Rapid Agro-Biodiversity Appraisal (RABA): in the context of Environmental Services Rewards

With rapid deforestation across the tropics, biodiversity loss is a global concern. Until recently, most biodiversity conservation approaches were based on a spatial segregation of functions and was focused on 'protected areas ' plus 'intensive agriculture'. The results of such endeavors, however, remain less than satisfactory. A second approach is based on 'integration ' of functions and on maintaining substantial
biodiversity productive landscapes. A combination of the two approaches is most likely to achieve the joint goals but it includes 'integrated' systems where the 'conservation' and 'economic development' goals compete. Specific incentives that represent the 'conservation' stakeholders may be needed to keep the 'conservation' aspect of these systems in the land managers' attention.