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Global state and potential scope of investments in watershed services for large cities

Author

Listed:
  • Chelsie L. Romulo

    (University of Northern Colorado
    Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
    George Mason University)

  • Stephen Posner

    (University of Vermont
    COMPASS)

  • Stella Cousins

    (California Polytechnic State University)

  • Jenn Hoyle Fair

    (Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies)

  • Drew E. Bennett

    (University of Wyoming)

  • Heidi Huber-Stearns

    (University of Oregon)

  • Ryan C. Richards

    (Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
    George Mason University
    Center for American Progress)

  • Robert I. McDonald

    (The Nature Conservancy)

Abstract

Investments in watershed services (IWS) programs, in which downstream water users pay upstream watershed service suppliers for actions that protect drinking water, are increasing in number and scope. IWS programs represent over $170 million of investment in over 4.3 million ha of watersheds, providing water to over 230 million people. It is not yet fully clear what factors contribute to the establishment and sustainability of IWS. We conducted a representative global analysis of 416 of the world’s largest cities, including 59 (14%) with IWS programs. Using random forest ensemble learning methods, we evaluated the relative importance of social and ecological factors as predictors of IWS presence. IWS programs are more likely present in source watersheds with more agricultural land and less protected area than otherwise similar watersheds. Our results suggest potential to expand IWS as a strategy for drinking water protection and also contribute to decisions regarding suitable program locations.

Suggested Citation

  • Chelsie L. Romulo & Stephen Posner & Stella Cousins & Jenn Hoyle Fair & Drew E. Bennett & Heidi Huber-Stearns & Ryan C. Richards & Robert I. McDonald, 2018. "Global state and potential scope of investments in watershed services for large cities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:9:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-018-06538-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06538-x
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    Cited by:

    1. Li, Tan & Qi, Yunyun & Chen, Min & Cao, Jing, 2023. "Balancing crop security and sustainable cropland use: Policy lessons from the Watershed Ecosystem Service Payments in Xin’an River, China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 861-879.
    2. Qiongrui Zhang & Xuechao Sun & Kebin Zhang & Zhenni Liao & Songjun Xu, 2021. "Trade-Offs and Synergies of Ecosystem Services in the Pearl River Delta Urban Agglomeration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-14, August.
    3. Jones, Kelly W. & Gannon, Benjamin & Timberlake, Thomas & Chamberlain, James L. & Wolk, Brett, 2022. "Societal benefits from wildfire mitigation activities through payments for watershed services: Insights from Colorado," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    4. Yu, Shuying & Peng, Jian & Xia, Pei & Wang, Qi & Grabowski, Robert C & Azhoni, Adani & Bala, Brij & Shankar, Vijay & Meersmans, Jeroen, 2023. "Network analysis of water-related ecosystem services in search of solutions for sustainable catchment management: A case study in Sutlej-Beas River systems, India," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    5. Junran Dong & Desheng Wu, 2020. "An Evaluation of the Impact of Ecological Compensation on the Cross-Section Efficiency Using SFA and DEA: A Case Study of Xin’an River Basin," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-18, September.
    6. Agboola, Oluwagbenga David & Yu, Han, 2023. "Neighborhood-based cross fitting approach to treatment effects with high-dimensional data," Computational Statistics & Data Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).

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