Integrated Spatial Ecosystem Services Valuation Approach with Community Participation in a Social Forestry Scheme

Abstract

In 2016, the Indonesian government established seven village forests in East Tebing Tinggi Sub-district, Riau Province. These social forestry schemes grant rights to the local society to manage communal land for ecological and livelihood benefits. To do this, they need to identify and value the products and services of the natural resource assets. This study conducts a rapid spatial assessment for an ecosystem service valuation with the participation of local representatives, demonstrating that the integration of a spatial approach and local participation is scientifically implementable for the village forest authority. Using the peat ecosystem services approach, the study estimates that seven village forests contain approximately 36.2 million tons of carbon stocks from the peat soil and peat forest biomass in the form of regulating services. Supporting services are evident in the government’s regulation of ecological conditions based on its designation of peat ecosystem function. The agro-ecosystem of sago plantations for food production offers provisioning services. Local residents and governments support the potential of ecotourism to enhance socio-cultural value via cultural services. All these services demonstrate how the environmental returns for both local livelihoods and a sustainable ecosystem are possible to achieve at the local level. However, support from governments and organizations is required to ensure that local communities can continue to hold the communal land right.