Evaluation of ecosystem services in the Grand Sud of Haiti
Context
The degradation of ecosystems and management needs in Haiti
In Haiti, the exploitation of natural ecosystems has reduced forest cover from 60 % to 4 % since the early 20th century, while the population remains largely dependent on natural resources.
To preserve this heritage, the government established the National System of Protected Areas (SNAP) in 2014, led by the National Protected Areas Agency (ANAP). Protected areas are still in the structuring phase, and both ANAP and the Ministry of the Environment (MDE) need consolidated tools to ensure their management and define a national strategy.
However, there is no common indicator framework or monitoring tool to measure the actual impact of protected areas. The MDE, through ANAP, has therefore requested the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to develop an environmental management strategy and improve knowledge of the ecosystems involved.
service
Evaluate two protected areas and build common monitoring tools
Vertigo Lab was tasked with assessing the ecosystem services of 2 protected areas in the Grand Sud of Haiti: the Macaya National Park and the Aquin–Saint-Louis Marine Protected Area. This study aimed to highlight the value of the services provided by natural ecosystems and their contribution to the local economy.
The mission pursued 2 main objectives: to provide protected areas with useful knowledge for decision-making and to propose a common framework for monitoring and evaluating environmental action. These objectives were closely linked: better knowledge of ecosystems would enhance management effectiveness, and appropriate indicators would facilitate the monitoring of their changes and the pressures they faced.
This work was intended to provide ANAP and MDE with a national framework to prioritize actions according to ecosystems, their uses, identified pressures, and ongoing investment projects. The assessments of ecosystem services were also meant to address strategic issues for the preservation of biodiversity and for the essential uses it supports, such as water supply or agricultural activities.
BENEFITS
Enhancing the contribution of ecosystems and demonstrating the national stakes
The study estimated the value of ecosystem services and the benefits associated with their preservation. With effective protection of these sites, the value of ecosystem services can be multiplied by a factor ranging from 10 to 20 on average.
These results show that their maintenance and conservation represent a major challenge for the country.
This economic demonstration strengthens the legitimacy of conservation efforts and supports the construction of a strong argument in favor of preserving Haitian ecosystems.
The + Vertigo Lab
A recognized mastery of economic analysis applied to biodiversity, allowing the ecological value of ecosystems to be translated into concrete decision-making tools for governments and funders.
evaluated protected areas:
Macaya and Aquin-Saint-Louis
approximately times, meaning the multiplication of the value of ecosystem services
thanks to effective protection
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