Green without envy: how social capital alleviates tensions from a Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) program in Indonesia

Abstract

Social capital increases participation and the success of conservation projects. However, research often overlooks social capital between program participants and nonparticipants. We examine social capital between participants and nonparticipants in villages across the Cidanau Watershed in West Java, Indonesia. Villages in this region have longstanding participation in a Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) scheme, and previous studies note they contain high levels of social capital. We find that working together, helping each other when someone is in need, and trusting your neighbors are part of the tradition and the history of these communities. Furthermore, we find that high levels of social capital persist between village members who do and do not participate in the PES scheme, despite perceived tensions and jealousy and elite capture in the PES scheme. The high levels of social capital mitigate the social impacts of the PES program. Specifically, participants report giving cash to jealous neighbors and/or providing nonparticipants with information about the PES scheme and encouraging their involvement. The informal actions that participants take to alleviate tension and jealousy mitigate the negative social impacts and perceptions of the PES. Thus, this research extends the literature on PES programs to consider participants and nonparticipants and it demonstrates how high levels of social capital can contribute to project stability by alleviating negative consequences and perceptions through informal mechanisms.

Social Capital and Environmental Ethics of Farmers

“…This means that; Environmental ethics of young, middle-aged and old farmers with any level of literacy is not significantly different from each other. The results of these studies are consistent with other studies (21,23). The results also indicate that the household dimension is inversely related to the environmental ethics of the respondents.…”

Social capital as a determinant for raising ecosystem services awareness - an application to an Albanian pastoral ecosystem

“…Linking is based on hierarchical or unequal relations due to power, resources, and status differences. Linking is a more vertical relationship between those within and outside a community, such as between community members and external government workers (McGrath et al, 2018). Several scholars have made an effort to understand the value of SC when referring to a broader human interaction area such as a region or territory (Callois, 2004;Callois & Aubert, 2007).…”

“…Several studies indicate that PES could provide significant livelihood benefits to poor people at the household or community level, whether in the form of cash payments or non-cash benefits such as enabling the transition to more profitable and resilient land-use systems, establishing secure land tenure or strengthening social capital and support local institutions (Amézquita et al, 2004;Antle & Diagana, 2003;Antle & Stoorvogel, 2008;Dumont et al, 2019;Graff-Zivin & Lipper, 2008;Milder et al, 2010) Extensive agropastoral ecosystems are recognised as socio-ecological systems (SES) characterised by their potential for providing ES, such as food and fibre (Huntsinger & Oviedo, 2014). Traditional pastoral rangeland management practices, such as the use of seasonal grassland reserves and livestock mobility, influence vegetation composition, coverage and abundance in rangelands, offer tools for biomass and soil carbon restoration, all of which contribute to the mitigation of climate change (Amézquita et al, 2004;Dumont et al, 2019;McGrath et al, 2018;Seid et al, 2016;Tamou et al, 2018). The ES provided by pastoral 1 systems 2 are globally acknowledged for its food and ecological services and the human populations they support, especially in developing countries (Antle & Diagana, 2003;Antle & Stoorvogel, 2008;Dong, 2016;Dong et al, 2011;McGrath et al, 2018).…”

“…Traditional pastoral rangeland management practices, such as the use of seasonal grassland reserves and livestock mobility, influence vegetation composition, coverage and abundance in rangelands, offer tools for biomass and soil carbon restoration, all of which contribute to the mitigation of climate change (Amézquita et al, 2004;Dumont et al, 2019;McGrath et al, 2018;Seid et al, 2016;Tamou et al, 2018). The ES provided by pastoral 1 systems 2 are globally acknowledged for its food and ecological services and the human populations they support, especially in developing countries (Antle & Diagana, 2003;Antle & Stoorvogel, 2008;Dong, 2016;Dong et al, 2011;McGrath et al, 2018). Kokthi et al, 2016;Kokthi & Kruja, (2017b) found that the mountainous origin and cultural values, such as tradition and heritage on specific pastoral areas, substantially impact the consumer's willingness to pay (WTP) for a typical pastoral product.…”

Three Generations of Forest Peoples' Empowerment in Indonesia: Process Towards Sustainable and Equitable Forest Management

“…For example, social and political capital can form a group's ability to lobby for their interests, and mass mobilisation influenced community forestry policies that enhanced community authority and income opportunities (Rosyadi et al, 2005). Social capital also often affects the level of collaboration between communities and the efficacy of their participation in contractual agreements (McGrath et al, 2018).…”