Abstract

KIDO-CRUZ, Ma. Teresa  and  KIDO, Antonio. Comparative costs analysis of land management and use in the high basin of the Cacaluta river in the State of Oaxaca, México. Agrociencia [online]. 2007, vol.41, n.3, pp.355-362. ISSN 2521-9766.

An analysis is made of the implementation of payment systems for environmental services generated by the forest zones in México. The rationale for these environmental protection mechanisms is that the conservation of these areas can find potential users of the forest environmental services. The specific purpose of this study is that the present payment system for environmental services in México should not only include payment for conservation, but should also include payment plans for reforestation, as international experience has demonstrated. The case study presented here calculates the cost of forest reconversion of one hectare dedicated to maize production in the high zone of the Cacaluta basin in the State of Oaxaca. This cost was calculated to be 1337 pesos ha year−1, therefore the amount for reforestation would approximate this figure.

Keywords : Opportunity cost; efficient cost analysis; environmental services.