness, knowledge and motivation of farmers, farmers income, institutional and financial support, condition of the natural environment, healthiness of the population, etc.) leading to soil acidification, their impact on soil health and ecosystem functions, and how soil liming serves as a remedial measure. The cause-and-effect model was developed based on questionnaire studies as a part of the project ‘Opportunities and Barriers to the Use of Soil Liming for Improving the Economic Efficiency of Agricultural Production and Reducing Eutrophication of Surface Waters’ in 2022–2023. The results showed that the effects of soil acidification and liming as well as their interrelationships are multifaceted and affect agricultural production economics, agricultural land and crop prices, environmental health and biodiversity, as well as soil productivity and food security. The causes of this situation can be attributed to social, technological–logistical–technical, and economic factors. To change the existing situation, it is necessary to take effective steps to motivate farmers to lime their soils. The most effective would be (1) offering training courses for farmers to discuss the benefits that a farmer can achieve by maintaining optimum soil pH levels while growing a specific crop species; (2) implementing liming payment programs that will be more attractive and motivating from the farmers’ perspective; and (3) linking agri-environmental payments to the necessity of systematic testing of soil pH levels and maintaining optimal pH levels under specific crops species. Full article

Forest ecosystem services are critical for maintaining ecological balance and supporting human well-being from different perspectives. However, rapid land use changes driven by agricultural expansion, urbanization, and industrial activities have significantly altered forest ecosystems, degrading the services they provide. We here conduct an ecosystem service assessment through biophysical and economic estimates for a multipurpose Andean water sub-basin in western Colombia. We compare a business as usual (BAU) with a forest nature-based solution (NbS) scenario focused on forest landscape restoration. The research employed participatory methods for the NbS selection and economic valuation techniques to evaluate water flow regulation, water provisioning, water purification, and food provisioning services. Results show that the NbS scenario yielded a net positive economic impact across most evaluated ecosystem services, with notable trade-offs. Specifically, the NbS scenario increased water retention by 2.9% compared to BAU. Water flow regulation demonstrated the most substantial economic benefit, increasing by EUR 11.39 million/year in the NbS scenario. On the other hand, the food provisioning service presented a reduction of EUR 3.2 million/year in the NbS scenario. These findings highlight the potential of forest-based NbS to address the Water–Energy–Food–Ecosystem (WEFE) nexus challenges. The study’s outcomes provide valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners, supporting the development of Payment for Ecosystem Services schemes and integrating ecosystem service valuation into land use planning and decision-making processes. Full article

Since ancient times, people have used salt for cooking and preserving food, its healing benefits, and as a means of payment. Therefore, the first settlements were located near water, food, and preferably salt, as prerequisites to further social and economic development. Naturally, the social development, the healing properties of salt, and the beauty of some salt landscapes have led to the development of tourism as an essential asset for rural communities. This paper aims to investigate the research focusing on the use of salt resources in tourism and to see if the exploitation of salt landscapes is an actual research topic linked to rural development. The study’s primary objectives are to investigate the scientific output in the tourism field, the main drivers in scientific production, and any connection between the importance of salt landscapes in tourism and sustainable rural development. The article represents a bibliometric analysis of 437 scientific articles published in prestigious journals indexed in the Web of Science until November 2023. The results emphasised a need for more research on using salt landscapes and resources in tourism as a central topic, as most identified studies focus on proposing models for the sustainable development of former salt mines and ecosystem restoration using tourism activity. Since many salt mining operations have been closed and the inhabitants of the neighbouring rural localities have been left without the related income, the results of this research are helpful for specialists in the field and for decision-makers to have a clear view of the development trends of areas rich in salt resources for tourism purposes. Full article

