Exploring Plural Values of Ecosystem Services: Local Peoples’ Perceptions and Implications for Protected Area Management in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil

Marcondes G. Coelho-Junior, Athila L. de Oliveira, Eduardo C. da Silva-Neto, Thayanne C. Castor-Neto, Ana A. de O. Tavares, Vanessa M. Basso, Ana P. D. Turetta, Patricia E. Perkins and Acacio G. de Carvalho
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Marcondes G. Coelho-Junior: Graduate Program in Environmental and Forest Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica RJ 23897-000, Brazil
Athila L. de Oliveira: Graduate Program in Environmental and Forest Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica RJ 23897-000, Brazil
Eduardo C. da Silva-Neto: Graduate Program in Agronomy—Soil Science, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica RJ 23897-000, Brazil
Thayanne C. Castor-Neto: Graduate Program in Environmental and Forest Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica RJ 23897-000, Brazil
Ana A. de O. Tavares: Master Programme in Tropical Forestry, Technische Universität Dresden, 01062 Dresden, Germany
Vanessa M. Basso: Graduate Program in Environmental and Forest Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica RJ 23897-000, Brazil
Ana P. D. Turetta: Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (EMBRAPA Soils), Rio de Janeiro RJ 22460-000, Brazil
Patricia E. Perkins: Queen Elizabeth Scholars Network on Ecological Economics, Commons Governance, and Climate Justice, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
Acacio G. de Carvalho: Graduate Program in Environmental and Forest Sciences, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica RJ 23897-000, Brazil

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-19

Abstract: The remnants of the Atlantic Forest in Brazil are significant for biodiversity and provide benefits for people (climate regulation, water supply, health and welfare, among others). However, nature’s importance for different people may vary, for social, environmental, and economic reasons. In this paper, we explore such differences among people living in communities surrounding the Cunhambebe State Park (PEC), a large area of Atlantic Forest. We assess their perceptions regarding the plural values of ecosystem services derived from the PEC and explore ways in which this could affect the management of this protected area. Our assumption is that analyzing the perceptions of people who live in the communities surrounding can be a key tool for the formulation of proposals to improve management models and address socio-environmental conflicts. Based on interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, our results show a direct link between culture and environment since relational values and cultural ecosystem services are closely related to local people’s valuation of the PEC. Therefore, we support management strategies which are based on local values for land and forest use in a sustainable way. Our findings may contribute to decision making by PEC managers, governments, local stakeholders, and researchers.

Keywords: environmental management; community-based conservation; ecosystem services (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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