Collective choice and community forestry management in Mexico: An empirical analysis

Abstract

Democratic participation has increasingly become a natural resource management policy approach for governments around the world. Yet, its effective application across stakeholder groups remains a challenge. With original survey data from Mexico, a country with extensive common property forestland, we assess the effect of incorporating both local representation and outside technical expertise on forest management. Descriptive statistics show how existing community governance accommodates local management decision-making. The empirical analysis constructs and compares multidimensional indices for rule conformance and forest conditions with measures of local and professional service providers' involvement in community forums. Regression results suggest that active use of these forums for disseminating information and seeking management plan approval improves rule conformance, which, in turn, leads to better forest conditions.