Land-Use Change and Carbon Flux Between 1970s and 1990s in Central Highlands of Chiapas, Mexico

6 tons C were released to the atmosphere during the period of time covered by our study, equal to approximately 34% of the 1975 vegetation C pool. The Chiapas highlands, while comprising just 0.3% of Mexico's surface area, contributed 3% of the net national C emissions.     

ESTIMATING THE LOCAL COST OF PROTECTING KOSHI TAPPU WILDLIFE RESERVE, NEPAL: A CONTINGENT VALUATION APPROACH

We estimate the compensation required by the local communities to forego access to the natural resources within the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR), Nepal using the contingent valuation method (CVM). In addition to contributing a CVM application from a seldom studied location to the literature, this case illustrates the sensitivity of WTA estimates to the analytical technique adopted. We analyze households’ willingness to accept (WTA) compensation using Tobit and double-hurdle regression models that account for the censored distribution of WTA and nested yes/no decision implicit in the WTA responses. The average WTA of a household residing in the vicinity of KTWR is estimated to be US $238, which amounts to nearly $ 1.64 million for the neighboring region. The results provide a basis to address local people’s concerns in the process of sustainable management of natural resources and wetland ecosystems in KTWR, Nepal.