Mndeme, Diana Rugaitika2020-04-162020-04-162016Mndeme, D. R. (2016) The impacts of payment for environmental services (pes) on communities’ livelihoods: the case of Uluguru Mountains, Morogoro region, Doctoral dissertation, University of Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaamhttp://41.86.178.5:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9514Available in print form, East Africana Collection, Dr. Wilbert Chagula Library, Class mark (THS EAF S934.T34M62)This study assessed the impacts of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) on the communities’ livelihoods. Techniques of data collection included documentary review, survey, focus group discussions and physical observation. DFID Sustainable Livelihood Approach (SLA) was used to assess livelihoods while econometric STATA programme and MS – excel were used in the data analysis. Probit Model and Lorenz Curves were used to estimate the probabilities of change in livelihood and measure the income distribution among the communities respectively. Stimulation of agricultural activities (both farming and livestock keeping), protection of watershed and arable land through the implementation of sustainable land use practices and tree planting were among the impacts of PES on the environmental sellers’ livelihoods. However, shortage of food and loss of income during the preliminary stages of the scheme intervention, loss of certain crops and tenants’ insecurity of tenure were the negative impacts. Inconsistence in payments by environmental services’ buyers, lack of good markets for farm products and less/inaccessibility of the area were reported to be the main challenges during the intervention. The study recommended that infrastructure should be provided, reliable environmental service buyers and good markets for farm products should be identified before the taking off of the PES scheme. It concludes that if the identified weaknesses and challenges are worked on, PES can positively impact environmental services sellers’ livelihoods for sustainable natural resources conservations. It is a promising natural resources conservation mechanism in Tanzania.enConservation of natural resourceIncentivenes in conservation of material resourcePayment for ecosystem servicesForest managementFarm ProductsCommunity developmentUluguru MountainsMorogoro regionThesis