Abstract
The 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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 26 - 53 |
Number of pages | 28 |
Journal | Journal of Environment and Development |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | First published - 17 Sep 2014 |
Keywords
- Brazil
- Environmental conservation
- Pantanal
- Payments for ecosystem services
- Regional development
- Scenario analysis