mohamadi A M, Mousavi S A, kiani G, Soltani Koupaei S. The Rangeland users’ Willingness to be paid for reduction of grazing pressure in Bardeh and Karsanak Rangelands. مرتع 2022; 16 (1) :158-173
URL:
http://rangelandsrm.ir/article-1-991-en.html
Department of Range and Watershed Management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan
Abstract: (2388 Views)
Background and objectives: Over grazing is one of the main causes of rangeland degradation. This problem exist all over the country and during the time and has not been solved by using legal punishments. Lack of attention to grazing capacity has led to the destruction of vegetation. The Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) for the reduction stock numbers can contribute to rehabilitation of rangeland ecosystems which are getting degraded. An important element of running PES is the Willingness to Accept (WTA) by the rangeland utilizers.
Methodology: the study is conducted in Bardeh and Kresnak regions in Ben city of Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari province. Ranchers were classified and samples to be interviewed were determined. Data were collected through regular and guided interviews and questionnaires. Then two scenarios were created and analyzed. Scenario one was based on the annual profit of each sheep and goat. In the second scenario, the net income from each animal unit was determined by calculating costs and revenues, and the amount of pastoral income decline due to the elimination of one animal unit was determined. The two values calculated in the scenarios were compared and the second scenario, which was more accurate as a quantitative number, was introduced to the respondents. The willingness to pay (WTA) of ranchers in return for the grazing livestock elimination was determined by conditional valuation method (CVM), using the logit function. Role of the law and Existing instructions on PES was investigated by Content analysis method.
Results: Results showed that 71.4% of ranchers agree with PES in return for the grazing livestock reduction. The value of one productive sheep and goat are determined to be 7265 and 6462 thousand Iranian Rials per year, respectively which is lower than the net income per animal unit. The share of the pasture from the net income of a sheep and a productive goat in the permitted utilization conditions, which are set for one hundred days, is 1990 and 1770 thousand Rials, respectively. In the current utilization conditions, the dependence of livestock on rangeland during the year is 44.4%. The outputs of the logit model show that the WTA ranchers increase with the bid price (P = 0.00). There is significant relationship between WTA and the number of grazing livestock (P<0.01). Instructions for terms of rangeland utilization have been prepared and reviewed 5 times. The executive procedure for calculating the customary rights of ranchers has also been prepared and revised by the Cabinet of Ministers in 1391 in 3 times, in 1395, 1398 and 1399, with the approval of its executive regulations. An analysis of the content of these guidelines reveals that is not mentioned payment for ecosystem services.
Conclusion: A comparison between the first and second scenarios shows that the net income of an animal unit in the first scenario is higher than the second. That goes back to the rancher’s assumption in the interview that they will gain more benefits if they claim more animal unit. The minimum level of Payment for Ecosystem Services per animal unit should be equal to that of the profit per animal unit. Investigation of the laws and regulations related to the rangeland shows that yet no law or regulation have been enacted in terms of the PES, in return for the elimination of grazing livestock and even it has not been mentioned in legal terms.
Type of Study:
Applicable |
Subject:
Special Received: 2021/05/6 | Accepted: 2022/01/2 | Published: 2022/03/30