Prospects for the conservation within functional groups of medium and large mammals in relation to the contribution of payments for environmental services in the Atlantic Forest

• Grant number: 24/23365-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: December 01, 2025
• End date: November 30, 2029
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Milton Cezar Ribeiro
• Grantee: Daiana Jeronimo Polli
• 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

Payments for Environmental Services (PES) are strategic instruments for the sustainable management of ecosystems and biodiversity conservation, especially in the Atlantic Forest. Mammals perform essential ecosystem functions but are threatened by habitat fragmentation and degradation. The functional diversity of these species serves as a key indicator of ecological integrity and the effectiveness of initiatives such as PES. This study aims to: (1) assess the functional diversity and (2) the occupancy patterns within functional groups of mammals in areas with PES (focused on conservation and multiple uses), areas without PES, and Protected Areas (PAs); and (3) develop a strategic conservation plan in partnership with researchers, environmental agencies, and local producers. It is expected that functional diversity and occupancy patterns will be highest in PAs, followed by PES areas (conservation and multiple uses), and lowest in areas without PES. The strategic conservation plan is expected to identify priority areas, highlight the value of PES as a tool for maintaining ecological functions, and provide practical guidelines that integrate conservation and rural production. A total of 200 camera traps will be installed in areas of native vegetation and forest plantations for restoration and silviculture in the Paraíba Valley, São Paulo, with monitoring taking place between 2024 and 2025. he analyses will include the calculation of functional diversity metrics, with an emphasis on functional richness (FRic) and functional dispersion (FDis), whose relationship will allow inferences about patterns of functional redundancy within functional groups. Functional defaunation will also be assessed based on the absence or rarity of key species. In addition, multi-species occupancy models will be used, incorporating imperfect detectability and the influence of environmental variables. The results will support conservation strategies integrated with rural production and the development of public policies guided by scientific evidence. (AU)