Payments for ecosystem services using product bundles to prevent deforestation in tropical montane cloud forests

Tropical mountain cloud forests (TMCFs) represent endangered ecosystems. Although TMCFs account only for 1.4 % of the world tropical forest area, they harbor 50 % of the known neotropical higher plant species and high levels of endemism. They deliver to societies outstanding ecosystem services (ES) such as: increased water retention and quality, soil carbon sequestration and biodiversity richness. However, the main threat faced by these ecosystems is land use change to agriculture. Despite the fact that Costa Rica has been a leading country in the implementation of payment for ecosystem services schemes (PES), the effects of these efforts in either conservation, decrease in deforestation rates or poverty reduction still remain unclear. (Sanchez-Azofeifa et al. 2007, Arriagada et al. 2012).This research focuses on the development of a new PES scheme that combine geospatial techniques with asocial sciences approach. It is aimed to deliver ES gathered in bundles but taking into account also socio-economic variables.1.Geospatial analysis will be carried out with the help of Collect Earth Tool which is a free, open source and customizable tool for specific data collection needs developed by FAO (2015). The combined effect of ES will be measured in bundles following the assessment methodology of (Garcia-Montero et al. 2010).2.To understand stakeholders' perceptions and interests in designing PES, the research will combine scientific and local knowledge and a development strategy aligned with local interests instead of rigid environmental policies or socioeconomic external factors. Stakeholders will be interviewed following the Sibelet et al. (2013) methodology. (Texte integral)