Heather J. Aslin

Importance and impacts of intermediary boundary organizations in facilitating payment for environmental services in Vietnam

Intermediaries are seen as important actors in facilitating payments for environmental services (PES). However, few data exist on the adequacy of the services provided by intermediaries and the impacts of their interventions. Using four PES case studies in Vietnam, this paper analyses the roles of government agencies, non-government organizations, international agencies, local organizations and professional consulting firms as PES intermediaries. The findings indicate that these intermediaries are essential in supporting PES establishment. Their roles are as service and information providers, mediators, arbitrators, equalizers, representatives, watchdogs, developers of standards and bridge builders. Concerns have been raised about the quality of intermediaries’ participatory work, political influence on intermediaries’ activities and the neutral status of intermediaries. Although local organizations are strongly driven by the government, they are important channels for the poor to express their opinions. However, to act as environmental services (ES) sellers, local organizations need to overcome numerous challenges, particularly related to capacity for monitoring ES and enforcement of contracts. Relationships amongst intermediaries are complex and should be carefully examined by PES stakeholders to avoid negative impact on the poor. Each of the intermediaries may operate at a different level and can have different functions but a multi-sector approach is required for an effective PES implementation.

Do social values influence levels of conservation effort in threatened species? The case of two Australian chats

This research aims to understand why one of two almost identical subspecies of the Australian yellow chat Ephthianura crocea has received significantly higher levels of local and institutional support than the other despite both having the same conservation status and taxonomic distinctiveness, factors commonly thought to influence conservation effort. Using a qualitative multiple case study approach we explored how a range of social factors, including stakeholder attitudes and institutional, policy and operational aspects, might have affected conservation efforts for the two taxa. Our results suggest that the conservation trajectories of these two subspecies have diverged since their identification as threatened species in 2000 because of differences in the social landscapes within which they persist. For one subspecies local advocacy was kindled initially by the small number of local endemic bird species but developed into a strong emotional engagement, resulting in increased local awareness, government funding, and effectiveness of conservation action. The other subspecies has had to compete for attention with approximately 200 other threatened taxa occurring in its region. No individual advocate has accorded this subspecies a high priority for action, and none of those responsible for its conservation have seen it or acknowledged an emotional attachment to it. Our findings confirm that initiation of conservation effort is strongly tied to the social values of individuals with power to take action, regardless of legislation.

Social values and species conservation: the case of Baudin's and Carnaby's black-cockatoos

We investigated how the socio–political and ecological environment are associated with the conservation management strategies for two rare, endemic and almost identical Australian white-tailed black-cockatoos: Baudins ( Calyptorhynchus baudinii ) and Carnabys black-cockatoo ( C. latirostris ). Substantially less investment and action has occurred for Baudins black-cockatoo. Interviews with key informants revealed that this disparity has probably arisen because Baudins black-cockatoo has long been considered a pest to the apple industry, lives primarily in tall forests and has had little research undertaken on its biology and threats. By contrast, Carnabys black-cockatoo has been the subject of one of the longest running research projects in Australia, is highly visible within the urban environment and does not appear to affect the livelihoods of any strong stakeholder group. We suggest the social context within which recovery efforts occur could be an important determinant in species persistence. We argue that social research is fundamental to a better understanding of the nature of efforts to conserve particular species, the factors associated with these efforts and their likelihood of success.

Organisational and Institutional Opportunities and Constraints for Poor Households to Participate in Payment for Environmental Service Schemes in Vietnam

Payment for environmental services (PES) can be a poverty reduction strategy. Findings from two PES case studies in Vietnam indicate that the involvement of the poor is enhanced by increasing attention and interest from donors and the private sector. However, their participation is limited due to political influences which weaken environmental services monitoring, and weak local intermediaries who are limited in their capacity to represent and protect the poor. Whether PES schemes can be pro-poor depends on the scope of the project, the political, social and economic context of the case, and the local definition of poverty. Capacity building for the poor, coupled with better coordination for transparent and equitable benefit-sharing and monitoring mechanisms, need to be in place to ensure that the poor will not be marginalised.