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Prospects for Payments for Ecosystem Services in the Brazilian Pantanal: A Scenario Analysis

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Schulz, Christopher  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0206-2390
Ioris, AAR 
Martin-Ortega, J 
Glenk, K 

Abstract

jats:pThe present study investigates the prospects for a large-scale implementation of Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) schemes in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland. Despite increasing environmental threats associated with development pressures and the growing interest of public and private organizations, no PES schemes are currently in place in the Pantanal. Through an exploratory scenario analysis, this article determines the prospects for PES in the area. The findings suggest that a large-scale implementation is unlikely, as this would require much higher levels of environmental awareness among local decision makers and low substitution rates of ecosystem services by technology. Furthermore, strong socioeconomic inequality between inhabitants of the Pantanal lowlands and wealthy farmers of the neighboring uplands means that potential suppliers of ecosystem services would face very high opportunity costs to participate in PES schemes. The research findings are also relevant to other environmentally sensitive regions experiencing rapid economic growth and weak environmental regulation.</jats:p>

Description

Keywords

Pantanal, Payments for Ecosystem Services, scenario analysis, environmental conservation, regional development, Brazil

Journal Title

Journal of Environment and Development

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

1070-4965
1552-5465

Volume Title

24

Publisher

SAGE Publications