A hybrid optimization-agent-based model of REDD+ payments to households on an old deforestation frontier in the Brazilian Amazon

REDD+ was initially conceived of as a multi-level carbon-based payment for environmental services (PES). It is still often assumed to be a cost-effective climate change mitigation strategy, but this assumption is mostly based on theoretical studies and static opportunity cost calculations. We used s...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inEnvironmental modelling & software : with environment data news Vol. 100; pp. 159 - 174
Main Authors West, Thales A.P., Grogan, Kelly A., Swisher, Marilyn E., Caviglia-Harris, Jill L., Sills, Erin, Harris, Daniel, Roberts, Dar, Putz, Francis E.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2018
Elsevier Science Ltd
Subjects
Agent-based modeling
Agent-based models
Carbon
Climate change
Climate change mitigation
Computer simulation
Deforestation
Economic conditions
Farm household
Households
Land use
Land-use/cover change
Mathematical models
Optimal control
Optimization
Payments
Payments for environmental services
REDD
Socioeconomic factors
Brazil
Payments for environmental services
Agent-based modeling
REDD
Land-use/cover change
Optimal control
Farm household
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

More Information
Summary:REDD+ was initially conceived of as a multi-level carbon-based payment for environmental services (PES). It is still often assumed to be a cost-effective climate change mitigation strategy, but this assumption is mostly based on theoretical studies and static opportunity cost calculations. We used spatial and socioeconomic datasets from an Amazonian deforestation frontier in Brazil to construct a simulation model of REDD + payments to households that can be used to assess REDD + interventions. Our SimREDD + model consists of dynamic optimization and land-use/cover change allocation submodels built into an agent-based model platform. The model assumes that households maximize profit under perfect market conditions and calculates the optimal household land-use/cover configuration at equilibrium under a given REDD + PES scenario. These scenarios include PES based on (1) forest area and (2) carbon stocks. Insights gained from simulations under different conditions can assist in the design of more effective, efficient, and equitable REDD + programs. •Model calibration and validation were based on socioeconomic data from settlements.•SimREDD+ assumes that households maximize profit under perfect market conditions.•REDD+ payments are based on (1) forest area or (2) additional carbon stocks.•SimREDD+ can assist in the design of more effective and efficient REDD+ programs.
ISSN:1364-8152
1873-6726
DOI:10.1016/j.envsoft.2017.11.007