Vietnam’s biodiversity corridors boost local incomes
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Researchers in Vietnam’s Annamite mountains discovered that households living within biodiversity corridors earn significantly more income than those outside them.
A study examined 120 families in Quang Nam and Thua Thien provinces to understand how conservation incentive payments impact local livelihoods. People inside the corridors primarily gained income from payments linked to conservation efforts and related activities, while those outside relied more on plantations and forest resources.
The research team found that households within the corridors earned roughly 25% more than those outside, equating to about $412 per hectare per year compared to $330. These payments, distributed through Vietnam’s Payment for Forest Ecosystem Services (PFES) program, incentivize communities to protect forests and reduce pressures on habitats. While residents inside the corridors experienced some restrictions on land use and access to forest resources, they also reported greater access to livelihood support and participation in forest management.
However, the study also revealed potential inequalities, with larger landowners benefiting more from the payments. Researchers recommend expanding conservation programs, devolving forest management rights to local communities, and supporting ecosystem restoration to ensure equitable benefits and long-term sustainability. They are now investigating ways to extend funding for nature-based solutions to areas outside of protected zones to further benefit the Annamite mountains.
