The resources in this section are intended to help legislators implement legislation which puts a value on the “ecosystem services” provided by forests and other natural resources.  They consist of:

• A Parliamentary Toolkit detailing how the Costa Rican legislation* on payment for ecosystem services was brought about, and how it works. This Toolkit was produced for us by the World Resources Institute.


• Key sections of the Costa Rican legislation.


• Model Terms of Reference* to help a Parliament or Parliamentary Committee to establish a study group on how forest incentives can be strengthened in their country, drawing on best practice from around the world.


• Hearing Reports, including the PowerPoint presentations given by experts attending our two international Parliamentary hearings on ecosystems management. The first was in South Africa in April 2008* and featured a variety of different ecosystems. The second was at Guacimo in Costa Rica in June 2009* and focused on forests.


• A briefing paper* giving an overview on protection of a number of different ecosystems: drylands, wetlands, marine and forests.


• Links. We have started a links page where legislators can find further useful information on forest protection and ecosystems management on the websites of other organisations.