Positive effects of an Atlantic forest program of payment for ecosystem services on native vegetation and pasture quality

In recent decades, Brazil has implemented several payments for ecosystem services (PES) programs, including the Projeto Conexão Mata Atlântica (PCMA), a partnership between the Brazilian federal government, the states of São Paulo, Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro and the Global Environmental Facility. The PCMA was co-designed by state organizations with many stakeholders, including landowners. The innovative polycentric approach of the program prompted exploration of different schemes, including one to conserve and restore natural vegetation cover (‘protection scheme’) and another to enhance the multi-functionality of individual properties with focus on pasture quality (‘multiple-use scheme’). Using a propensity score matching approach, we assessed the PCMA’s effects on natural vegetation cover and pasture quality of private rural properties that did and did not participate in this PES program between 2017 and 2022. Properties participating in the ‘protection scheme’ exhibited an average ‘additional’ increase in natural vegetation cover of 1 ha compared to non-participants. Properties participating in the ‘multiple-use scheme’ exhibited 7–10% less pasture quality degradation. These results suggest that the PCMA not have only contributed to maintaining and even increasing ecosystem services (through increases in natural vegetation), but also potentially creating economic benefits by enhancing pasture quality which indirectly improves soil conservation and water quality.