Unpacking The Determinants Of Community Participation In Payment For Environmental Services Schemes: The Case Of The Plantation Establishment And Livelihoods Improvement Scheme In The Dundori Forest Socioecological System In Kenya

The world's forests are being rapidly degraded despite their vital importance in ecosystem services. This could be addressed through payment for environmental services (PES) that offer incentives to those involved in their conservation and management. However, there is a lack of a good understanding regarding the participation of local communities in payment for environmental service schemes in Africa. Therefore, this study undertook an analysis of factors that affect people’s participation in the payment of environmental services schemes within forest contexts in Kenya based on the case of the plantation establishment and livelihood improvement scheme. Data analysis was done using the probit regression model. The study found that various factors had a significant positive and negative relationship with the adoption of payment for environmental services. The study will inform the development and implementation of effective payment for environmental services schemes-related policies and programs. Keywords: Payment, Services, Environmental, Participation, Factors, Forest DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/95-05 Publication date: March 31st 2025