Biodiversity-based payments on Swiss alpine pastures

Abstract

This paper presents a case study of a results-based program for biodiversity on alpine pastures in Switzerland. This scheme is in its first cycle and makes payments based on biodiversity levels that were achieved prior to the scheme’s start. The cross-sectional analysis presented in the paper is based on survey data from 429 respondents collected among scheme participants in two Swiss Cantons. Four sets of contextual variables on agronomic decisions, private versus common property management, social capital and environmental preconditions are presented as theoretical framework for the empirical analysis. The data reveal that livestock density, livestock species composition, property rights and individual versus collective management, as well as social capital can explain a large share of the variation in the biodiversity-based payment levels.