Land degradation is a critical issue in Ethiopia, exacerbating food insecurity by reducing agricultural productivity. Soil and water conservation (SWC) practices are essential to control erosion and increase food production. However, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluations on the impact of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) on SWC practices. This study aimed to assess the contribution of the PSNP to SWC in the Amhara Sayint Woreda. The researchers used a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data. Multistage sampling was used to select households, and data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, focus groups, and observations. The study provided empirical evidence that the PSNP has a positive impact on SWC practices. Key factors influencing SWC participation include age, family size, education, plot size, livestock ownership, credit service, and access to extension services. The results suggest that the PSNP should improve payment for public work participants implementing SWC, undertake institutional reform, and increase public awareness of the benefits of SWC in reversing land degradation and improving food security. This study uniquely contributes to the understanding of how the PSNP influences the varying degrees of participation in SWC practices, filling a critical research gap. The findings can inform policymakers and program managers to enhance the PSNP’s effectiveness in promoting sustainable land management and food security in Ethiopia. Full article

Ongoing investments in irrigation technologies highlight the need to accurately estimate the longevity and magnitude of water savings at the watershed level to avoid the paradox of irrigation efficiency. This paradox arises when irrigation pumping exceeds crop water demand, leading to excess water that is not recovered by the watershed. Comprehensive water accounting from farm to watershed scales is challenging due to spatial variability and inadequate socio-hydrological data. We hypothesize that water savings are short term, as prior studies show rapid recharge responses to surface changes. Precise estimation of these time scales and water savings can aid water managers making decisions. In this study, we examined water savings at three 65-hectare sites in Nebraska with diverse soil textures, management practices, and groundwater depths. Surface geophysics effectively identified in-field variability in soil water content and water flux. A one-dimensional model showed an average 80% agreement with chloride mass balance estimates of deep drainage. Our findings indicate that groundwater response times are short and water savings are modest (1–3 years; 50–900 mm over 10 years) following a 120 mm/year reduction in pumping. However, sandy soils with shallow groundwater show minimal potential for water savings, suggesting limited effectiveness of irrigation efficiency programs in such regions. Full article

The conservation of biodiversity and forest ecosystems from the perspective of increasingly pronounced climate changes represents a priority objective for present and future society. In recent decades, alongside traditional conservation methods, innovative tools such as PES (Payment for Ecosystem Services) have been introduced to support biodiversity conservation. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of financial mechanisms for forest ecosystem conservation from the perspective of voluntary adoption by forest owners of additional conservation measures beyond those required by national environmental legislation. Through the conceptual literature review, 6069 articles were analyzed, which described the general context of the application of PES, the aims and objectives related to climate and environmental issues, the beneficiaries, as well as the legislative conditions, and the research direction in the last 7 years. The study aims to provide relevant information regarding the viability and potential impact of PES on achieving the goal of forest ecosystem conservation in Romania, during the period 2017–2023. We identified 904 cases involving 887 entities that have committed to the program for the voluntary adoption of additional measures. It has been stated that a PES approach can lead to increased efficiency in conservation actions. Following the temporal analysis of the number of applications, it was observed that in the first sessions there was a low number of applications, which means very high reluctance of the potential beneficiaries of PES, but once the first program was implemented, their interest increased. The study found a strong correlation between payments and the areas and number of plots under commitment, while there was a less strong correlation with the geographical region. Based on the data obtained, the potential impact of PES in Romania was evaluated at the social level, quantified in the number of applications submitted, and at the economic level, with the amount of money paid to applicants. The environmental impact was measured by analyzing the areas included in the subsidy mechanism and identifying the minimum 20% of the eligible areas, totally exempt from forestry interventions, which produce effects on forests, soil, water and environment. Full article

Existing literature presents multiple perspectives on quality within organizational contexts. Although these perspectives may differ, they universally emphasize the importance of meeting customer expectations regarding products/services. Consequently, organizations are dedicated to addressing customer requirements to foster elevated satisfaction levels. This study aims to assess customer satisfaction in water laboratories and develop a predictive model using artificial neural networks to improve service quality. A methodology was devised, integrating principles from thermodynamics with logic programming for knowledge representation and reasoning. Data were collected from 412 participants of both genders, aged 22 to 79 years old, using a questionnaire covering six specific areas, i.e., customer service, quality of service provided, support documentation, technical support, billing and payment, and online services and tools. While customer opinions were largely positive, the study identified areas for improvement, including clarity and effectiveness in responses to inquiries, reliability of results, clarity of analysis reports, usefulness of test interpretation guidelines, inclusion of legal information, billing options, and online services. Differences in satisfaction were noted based on socio-demographic factors such as age and academic qualifications. The findings offer a framework (an ANN-based model) for future evaluations and improvements in services, highlighting the importance of addressing specific customer needs to enhance satisfaction. Full article

