Spatial targeting approach for a payment for ecosystem services scheme in a peri-urban wellhead area in southeastern Brazil

Abstract

Abstract In recent years, payments for ecosystem services (PES) have emerged as a form of financing for the conservation of natural resources, compensating landowners that generate positive environmental externalities. For the PES design process, the spatial targeting approach for identifying priority areas aiming at the environmental recovery and preservation is essential for the efficient allocation of limited financial resources. In this sense, the present work aims to spatially identify priority areas for the implementation of PES schemes, with emphasis on the conservation of water resources, using as case study the Feijao River watershed (FRW), the primary water source for the city of Sao Carlos-SP, Brazil. For such, we performed a multicriteria evaluation in geographic information system (GIS) environment for mapping priority areas for forest restoration based on relevant criteria for the provision of hydrological services. We then cross-referenced the resulted information plan with estimated opportunity costs for compensating landowners in order to identify higher restoration priorities associated with low cost sites for PES implementation. The results show that 25.6% of the eligible areas have very high priority to forest restoration and are located mainly along the Feijao River watercourse, in direct recharge areas of the Guarani Aquifer System and with predominance of pasture and sugarcane uses, the main driving forces of erosion processes in the watershed. Among the agricultural activities, livestock presented the lowest opportunity cost (US$ 57.91 ha−1.year−1), and 99 rural properties with areas of interest for PES schemes were identified (3.7% of the watershed area), corresponding in full to the payment amount of US$ 52,018.08 per year to producers. Finally, the use of multicriteria evaluation combined with economic analysis of land use presented as a flexible and straightforward methodological approach, whose results can support further watershed planning and management.