A NEW CONTRIBUTION TO MULTICRITERIA ANALYSIS OF RURAL PROPERTY ELIGIBILITY FOR PAYMENTS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES

Abstract

Payment for Environmental Services (PES) is a key instrument for conserving Ecosystem Services (ES) on rural properties. Implementing PES programs across large jurisdictions requires rigorous and transparent methods for selecting eligible areas and landowners. Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA), often integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is widely used for this purpose. However, MCDA faces persistent challenges, including subjectivity in weight definition, limited replicability, and the underutilization of publicly available geospatial information such as the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR). Consequently, literature still lacks a robust framework capable of combining MCDA’s transparency with optimized GIS procedures to generate objective and scalable eligibility indices, reinforcing the need for clearer and more reproducible PES eligibility standards. This study presents a methodological proposal to determine the eligibility of rural properties for PES within sub-watersheds using MCDA. The highest eligibility levels were observed in properties with well-preserved areas, especially conserved Permanent Preservation Areas (PPAs), high densities of springs, and proximity to priority conservation zones, which together represented 4.83% of the total area. In contrast, the lowest eligibility levels occurred in regions dominated by intensive land use, pastures, agriculture and in areas distant from preservation zones, with 26.73% and 17.19% classified as “Very Low” and “Low,” respectively. In total, 134 properties were included in the final analysis, showing diverse land-use patterns and distinct contributions to conservation. The proposed methodology proved effective and replicable, offering a solid basis for prioritizing rural properties in PES programs. Other ecoregions in Brazil can adapt this framework to strengthen environmental policies, support sustainable economic development, and ensure alignment between territorial management and long-term environmental conservation objectives.