China has been facing a contradiction between its water supply and demand for a long time, and it is urgent that it builds a “water-saving society”. Previous research on water pricing mainly focused on the policy level, only considering the supply and demand sides and ignoring the participation of local governments. Due to the inconsistent approval mechanisms, different times of cost formation, and lack of a scientific pricing relationship between multiple water sources and multiple users, with the current water pricing in China, it is difficult to solve the complex problem of water resource allocation. This study aimed to promote the qualitative supply of water and the reuse of reclaimed water, achieve a high-quality and low-cost water supply, and explore the role of water-pricing mechanisms in the regulation of multi-source water supply configurations. The mechanism of regulation is constructed for the complex, multi-source, multi-user water resource system, and a three-party game model is established among local governments, water supply enterprises, and water users. A reasonable pricing system with a rational price relationship is obtained, and Pinghu City in Zhejiang Province is taken as the research area. The prices of the external water supply to residential users, non-resident users, and special users are 4.48 CNY/m³, 6.28 CNY/m³, and 7.12 CNY/m³. The external supply prices for resident users, non-resident users, and special users are 3.81 CNY/m³, 5.25 CNY/m³, and 6.05 CNY/m³. The external supply price for non-resident users is 2.62 CNY/m³ for reclaimed water. The results of the study showed that when the government’s contribution did not exceed the amount that it would have been without the inclusion of recycled water and the annual payment of water users did not exceed their ability to pay, the income of water suppliers increased by 69%. The three balanced objectives of rational water resource configuration by the local government, reasonable profit for the water supply enterprise, and reasonable payment by water users have been achieved. This study provides theoretical and methodological support for the implementation of water pricing for multi-source and multi-user water supplies in water-scarce areas. Full article

This study addresses the financial sustainability challenge of integrated watershed management (IWM) in regions with inadequate water service tariffs. A novel water service tariff model is proposed, incorporating supply costs, water loss reduction investments, and IWM expenses informed by user perceptions. The model is applied to an intermediate Andean city in southern Ecuador, where the current tariff impedes the financial viability of the water utility, reflecting a regional trend. The results indicate a necessary tariff increase exceeding 100% to cover the costs and support IWM. The economic value of watershed environmental services (WES) were estimated at USD 1,505,530.64 per year. This value translates to an average water consumption of 20 m³/user/month, equivalent to a WES of USD 2.60 per month. Despite the users’ willingness to pay falling below the estimated economic value of WES, there is a clear need for implementing incentive programs to promote water conservation and policy adjustments that favor the financial sustainability of water supply companies in developing countries. Full article

We used social network analysis (SNA) to identify the types of water-related conflicts between the users and members of the institutional arena of the Rio Mayo Irrigation District (RMID) within the ancestral territory of the Yoreme Mayo indigenous group in Sonora, northeastern Mexico. We combined ethnography with an analysis and visualization of bimodal networks that consisted of 118 users and their connections to the institutional arena’s 30 identified social actors who influence water management. Using a clustering algorithm, we identified four types of conflicts: (1) disputes between small- and large-scale farmers over (i) irrigation water and (ii) payments for water rights and land rental; (2) the struggle by large-scale farmers against the upper level of the water hierarchy, to obtain more water; (3) struggles by rural indigenous women against water providers, to conserve indigenous vernacular systems of managing water for domestic use; and (4) a “conflict” that turned out to be merely a structural remnant of the algorithm. We conclude that land- and water-grabbing in the RMID mainly affect indigenous small-scale farmers and that the combination of SNA and a clustering algorithm can identify the types of natural resource-related conflicts that might go undetected by other methodologies. However, SNA should in some cases be accompanied by a qualitative methodology. Full article