INTRODUCTION
Forest ecosystems are vital for supporting life and human well-being, offering essential resources like firewood and materials for manufacturing Beyond resource provision, they play a crucial role in maintaining and protecting habitats, contributing significantly to environmental sustainability Forests are integral to the health of every country, ensuring ecological balance and biodiversity preservation for future generations.
Global and Vietnamese forest resources are declining in both quantity and quality, leading to a significant loss of biodiversity and degraded ecological functions This decline adversely affects vital environmental protection efforts, disaster prevention, and efforts to combat global warming.
Vietnam's government has implemented a national forest inventory to monitor annual changes in forest resources, ensuring sustainable management and utilization This initiative provides accurate data on the quantity and quality of forests, supporting informed decision-making Additionally, Vietnam has established a comprehensive system of laws and policies to promote reforestation, protect forests, and encourage environmental services payments These measures collectively aim to enhance forest conservation, sustainable development, and the effective management of forest resources nationwide.
Payments for forest environmental services (PFES) are a promising method for promoting sustainable forest protection and development, supporting national forestry strategies This approach provides an additional income source for forest workers and communities whose livelihoods depend on forests Funds generated from PFES can be effectively allocated for forest planting and protection efforts Over the past decade, PFES and its applications have garnered significant attention from environmental researchers, scientists, and policymakers across Southeast Asia, highlighting its potential to enhance forest conservation and sustainable management.
In Viet Nam, PFES begin with Decision No.380/QĐ-TTg dated 10/4/2008 PFES is one of the important directions in order to achieve the objective of planning 44% area for
The pilot implementation of Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) in Lam Dong and Son La provinces has yielded promising results over two years, demonstrating significant progress in forestry development During this period, instances of forest land encroachment have ceased in the pilot areas, and violations of forest laws have decreased by over 50% The initiative has provided valuable lessons and positive experiences, contributing to more effective forest protection and sustainable management.
On September 24, 2010, the Vietnamese government issued Decree No 99/2010/NĐ-CP, establishing a pioneering policy on forest environmental services This policy recognizes forest environment services as vital for forest development, conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, and landscape protection, marking a significant innovation in Vietnamese forestry management It mandates that individuals, businesses, and organizations utilizing these services must compensate forest owners, thereby aligning forest resource management with market-oriented principles This initiative represents an important step toward boosting the capacity for sustainable forest management, protection, and exploitation in Vietnam, fostering the development of a sustainable forest economy.
Defining the K coefficient, which is used to adjust payment levels for Payments for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) according to Decree 99, remains challenging despite successful policy implementation in pilot provinces and on a national scale Additionally, the lack of a comprehensive database for PFES has hindered effective policy rollout, creating significant obstacles, especially in provinces like Dak Nong that are beginning to implement these initiatives.
In order to promote the implementation of Decree 99 on payment for forest environmental services in Dak Nong hydropower basin in particular and other provinces in general
“Gis application to identify payment for forest environment service: Case study in Dak Nong hydropower plant, Dak Nong province”
OBJECTIVES
Contribute to the implementation of Decree 99 about payments for forest environmental services in the hydropower plant basins
Create and apply K coefficient map to calculate amount paid for forest owners in Dak Nong hydropower basin
METHODOLOGY
Data source
- Digital elevation model (created by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Economics Japan in collaboration with NASA) spatial resolution is 30mx30m
- Forest inventory map of Dak Nong province in 2013 created by Institute for Forest Ecology and Environment, Vietnam Forestry University
- Roads map and map of population distribution inherited from Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Dak Nong.
Method of defining watershed boundaries for DAK NONG hydropower plant
Using the GPS (Global Positioning System) to determine outlet of the basin and enter the coordinates into the computer, show it on a DEM map
Watershed boundaries are delineated automatically from digitized elevation model (DEM) follow the sequence of steps:
- Fill the pits in the DEM
Most natural digital elevation models (DEMs) contain depressions, also known as sinks or pits, which must be filled to ensure accurate delineation of basins and streams Unfilled sinks can cause discontinuities in the derived drainage network, compromising its accuracy Proper sink filling is essential for creating a continuous and reliable drainage system in spatial analyses.
Analyst > Hydrology Tools > Fill in the Toolbox or search for the Fill tool, specify the original input DEM
The next step is to calculate flow directions Again in the Toolbox, go to Spatial
Analyst Tools -> Hydrology Tools -> Flow Direction
Use the pit-filled DEM (not the original DEM) as the input raster to ensure accurate flow modeling Specify a new output raster as the flow direction raster to capture proper water flow paths The resulting flow direction grid can then be utilized for various hydrology analyses, such as watershed delineation and flow accumulation mapping This approach enhances the reliability of hydrological modeling by working with a corrected DEM suitable for detailed water flow studies.
