Developing Institutional Options for Watershed Management

Preservation and conservation activities are often costly and frequently do not yield economic benefits for those living closest to the land. Even in cases where conservation and preservation have been theoretically linked to sustainable development it has been difficult to implement this concept on the ground. This book examines current efforts in Costa Rica and Panama to stimulate economic and social development while integrating management and protection of natural ecosystems across national boundaries. An institutional impact analysis is performed to examine likely outcomes of current programs, (1) based at the level of the watershed, and (2) with the addition of a macro-institutional structure; a UN sanctioned transboundary biosphere reserve. A theoretical model for this reserve is presented based upon current UN guidelines, a literature review, and case studies. This book presents planners and citizens with a way to evaluate likely outcomes of natural resource management programs. It is relevant for professionals in resource management, land resource economics, and anyone with an interest in linking preservation, conservation, and sustainable development.