Evaluación del efecto de la tenencia de tierras en la formulación de pagos por servicios ambientales (PSA), caso de estudio cuenca del río Coello, Tolima

Abstract

This research analyzes the impact of land ownership on the implementation of the PES program in the Coello River basin, located in the department of Tolima. The study area covers eight municipalities, including Cajamarca, Ibagué and Coello, and focuses on how land tenure and management influence the success of these programs. Through a detailed analysis, we seek to understand the territorial challenges and opportunities that affect the implementation of the PSA. The study was divided into three main phases, each with a specific objective. First, areas of high environmental value in the basin were identified using the MESLI methodology. In the second phase, information on informal land ownership was collected, which made it possible to build a portfolio of properties with great potential for the implementation of the PES. Finally, a SWOT analysis was carried out to identify the challenges and opportunities associated with PES. The integration of these elements facilitated the selection of suitable properties, applying specific criteria that ensure the effectiveness and sustainability of the PES in the Coello River basin. This also allowed us to determine how informal land ownership can limit access to these programs, highlighting the importance of formalizing ownership for their effective implementation. Likewise, this study highlights the importance of public policies that promote the regularization of land tenure, as a crucial step to ensure that PES and other similar programs can be implemented in a more equitable and effective way.