Developing a spatially-explicit, sustainable and risk-based insurance scheme to mitigate human–wildlife conflict

摘要: Abstract Insurance may encourage coexistence between farmers and wildlife by reimbursing farmers’ losses. China introduced an insurance scheme to mitigate human–elephant conflict in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture Yunnan Province, where elephants cause damage rubber plantations. However, recent experience has suggested that the present system exhibits poor performance related funding shortfalls, undervaluing of plantations insufficient payouts, limiting community involvement. To address these shortcomings we conducted attitude surveys with farmers, developed actuarial (risk-based) model for loss incorporated spatially-explicit risk depredation net value at damage, order calculate fair payouts village town levels year 2011. Farmers were largely dissatisfied current system, their level satisfaction was associated compensation ratio (percentage lost reimbursed insurance). The illustrative results based on 2011 data revealed high variability therefore (and further, premiums) would be approximately five times levels. improve support long-term program sustainability, considered cost-sharing mechanism shared payments from government, Chinese tourists. We found multiple stakeholders willing pay elephant conservation, which could make significant contributions premiums over long term. Importantly, this proposed broadly applicable livestock long-lived cash crop systems.