From Principles to Numbers: Approaches in Implementing Payments for Environmental Services (PES) in the Philippines - Smallholder Tree Growing for Rural Development and Environmental Services - page 373

17.3 Implementing the Tier System

17.3.1 The Use of Decision Trees

Figure 17.3 illustrates how the tier system can be used depending on which type of
information can be collected. This can be used by potential ES project developers
in determining the measurements needed to reach a certain tier level. It can also be
used by buyers to specify what tier level they require in order to make a purchase.

START

Can actual
measurements be
done? Is site
specific information
available?

Use Tier 3
Approach

Yes

No

Yes

Can simulation
models be used?

Use Tier 2 Approach

No

Can established
ecological principles
of local knowledge be
used?

Yes

Use Tier 1 Approach

No

No PES

Fig. 17.3 Decision tree for determining which tier to use in a PES project