DEVELOPMENT OF METRICS TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS AND BENEFIT OF PAYMENT FOR ECOSYSTEM SERVICES (PSA) AND OTHER SUSTAINABILITY POLICY INITIATIVES ON MULTI-DIMENSIONS WITHIN ATLANTIC FOREST

• Grant number: 24/08355-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: February 01, 2025
• End date: January 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Agricultural Engineering - Soil and Water Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Milton Cezar Ribeiro
• Grantee: Gabriel Vasco
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biociências (IB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/10195-0 - Contribution of payment for ecosystem services on multi-dimensions within Atlantic Forest, AP.TEM

Abstract

The conversion of natural vegetation to agricultural usage has had a detrimental effect on biodiversity and ecosystem services, which in turn has damaged human well-being in areas including fiber production, climate regulation, food and water security, and aesthetic qualities. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) - which included the Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) initiatives - have gained widespread prominence as a flagship solution for ecological challenges and attracts multi-billion-dollar annual investments. The Atlantic Forest Connection Project, an initiative led by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Brazilian National Government, the São Paulo State Infrastructure and Environment Secretariat (SIMA/SP), and the São Paulo State Funding Agency (FAPESP) has implemented policy initiatives aiming at environmental, social and economic sustainability. The initiatives have included Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES), Organic Agriculture Certification and Sustainable Value Chains, among others. Therefore, the establishment of efficient monitoring metrics to evaluate PES programs and other public policy initiatives is essential to ensure successful results, as well as the engagement of farmers in these programs over time. This post-doctoral research proposal aims to develop a set of metrics to evaluate the effectiveness and benefits of PES programs and other sustainability policy initiatives already implemented, across multi-dimensions in the Atlantic Forest, as detailed in the six (6) objectives of the FAPESP thematic project: 2021/10195-0.