Ecological-economic model for integrated watershed management in Tonameca, Oaxaca, Mexico

An ecological-economic model is presented for linking the production function approach to existing food web models, such as ECOPATH, in order to identify optimal management strategies for watersheds. The model is applied to the Tonameca watershed, located on the coast of Oaxaca in Mexico. The model is an ecological diagnosis linked to agriculture, fisheries and ecotourism and production functions and profits. Social optimization and externalities are also analysed. The ecological results show that the Tonameca river and lagoon are not extremely polluted and only one scenario of nitrogen run-off estimation indicates high levels of nutrient loading. The mangrove food web analysis results show that the ecosystem is healthy and can support large amounts of nitrogen in water. The agriculture production function and profits depend mainly on water extraction and fertilizer use. Fisheries production function and profits depend on fish biomass and nitrogen concentration in water, which in turn is a measure of fertilizer used in agriculture. Ecotourism production and profits are a function of labour and crocodile biomass related to fish biomass and nitrogen concentration in water. The increase of fertilizer use influences positively in a short term the economic activities but not in a long term. The optimum levels of each activity are evaluated as well as the optimum point of nitrogen run-off for avoiding a negative externality from agriculture to fisheries and ecotourism. Finally, management recommendations for the Tonameca watershed are proposed based on the Mexican framework for coastal and watershed management

Natural Resources and Productive Diversification in Four Rural Locations in Oaxaca, Mexico

En el trabajo se analiza la relación entre la diversificación productiva, incluyendo el ecoturismo, y el uso y la importancia de los recursos naturales, en cuatro localidades rurales de Oaxaca, México. Para ello se utilizan los resultados de una encuesta aplicada en 2014 a 209 hogares, de la cual se seleccionaron 16 variables de interés. Las etapas del estudio contemplan la descripción de las características socioeconómicas y ambientales de las localidades y el análisis en relación con la diversificación. Se confirma que, bajo condiciones similares, la diversificación y el aprovechamiento sustentable de recursos naturales constituyen prácticas cruciales en las estrategias de vida de los hogares.This work analyzes the relationship between productive diversification –including ecotourism– and the use and importance of natural resources in four rural locations in Oaxaca, Mexico. To do so, the findings from a survey applied to 209 households in 2014 were used and 16 significant variables were selected thereof. The study stages consist in the description of the socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the examined locations, and the diversification analysis. It is confirmed that, under similar conditions, both sustainable diversification and exploitation of the natural resources become crucial practices in the life strategies of the involved households

Household’s Allocation of Payment for Ecosystem Services in “La Antigua” Watershed, Veracruz, México

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