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Bridging the divide: reconciling stakeholder values for payment for ecosystem services

2026-06-01T05:44:38Z

Title: Bridging the divide: reconciling stakeholder values for payment for ecosystem services Authors: Partheepan, Kulasegaram; Musthafa, Muneeb M.; Bhavan, Thangamani; Murgante, Beniamino Abstract: Coastal lagoons are vital and productive ecosystems globally. However, recent anthropogenic pressures have substantially degraded these environments. The sustainability of lagoon resources critically depends on stakeholder engagement. Employing a choice experiment, this study quantifies the divergent preferences of key stakeholder groups–fishermen, tourists, and flood-affected residents–for preservation versus degradation scenarios in Sri Lanka's Batticaloa Lagoon. The survey targeted stakeholders using stratified sampling and reached 405 participants in the Batticaloa Lagoon Watershed. The analysis further assessed local perceptions of degradation and stakeholders' compensation expectations (WTA). The Choice Experiment and multinomial logit model identified significant conflicts between conservation valuations and compensation expectations. This novel empirical application directly compares within-subject Willingness-to-Pay and WTA measures, revealing significant valuation asymmetries that complicate Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) design. These results provide empirical evidence of pronounced preference diversity among lagoon users in the study area. This study argues that management decisions must account for heterogeneous stakeholder valuations, rather than universal conservation ideals. The findings demonstrate the inevitability of one-size-fits-all PES policy failure and propose a differentiated PES framework with tailored incentives for fishermen, tourists, and flood-affected residents.

Ergonomic evaluation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in informal work on fish vendors in Ampara, Sri Lanka

2026-05-12T09:35:06Z

Title: Ergonomic evaluation of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in informal work on fish vendors in Ampara, Sri Lanka Authors: Mohamed Thariq, M. G.; Safna; Nikzaad, R. M. Abstract: Introduction: Fish vending, an informal work, is expected to cause WMSDs due to prolonged standing, shoulder elevation, bending and twisting, repetitiveness and high physical activities. The study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of WMSDs and the associated factors among fish vendors. Methods: In a cross sectional study, 202 fish vendors were selected using simple random sampling technique with face to face interview to solicit data on working conditions and WMSDs in the coastal areas of the Ampara district during June to August 2022. Fish vendors were video recorded for postural analysis using RULA. Results: The WMSDs among fish vendors in neck, shoulder, upper back, lower back, elbow wrist, hip, knee and feet were 52%, 55%, 53.3%, 49.1%, 52%, 65.3%, 56%, 57.4% and 46% respectively. The final RULA score of 7 was obtained for 56% of fish vendors. The awkward working posture was significantly associated with WMSD in wrist while heavy lifting was associated with WMSDs in neck. The humidity was significantly associated with WMSDs in shoulder, lower back and knees and thermal comfort was significantly associated with WMSDs in lower back and knees. The age and experience significantly associated with WMSDs in all the body regions investigated. Conclusion: The majority of fish vendors had WMSDs in different body regions. The awkward posture, heavy lifting, age, experience, humidity and thermal comfort were associated with WMSDS. Fish vendors are required to use a recommended size of boxes to lift and carry fish and to have correct standing work surface height and also to use knife designed with proper weight, handle size and shape.

Changing Characteristics of Goat Farming Practices in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka

2026-05-12T09:34:41Z

Title: Changing Characteristics of Goat Farming Practices in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka Authors: M Thariq, M. G.; Dayananthan, P. Abstract: Purpose: In rural areas, most goat farmers keep various breeds under different farming systems, subject to change based on seasons, grazing resource availability, and government breeding policies. This study aimed to investigate the evolving characteristics of goat farming practices in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka, which hosts a large goat population. Research Method: A total of 266 goat farmers were randomly selected from all veterinary divisions in the Eastern Province with the assistance of local veterinary offices. Data were collected from each farmer using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire administered through face-to-face interviews, supplemented by farm visits and observations. The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Review Committee (ERC/FT/2022/09). The collected data were tabulated and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The data was tabulated and analyzed using MS Excel. The results were then compared with existing literature to identify and explore recent changes in farming practices. Findings and Values: Most of the goat farmers were male (92%), had primary or secondary education (75%), and were self-employed (75.8%) rearing goats at a subsistence level. The breed composition changed with the introduction of Jamnapari (45%) and Saanen (6.9%) breeds. Whereas, rearing goats for meat production (98.1%) remained unchanged. A majority of farmers (54%) had adopted a semi-intensive system, representing a shift from the previously dominant extensive system. Farmers adapt their feeding methods based on grazing resource availability, often adopting short-term, seasonally-dependent intensification strategies. These findings indicate that goat farming continues to coexist with the prevailing ecosystem as a sustainable production entity, albeit with evolving characteristics. These evolving characteristics, namely breed composition and farming systems, driven by policy and resource availability are critical for farmers and relevant authorities to inform field-level decision-making.

Cattle farming practices, trait preferences and breeding failures in smallholder cattle farming in Hambantota, Sri Lanka

2026-05-12T09:33:52Z

Title: Cattle farming practices, trait preferences and breeding failures in smallholder cattle farming in Hambantota, Sri Lanka Authors: Mohamed Thariq, Mohamed Gazzaly; Pathiranage, Gayani Malka Vidana; Hussain, Tanveer Abstract: Cattle productivity can be significantly enhanced through breed improvement, but farmers’ trait preferences must be considered when improving the genetic make-up of local cattle breeds. This study investigated the breeding practices, trait preferences, and factors contributing to breeding failures among cattle farmers in the Hambantota district, Sri Lanka. Data were collected using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire administered to 200 randomly selected smallholder cattle farmers from all the veterinary regions in the Hambantota district. The analysis revealed that 52 %, 34 % and 14 % of the farmers had an extensive, semi-intensive or an intensive farming system, respectively. All the famers (99.5 %) practised crossbreeding system while natural service was the predominant breeding method. Traits i.e., milk yield, body size, calf survival, heat tolerance, disease and tick resistance, and calving interval affected (p<0.001) the selection of a cattle breed with the highest mean ranking value for milk yield. Feed shortage, harsh environmental conditions, improper application of artificial insemination, inadequate housing, predator attacks, poor veterinary services, limited knowledge in breeding and heat sign detection contributed to breeding failures (p<0.001). In the extensive and semi-intensive systems, feed scarcity, harsh environmental conditions, and predator attacks contributing to breeding failures are inherent in rural smallholder cattle production in Hambantota district. The study recommends that future cattle breeding programmes need to prioritise milk yield without compromising body size, calf survival, heat tolerance, disease and tick resistance, and calving interval. Regular and expanded veterinary services also need to be prioritised.