Abstract: The high population density in the cloud forests of. Central Veracruz is one of the main threats to the survival of this ecosystem in the region and is ...
Ecosystem services valuation and social investment in a Tropical Cloud Forest in Veracruz, México César Raziel Lucio–Palacio1 Pierre Mokondoko2 1Pronatura
Veracruz. Sección Ecoforestal 2Instituto de Ecología A.C. Ecología Funcional
• Keywords: natural capital, green infrastructure, poverty alleviation. • Abstract: The high population density in the cloud forests of Central Veracruz is one of the main threats to the survival of this ecosystem in the region and is accompanied by high marginalization levels. We modeled the value of several ecosystem services and contrasted them with recent governmental social investment in the area. The results allow the establishment of policy action lines to channel resources for forest conservation and sustainable development in the area.
• Tropical Montane Cloud Forests (TMCF) are one of the most endangered terrestrial ecosystems, both globally and in México.
• Biologically, TMCF is characterized by: – High values of species richness, endemism – High β diversity – Ancient ecosystems (relictual)
• TMCF in México
Main threats to TCMF in Central Veracruz • • • • •
High population density Ecosystem fragmentation Land use change Lack of ecological zoning Climate change
• Mexican Cloud Forests are in great risk of disappearing unless we find innovative ways of protecting nature and enhance local livehoods.
Sierra de las Minas, Veracruz: a place of opportunity
What did we want? • Find evidence to promote the use of a “new” kind of territorial preserve: “Hábitat Crítico”. – Legally recognized: Ley General de Vida Silvestre (General Wildlife Law), Art. 67 • Vague definition: characterized only as “places which are essential for the survival of endangered species and ecosystems”.
What did we know about Sierra de las Minas? • Included in the Plan de Ordenamiento Territorial del Río Bobos (2008), a regional Ecological Territorial Order Program. • Presence of endangered species and ecosystems.
• High margination, low emigration. • Valuable environmental services, mainly hidrological.
Next step: finding conclusive information • Unknown populations of endangered amphibian species. • Stop-over habitat for migratory birds.
Social profile of municipalities Municipio
Population (2012)
Margination index
IDH1
2005
2012
Range
Altotonga
60 396
0.7024
0.5535
0.5552
Atzalan
48 397
0.7033
0.9902
0.9917 Very high/Very high
2 897
0.6639
1.6777
1.1690 Very high/Very high
Las Minas Las Vigas de Ramírez Tatatila
17 958
0.7562 -0.1160 -0.1142
High/High
Medium/Medium
5 584
0.6745
0.9466
0.9480 Very high/Very high
Tlacolulan
10 299
0.6874
0.9530
0.9545 Very high/Very high
Villa Aldama
10 851
0.7279
0.2491
0.2508
High/High
High resilience to climate change
High local values for environmental services Ecosystemic service Carbon capture
Estimated value (USD/ha/year)
$2 090
Biological control
$45
Climate regulation
$31
Erosion control Hábitat Water provision
Total
$2 300 $37 $3 706
$6 609
Credits ® Pronatura Veracruz A.C.
ASES
tion of (market ket data) orest ES
ApplicationPHYSICAL of InVEST models PROJECTIONS &
TRANSFER & SCALING-UP
ASSESSMENT
Compilation and creation of Mapping key Worldwide physical Transfer and scaling-up cartographic information of forest protocols to reach a worldwide assessment ecosystem services areas and biomes coverage of values for each ES 2012-2013 in InVEST
TOTAL LOSS Estimation of potential loss Prioritization of areas for each ES in the period with greater importance 2000-2050
in service provision
oning
ating
ral
Carbon storage
Remote imagery: Landsat and Spot
Water yield
DEM and climate data Soil depth, soil loss, and soil maps Flows
Stocks
Sediment and nutrient retention
Land use/Land cover
STEP 2 Watersheds and rivers
National maps
STEP 3
Water supply of Sierra de las Minas: •321 to 3,193 mm/m2/year. •Four micro-watersheds that are capable of providing high volumes of water. •Value of this service to the area can reach USD $ 3.076 ha/year •Reference value:$ 0.18/m3.
Carbon content: •Simplifies carbon cycle •Data from carbon stocks ( carbon pools ) for different land uses : ground biomass , soil biomass , soil carbon , biomass and dead wood removed . •Values: 25 to 525 ton C / ha . •Among different types of vegetation in the area, including the TMCF have higher carbon storage values and occupy the largest percentage of the surface area . •Economic value provided: $ 22.5 and $ 1 102.5 per year. •Reference prices are $ 0.90USD and $ 2.10 USD.
Sediment retention Watersheds and landscapes dominated by streams. Index of runoff and flow direction High capacity to retain nutrients and sediments , which is directly related to both the downstream water quality , as with the soil conservation. Riparian vegetation contribute greatly to control soil loss and nutrient retention Micro area can reach hold up to 46.574 tons / year of soil. It is estimated that the value of this service is U.S. $ 2.300 ha / year.
Important level of social investment • 76 communities in Sierra de las Minas; 14,282 people. • Economic active population: 4,094. • 107 unemployed.
Government investment • $ 15,205,598.21 Mexican pesos anually • $12,464, 450.264 Mexican pesos ($ 958,177.366 USD) is social investment (poverty alleviation)
Government investment in Sierra de las Minas Poverty Federal Investment State Investment
$ 9,916,976.64 $2,547,473.62
Forestry $ 1,606,686.20 -
Agriculture $ 1,134,461.75 -
Investment in restoration Restoration proposal Conservation
Area (ha)
Requiered investment
Total return by Ecosystem Services
99.00
$0.00
$ 6 542 910.00
Protection
8176.00
$0.00
$ 540 351 840.00
Restoration
15267.00
$305 340 000.00
$ 1 008 996 030.00
Riparian corrdors
2242.36
$44 847 200.00
$ 148 197 572.40
Prioritary riparian corridors (20%)
448.47
$8 969 440.00*
$ 29 639 514.48
162
0
23 704.00
$8969440.00*
Profitable Total
$ $ 29 639 514.48
A new objective… • Relocate government investment from poverty alleviaton to ecological restoration (we belive is feasible!)
Next steps • Calculate long term benefit-cost ratios of restoration effort. • Spacial prioritization of restoration zones. • Find mechanisms for relocating resources • Stablish Hábitat Crítico as an ecosistem service value based form of territorial protection.
Conclusion • We think that in order to alleviate poverty, we need to invest in jobs and nature: “natural capital”, “green infraestructure”. One way to do so in the cloud forests of Veracruz is ecosystem services-oriented ecological restoration.
Thanks to
