Relational values in evaluations of upstream social outcomes of watershed Payment for Ecosystem Services: a review

  • Leah L. Bremer
  • , Kate A. Brauman
  • , Sara Nelson
  • , Kelly Meza Prado
  • , Eric Wilburn
  • , Ana Carolina O. Fiorini

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

52 Scopus citations

Abstract

Relational values associated with meaningful and just human–environment relationships (e.g. care and responsibility) have been proposed as motivating ‘upstream’ participation in Payments for Watershed Services (PWS). However, the way relational values are affected by and interact with PWS remains poorly understood. We reviewed 50 studies of social outcomes of PWS and found that approximately half assessed or discussed relational values. This included changes in relational values presented positively, such as amplifying values and norms around care for land; negatively, such as undermining traditional practices and intergenerational learning; and influencing other outcomes, such as links between land ties and human health. To improve understanding of the full suite of outcomes linked to the effectiveness, durability, and equity of PWS, we propose a research agenda based on locally-based relational value systems that include, for example, place-based conceptualizations of responsibility, care, and relation to the natural world.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)116-123
Number of pages8
JournalCurrent Opinion in Environmental Sustainability
Volume35
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2018

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
We thank the many participants and program managers of PWS programs that we have worked with for their collaboration and support. We also thank Unai Pascual and three anonymous reviewers for their comments and suggestions on the manuscript as well as Victoria Ward (UHERO) for figure design. Funding for this work was provided by NSF grant 1624329 through the Belmont Forum project ClimateWIse. This is contributed paper WRRC-CP-2019-11 of the Water Resources Research Center, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Elsevier B.V.

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