Land Management Targeting Hydrologic Ecosystem Services: Studies in the Panama Canal Watershed

We recently completed a multi-year study that focused on the following question: Can land management the Panama Canal Watershed (PCW) maximize long-term hydro-ecological benefits such as increased dry season water yield, reduced peak stormflows, and reduced sediment deliveries? We identified and quantified the hydro-socio-economic benefits of different payments for ecosystem services schemes. To achieve this goal our research staff monitored rainfall/runoff and geochemistry using hydrometric sensors and performed detailed in-situ studies of soils and their hydraulic behavior across a variety of land covers using research infrastructure provided by the Panama Canal Authority, Panamanian Ministry of the Environment, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. Results of these detailed hydro-ecological studies were used to develop catchment-scale hydrologic models that demonstrated high skill at predicting the rainfall/runoff/baseflow response of catchmetns with different land covers and land use histories. Surveys of landholders in the PCW allowed evaluation of factors affecting the choice to participate and the socio-economic benfits to participation in land management programs in one of the most economically important watersheds throughout the tropics. Results of our study show the relative benefits of different land management strategies aimed at improved hydrological ecosystem services that promote the sustainability of the Panama Canal watershed, and similar, steep, seasonal, lowlands watersheds in other tropical settings.