Water funds and payments for ecosystem services: practice learns from theory and theory can learn from practice

摘要: Payments for ecosystem services (PES) are emerging worldwide as important mechanisms to align investments in human and natural well-being. PES projects often defined voluntary transactions where well-defined environmental/ecosystem (or land uses likely secure those services) bought by a minimum of one service buyer, from provider, if only the provider continuously secures provision (conditionality). Further criteria include limiting additional objectives ensuring that payments reward behaviour would otherwise not occur (additionality). Together these best practices increasingly accepted most efficient means achieve desired outcomes guiding funding projects. We used series water funds (watershed-oriented based on trust fund model) examine how theoretical could inform improve practice also theory learn practical efforts. conclude thoughtful consideration is required when evaluating promise approach against ideal. found requiring conditionality may limit use creative finance such can provide long-term benefits conservation well-being, additionality exclude social diffusion result inefficient targeting funds. Finally, public–private partnerships lead multiple additional/side but lower transaction costs transparent, landscape-scale watershed management.