Search for the Flow Accumulation tool or in the toolbox: Spatial Analyst Tools > Hydrology > Flow Accumulation The dialog box prompts you to input flow direction raster
To enhance the visibility of flow accumulation in your map, reclassify the raster into two classes by adjusting its symbology Assign "no color" to smaller values to de-emphasize areas with low flow accumulation, while applying a distinct color to higher values to highlight regions of significant flow To do this, double-click on the symbol box to modify symbol properties, ensuring the larger values are visually prominent, resulting in a clear and effective map presentation.
To generate watershed analysis, select the Watershed tool from the Spatial Analyst Hydrology Tools Toolbox In the dialog box, set the flow direction grid as the input flow raster Then, specify the outlet point by selecting the shapefile containing the feature pour point data This process will delineate the watershed area based on the provided flow direction and outlet location.
Method of mapping K coefficient
Payment for forest environment services means a provision and payment relationship in which users of forest environment services pay to providers of these services
Forests environmental services is a form has been applied in a number of countries around the world, but it is a relatively new concept for Vietnam
Under Decree No 99, the payment for forest services is calculated by multiplying the forest area owned by the service provider by the average payment per hectare and a specific payment coefficient (K) Forest owners who provide multiple environmental services are entitled to receive payment for all these services This ensures fair compensation based on the size of the forest, the type of services provided, and relevant coefficients, promoting sustainable forest management and conservation efforts.
The K coefficient is determined for individual forest status plots and serves as the basis for calculating forest environmental services (FES) payments to forest owners Forest plots with similar statuses located within the same basin and providing comparable environmental services share the same K coefficient The K coefficient for each forest plot is an aggregate of multiple sub-coefficients (K1, K2, K3, K4), reflecting various ecological factors This standardized approach ensures accurate valuation of forest environmental services based on specific forest conditions.
The synthetic K coefficient is derived from four key component maps: (1) a map indicating the K1 factor according to forest status, (2) a map outlining the K2 factor based on forest type, (3) a map determining the K3 factor based on the forest’s formative origin, and (4) a map specifying the K4 factor according to the difficulty levels of forest protection This comprehensive mapping approach integrates multiple forest attributes to accurately assess the overall K coefficient.
3.3.1 Method of mapping K1 coefficient based on forest status
The payment level for forest environmental services (FES), known as Coefficient K1, is adjusted based on forest status and stock, including categories such as rich, medium, poor, and rehabilitated forests K1 is set at 1.00 for rich forests, 0.95 for medium forests, and 0.90 for poor and rehabilitated forests Forest classification criteria are determined in accordance with Circular No 34/2009/TT-BNNPTNT dated June 10, 2009, issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
Based on the 2013 forest inventory map from IFEE, Vietnam Forestry University, the K1 coefficient for each forest plot is determined according to specific volume conditions If a forest plot has a reserve exceeding 200 m³ per hectare, the K1 coefficient is set to 1 For plots where the reserve volume ranges between greater than 0 m³ and less than 200 m³ per hectare, the K1 coefficient is assigned as 0.95 This classification helps accurately assess forest resources and supports sustainable forest management practices.
20 degrees) These slope classifications were integrated into the forest status map to establish a hierarchical framework for assessing the difficulty of forest protection based on slope, as illustrated in Figure 4.6.
Figure 4.6: Sub K4 coefficient map according to slope
Table 4.6 Status, forest area according to slope levels
The statistical analysis reveals that approximately 27.1% of the basin's forested areas have gentle slopes of less than 10 degrees, indicating accessible and potentially high-value conservation zones The majority, 57.5%, consist of forested slopes ranging from 10 to 20 degrees, which are suitable for sustainable land use and management Meanwhile, 15.4% of the forested area features slopes greater than 20 degrees, representing steeper terrains that may require special attention for conservation and erosion control efforts These insights are vital for effective forest management and environmental planning within the basin.
The study classified forest plots based on average elevation and incorporated forest owners' perspectives on topography-related management challenges The basin's elevation was divided into three levels: Level 1, at elevations below 800 meters; Level 2, between 800 and 1100 meters; and Level 3, above 1100 meters (Figure 4.7) This categorization highlights how elevation impacts forest management practices and associated difficulties.
