Payment for ecosystem services and biodiversity conservation outcomes: A case study of Nyanga National Park, Zimbabwe.

Abstract

The study sought to assess the Payment for Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity Conservation Outcomes: a case study of Nyanga National Park, Zimbabwe. To achieve the purpose of this research, the following objectives were set: to assess the impact of Payment for Ecosystem Services on biodiversity conservation outcomes in Nyanga National Park, to examine the level of community participation in Payment for Ecosystem Services initiatives around Nyanga National Park, to analyse the socio-economic benefits of Payment for Ecosystem Services to local communities and their influence on conservation behaviour and to evaluate institutional and governance factors affecting the implementation of Payment for Ecosystem Services in Nyanga National Park. The study used the qualitative methods using case study design. The sample size of 21 participants was used. Purposive sampling technique was used to select research participants. Interview guide, FGDs and observation checklist were used as research instruments. Thematic data analyse was employed. The findings showed that, majority of participants highlighted how PES has enhanced community livelihoods and wildlife conservation in Nyanga National Park, according to the results. The participants' reports of noticeable reductions in fire outbreaks and improved control of invasive species supported environmental protection efforts. Most participants also highlighted how PES's financial incentives, which enabled households to grow both food and cash crops and supplement farming incomes by earning an average of roughly USD 200 per household annually, altered community attitudes toward conservation. Majority of participants also highlighted how PES projects improved local stewardship and support for conservation efforts by building and upgrading community infrastructure, including schools, clinics, and boreholes. Half of the participants reported positive behavioural changes toward environmental protection as a result of learning about and gaining expertise in biodiversity management and monitoring. The majority of participants also stressed that government involvement through the election of community representatives may speed up and improve the effectiveness of PES implementation. However, some participants expressed concerns that foreign buyers often disregard local community participation, which remains a significant barrier to the successful execution and long-term sustainability of PES initiatives. Overall, the study concludes that PES is a viable, context-dependent mechanism for advancing biodiversity conservation and community wellbeing in Nyanga National Park, provided that institutional coordination and buyer engagement with local communities are strengthened. The study recommended restoration to be prioritized over passive conservation by planting native species, enhancing habitat, and monitoring endangered wildlife populations under contract. Participation in biodiversity conservation can all be strengthened by implementing community-based PES models where local institutions oversee enrolment, monitoring, and dispute resolution. Providing training in benefit management and proposal writing, NGOs can assist community-led initiatives that lower transaction costs, develop local skills, and increase community motivation and PES program participation.