WILLINGNESS TO ACCEPT PAYMENTS BY FOREST OWNERS FOR MAINTAINING HYDROLOGIC ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Abstract

In this research the compensation level that the forest owners of the Izta-Popo region would accept to give up conventional timber harvesting activities in the forest and to promote forest conservation to enhance environmental services was determined. Willingness to Accept (WTA) was estimated by the contingent valuation method and a comparison of WTA was performed between participant and no participant forest owners in the Payment for Hydrological Environmental Services Program (PSAH). It was also evaluated the Willingness to Accept the amount paid by the National Forestry Commission of Mexico (CONAFOR) for participating in the PSAH. The WTA estimated was $7992.973 ha-1 year-1 (greater than the $324 ha-1 year-1 paid by the PSAH in 2008). It was found that the income for agricultural activities was the variable better related to the DAA and no significant differences were found between the WTA of participant and no participant forest owners in the PSAH. The forest owners consider that the current compensation level offered in the PSAH is low and the Willingness to Accept the CONAFOR amount was related to the education level and the main economic activity of the interviewed forest owners.