Figure 4.7: Sub K4 coefficient map according to elevation
Table 4.7 Status, forest area according to elevation levels
The majority of the basin's forest area, approximately 85%, is situated at elevations between 800 and 1100 meters above sea level Forests located below 800 meters comprise only 7.4% of the total area, while those above 1100 meters account for 7.6% These elevation-based distribution patterns are crucial for understanding the basin's ecological landscape and can inform conservation strategies.
Decentralized difficulty levels in forest protection in Dak Nong hydropower Basin
Forest protection difficulty levels are determined based on proximity to residential areas and roads, as well as elevation and slope Forest plots located within 2 km of roads or residential areas, with an elevation below 800 meters and a slope less than 10 degrees, are classified as extremely difficult to protect Conversely, areas more than 4 km from roads or residential zones, situated at elevations above 1100 meters and slopes steeper than 20 degrees, are considered less challenging for forest protection The remaining areas fall into a moderate difficulty category Using these criteria, the study decentralized and mapped the forest protection difficulty levels across all plots in the basin.
Figure 4.8: K4 coefficient map based on the difficulty level of forest protection
Table 4.8 Statistical area, forest status according to difficulty levels in forest protection of Dak Nong hydropower basin
The mapping coefficient K4 indicates that the watershed's forest areas vary in protection difficulty Specifically, 53 hectares are classified as extremely difficult to protect with a K4 coefficient of 1, while no areas fall into the less difficult to protect category with a coefficient of 0.9 Conversely, 7,508 hectares are designated as difficult to protect, with a K4 coefficient of 0.95 (Figure 4.8).
Map of synthetic K coefficient
Table 4.9 Aggregate forest area of Dak Nong hydropower basin according synthesis
Research results showed that synthetic K coefficient of forest plots in the basin ranges from 0.62 to 0.85.
Applications of K coefficient map to determine amount of money paid for PFES for
Determine the amount of payment for forest environmental services to forest owners in the basin follow the total money supply for basin:
Determine the average payment amount per hectare paid by a specific user for a certain service:
Tbq: average per hectare payment amount, which has been converted using K
B1: FES actual annual revenue received by provincial forest protection and development Fund (PFF)
Q1: administration costs of PFF (under point A, clause 2, article 15, decree 99 of
Viet Nam government then Q1 (max) = 10% of B1)
P: Contingency (under point B, clause 2, article 15, decree 99 of Viet Nam government then P (max) = 5% of B1)
Due to the unavailability of specific data on the FES's actual annual revenue allocated by the Provincial Forest Protection and Development Fund of Dak Nong Hydropower Plant, this study estimated the revenue at 2 billion VND to enable accurate calculations.
Define FES amount paid by for forest owners with the following formula:
B2: FES amount paid to forest owners
Amount paid for each forest status is shown in the following table:
Table 4.10 Amount paid for each forest status in Dak Nong hydropower basin
No Forest Type S i *K i Amount of paid (VND )
DISCUSSION
Challenges in applying the K-coefficient
The K-coefficient is essential for adjusting the payment levels for Forest Environmental Payment Schemes (PFES) Its values are specified in Circular 80/2011/BNNPTNT issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), which outlines the methods for determining payments for forest environmental services This coefficient plays a crucial role in ensuring accurate and fair compensation based on ecological and environmental factors.
K1 (forest volume status): 0.9 for regrowth and poor forest; 0.95 for medium forest; 1.0 for rich forest
K2 (forest function): 0.9 for production forest; 1 for protection forest or special- use forest
K3 (origin of forest): 0.8 for plantation; 1.0 for natural forest
K4 (difficulty of forest protection): 1.00 for very difficult; 0.95 for difficult; 0.90 for not very difficult
Implementing the K-coefficient system faces challenges such as difficulty explaining it to communities, which may provoke conflicts, and disagreements over the values of the coefficients The lack of forest inventory data complicates classification of forest quality and increases costs, leading to inconsistent use of K-coefficients—primarily K2 and K3—in payment allocation In pilot programs in Lam Dong and Son La, authorities assigned a uniform K-coefficient of 1 to ensure equal payments, but this approach has not improved forest quality Interviews reveal that using a flat rate results in perceived unfairness, as households receive the same payment regardless of their success in enhancing forest quality, raising concerns about the system’s efficiency and fairness.
Method of calculate amount paid for PEFS to each forest owners:
According to Decree No 99, PFES payments are calculated on a per-hectare basis by dividing the total PFES fee paid by buyers of environmental services (after management fees and reserve fund contributions) by the total protected forest area This calculation method results in watersheds with a lower percentage of forest cover receiving higher PFES payments per hectare, while those with more forest cover receive smaller payments, which can incentivize land conversion in heavily forested areas Although larger payments in less forested watersheds encourage forest protection there, the uniform rate means buyers receive minimal benefit from PFES alone, regardless of watershed conditions Therefore, combining PFES with other conservation programs could improve watershed protection and create more targeted incentives for forest conservation.
