Abstract
Ecosystem services (ES) are the benefits that human populations derive from nature. This definition of ES adopted by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, classified them into four categories: provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting services. I studied hydrological ES in Mexico, specifically the provision of water quality enhancement. I used qualitative, quantitative and spatial analytical approaches to address some of the policy questions that are relevant for the provision of water quality enhancement, centered on institutional and biophysical dimensions. I present how the effectiveness of already implemented environmental policies, such as payments for ES schemes (PES) designed to conserve hydrological ES in Mexico can provide insights into the next steps necessary to improve outcomes for community participation, institutional design, monitoring and compliance. I identified appropriate methods for water quality enhancement planning and monitoring in order to enhance monitoring outcomes of PES schemes. I spatially oriented water quality-related ES as a mechanism to visualize areas of priority conservation for provision of multiple water quality-related ES. My research also provides evidence for the role of the vegetation at the landscape and riparian buffer scale in the provision of water quality, shedding light on the relationship between vegetation cover and surface water chemistry. Finally, I identified the conservation status of riparian areas based on vegetation classifications that could be used as a proxy for the provision of water quality enhancement. This research will provide mechanisms and guidance to improve ES management implemented in Mexico and elsewhere.