The concept of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) has emerged as a challenge to the all-too-prevalent tradition of taking the Earth’s natural resources for granted. PES highlights a global continuum, illustrating the relationship between our lifestyles, the demands associated with our production and consumption patterns, and the effects those demands have on close or distant ecosystems.

This book is meant to take those with background knowledge into new realms of technical understanding, but also to take newcomers to the PES mandate on a thoughtful journey, raising awareness in their consciousness as to what is needed and what can be accomplished by individuals with a strong sense of commitment. A functioning PES system has the potential to renew individuals’ shared sense of responsibility and involve them in supporting initiatives that can contribute to the collective preservation of our planet