Some of the policy options worth considering are as follows:
- Determine whether payment rates should be based on the percentage of watershed that is forested
Direct PFES funding to key areas that provide vital environmental services, prioritizing regions such as forests adjacent to streams for watershed protection, which can receive higher payments compared to more distant forests Additionally, forests with high biodiversity values are eligible for increased compensation for landscape beauty and biodiversity services, ensuring that conservation efforts focus on areas most critical for ecological health and environmental sustainability.
Using collected fees or integrating PFES with other government programs can enhance watershed health by restoring forests and implementing soil and water best management practices across various land uses, effectively reducing erosion and sedimentation.
CONCLUSIONS 34 REFERENCES
Thesis successfully delineated the boundaries of the Dak Nong hydropower basin using automated methods based on digital elevation models (DEM) within ArcGIS software Additionally, by analyzing traffic, residential distribution, elevation, and slope maps with specialized software, the study developed a hierarchical map indicating the levels of difficulty in forest protection within the Dak Nong hydropower basin.
Combining forest inventory map and map of hierarchical difficulty levels for forest protection in the basin, has created:
(1) A map defining the K1 factor based forest status
(2) A map defining the K2 factor based on forest type
(3) A map defining the K3 factor according to the forest’s formative origin
A map illustrating the K4 factor, which is based on the difficulty level of forest protection, is essential for accurately assessing conservation efforts Using this map, we developed a comprehensive map of the synthetic K coefficient for the Dak Nong hydropower basin, integrating the component K coefficient This enables precise calculation of the payments for Payments for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) allocated to each forest plot within the basin, supporting targeted and effective forest management strategies.
Our digital mapping system comprehensively manages the watershed boundaries, land area, forest ownership, forest status, types, and formative origin Additionally, the platform aggregates the Payment for Forest Environmental Services (PFES) amounts for each forest plot, ensuring accurate data tracking and sustainable forest management.
1 Decree No.99/2010/ND-CP dated 24/9/2010 on the policy on payment for forest environment services
2 Circular No 34/2009 / TT-BNNPTNN, dated 10/6/2009 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on criteria for identification and classification of forest
3 Circular No 60/2012/TT- BNNPTNT on Methods of determining the forests area in the basin served payments for forest environmental services
4 Circular No 80/2011/TT-BNNPTNT on Methods guiding identification of payment for forest environmental services (PFES)
5 Phung Van Khoa, Pham Van Duan (2013), Xay dung ban do he so K phuc vu chi tra moi truong rung, Vietnam Journal of Forest Science No.2, Vietnamese Academy of
Pham Van Duan's 2012 master's thesis focused on developing a detailed forest inventory map from aerial photographs to accurately determine the K factor and calculate service discounts for forest ecosystems This research, conducted at Vietnam Forests University, provides valuable insights for sustainable forest management in Son Diem and Huong Son, Ha Tinh.
Ha Minh Tam (2013) đã tiến hành nghiên cứu xây dựng hệ thống theo dõi chất lượng và cơ chế chi trả dịch vụ môi trường rừng tại huyện Thường Xuân, tỉnh Thanh Hóa Nghiên cứu tập trung vào việc phát triển giải pháp quản lý hiệu quả các dịch vụ rừng, góp phần nâng cao nhận thức về bảo vệ môi trường và duy trì đa dạng sinh học địa phương Kết quả của đề tài giúp xây dựng các tiêu chuẩn đánh giá chất lượng dịch vụ rừng phù hợp với thực tế, đồng thời đề xuất các cơ chế thanh toán môi trường nhằm khuyến khích phát triển bền vững rừng tại khu vực.
Forestry Science thesis, Vietnam Forestry University
Pham Thu Thuy, Karen Bennett, Vu Tan Phuong, Jake Brunner, Le Ngoc Dung, and Nguyen Dinh Tien (2013) explore the implementation of payments for forest environmental services in Vietnam, highlighting the transition from policy frameworks to practical application Their study, titled "Payments for Forest Environmental Services in Vietnam: From Policy to Practice," published as CIFOR Occasional Paper 93, emphasizes the challenges and opportunities in establishing effective PES schemes The authors analyze how policy interventions aim to incentivize sustainable forest management, addressing both ecological and socio-economic impacts across Vietnam This comprehensive research provides valuable insights into the successes and obstacles faced in operationalizing environmental service payments within the country's forestry sector.