摘要：Three case studies from Mexico are presented in which the impacts of the recent introduction of jatropha cultivationfor biodiesel production are examined. In Chiapas and Michoacan, local social and environmental impacts were assessed usinginterviews with key informants and questionnaires directed at three groups of stakeholders: jatropha cultivators, farmers in thesame areas who are not cultivating jatropha, and laborers on jatropha farms. Results show that the farmers are primarily motivatedto participate by the subsidies offered in a government program in the first 2 years, rather than any proven economic benefit.Our farm budget study indicated that profits would be marginal for these farmers. However, no cases of land alienation wereinvolved, and impacts on food security and deforestation are currently not significant. Employment opportunities for landlesslaborers have increased in areas where jatropha is now grown. The program is only in its third year currently, so these outcomeswould need to be reexamined as it develops. In Yucatan, production is mainly in the hands of commercial companies, usingestates formerly under low-intensity grazing and secondary forest. A carbon balance analysis indicated that there may be asignificant loss of carbon stocks associated with jatropha plantation establishment on these estates. Depending on the maturityof the forest regrowth and the intensity of jatropha production, the carbon payback period varies from 2 to 14 years, although,in some scenarios, the carbon debt may never be recovered
