FORMATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF PAYMENTS FOR THE USE OF THE FOREST ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Abstract

The formed structure of payments for the use of resources and functions of forest ecosystems is presented in the form of a matrix, which was the purpose of the scientific article. The practical experience of implementing ecosystem payments in the field of forest use abroad was evaluated. It is well-founded that many countries have already implemented such payments, and in particular, in Costa Rica, these financial instruments have been operating effectively for 30 years. A mechanism was developed and a description of the process of forming the matrix of ecosystem payments and the algorithm of its creation was carried out. The structure of payments for the use of resources and functions of forest ecosystems has been developed in the form of a matrix, which is the most significant result and scientific novelty of this research. The "Matrix of payments for the use of resources and functions of forest ecosystems" lists various services or functions of forest ecosystems: regulation of the water regime; stabilization of the composition of the atmosphere, waste assimilation; significant decrease in wind speed, absorption of noise by the forest; provision of recreational services by forest ecosystems and others. The matrix highlights various conditions under which payments are differentiated: depending on the type of documentation, on the scale or size of the forest area, on the level of management or type of ownership; as well as the obligation of ecosystem payments, their regularity, or voluntariness, or their combination. A structure of ecosystem payments has been developed, which includes: ecological payments for regulating the water regime, regulating the climate regime, regulating the intensity of snowmelt and the water level in rivers; for stabilization of the composition of the atmosphere, assimilation of waste, improvement of the environment with the help of the release of phytoncides for bioremediation by plants; for a significant decrease in wind speed, for keeping under the tent the crowns of fauna and flora, absorbing noise by the forest; for the provision of recreational services by forest ecosystems. Ecosystem payments for compensation of economic losses caused to forest ecosystems are separately allocated. This scientific work was carried out on the basis of many years of research, analysis of domestic and foreign legislative and regulatory documents, economic literature, constructive consultations of well-known scientists in the field of environmental economics, and own conclusions.