Policy development to support ecosystem services on pasture systems in Saskatchewan: A case study

Grasslands provide a wide variety of public and private environmental benefits arising from ecosystem services. At the same time, grassland ecosystems are being irreversibly altered. To protect grassland ecosystems and services, many policies have been introduced to encourage private grassland owners and users to adopt management practices to conserve and enhance ecosystem services. However, because such practices are largely voluntary, they are only effective if private ranchers and landowners opt in. The purpose of this case study was to identify acceptable and cost-effective policy tools to increase the provision of ecosystem services on Saskatchewan grasslands. A sample of Saskatchewan ranchers were surveyed to investigate their opinions and attitudes toward ecosystem services produced by grasslands, preferred policy parameters associated with grassland enhancement, and willingness-to-accept (WTA) to forego production in return for grassland conservation. The results indicated Saskatchewan ranchers place positive value on ecosystem services, but would require incentives ranging between $34.83 and $42.58 per acre ($86.06 and $105.21 per hectare) to compensate for a 10 % loss in production associated with increasing grassland conservation. Additionally, ranchers prefer policy options most closely aligned with their values indicating that conservation practices that enhance water quality and wildlife/ habitat were far preferred to carbon sequestration. Results have implications for policy options and grassland conservation, particularly in a time where public grasslands in Saskatchewan have been privatized.

Automated summary

Grasslands provide valuable environmental benefits, but are facing irreversible alterations. To protect grassland ecosystems, policies should incentivize private ranchers and landowners to adopt conservation practices. A survey of Saskatchewan ranchers revealed their positive perceptions of ecosystem services, but highlighted the need for economic compensation for production loss. Additionally, ranchers showed a preference for water quality and wildlife/habitat conservation policies.