IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/ecoser/v74y2025ics2212041625000385.html

Measuring the natural capital of Amazonian forests: A case study of the National Forest of Carajás, Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Giannini, Tereza Cristina
  • Andrino, Caroline Oliveira
  • Barbosa-Silva, Rafael Gomes
  • Bitencourt, José A.
  • Borges, Rafael C.
  • Brito, Renata R.
  • Cavalcante, Rosane
  • Costa, Claudia P.W.
  • Dantas, Sidnei
  • Gastauer, Markus
  • Gomes, Vitor F.
  • Maia, Ulysses M.
  • Martello, Felipe
  • Miranda, Leonardo
  • Nunes, Sâmia
  • Oliveira, Guilherme
  • Paracampo, Amanda
  • Pontes, Paulo R.
  • Ramos, Silvio
  • Santos, José E.
  • Silveira, Orlando T.
  • Tedeschi, Renata
  • Valadares, Rafael B.
  • Viana, Pedro
  • Biesmeijer, Jacobus

Abstract

We propose an innovative approach that links nature and people to assess the natural capital of tropical forests in the Amazon. Our study location is a protected area inside Eastern Amazon forest, where we defined 14 sampling points and analyzed ten components, which encompass the maintenance of standing forests (nature to itself) and the provision of ecosystem services (nature to people). Five components were used to assess ecosystem functions and five components were used to assess ecosystem services. As for ecosystem functions, we registered 467 species of animals (122 bees, 53 butterflies, 292 birds) and 418 plant species, and a mean interaction diversity of 2.8 (from 480 bee-plant interactions). Based on functional traits, we found that at least 83 % of species must be preserved to guarantee resilience, and that functional diversity relies on 60 % of non-replaceable species. Eleven per cent of birds and 9 % of plants are endangered. As for ecosystem services, carbon storage in soil and vegetation is 41.6 and 173 MgC/ha (on average), respectively. One to four uses by Amazonian traditional communities were reported on 42 % of plants. In the vicinities of the protected area, we found that 66 % of crops (13 from 20 crop species) depend on pollinating bees, and the value of annual crop pollination service is US$4.5Mi. Regarding water protection and local climate regulation, data modelling has shown that the presence of protected forests leads to a 21 % increase in evapotranspiration and a decrease in temperature of 0.4 °C. Our framework showed a clear link between the megadiversity found in Amazonian tropical forest and the robust benefits provided to human welfare, highlighting forest conservation as a key element for sustainable development. Advances in understanding the value of forests stimulate significant new opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of forest conservation and management policies and decision-making.

Suggested Citation

  • Giannini, Tereza Cristina & Andrino, Caroline Oliveira & Barbosa-Silva, Rafael Gomes & Bitencourt, José A. & Borges, Rafael C. & Brito, Renata R. & Cavalcante, Rosane & Costa, Claudia P.W. & Dantas, S, 2025. "Measuring the natural capital of Amazonian forests: A case study of the National Forest of Carajás, Brazil," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoser:v:74:y:2025:i:c:s2212041625000385
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2025.101734
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212041625000385
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.ecoser.2025.101734?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eric A. Davidson & Alessandro C. de Araújo & Paulo Artaxo & Jennifer K. Balch & I. Foster Brown & Mercedes M. C. Bustamante & Michael T. Coe & Ruth S. DeFries & Michael Keller & Marcos Longo & J. Will, 2012. "Correction: Corrigendum: The Amazon basin in transition," Nature, Nature, vol. 483(7388), pages 232-232, March.
    2. Gollier, Christian, 2019. "Valuation of natural capital under uncertain substitutability," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 54-66.
    3. Lienhoop, Nele & Schröter-Schlaack, Christoph, 2018. "Involving multiple actors in ecosystem service governance: Exploring the role of stated preference valuation," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 34(PB), pages 181-188.
    4. de Groot, Rudolf S. & Wilson, Matthew A. & Boumans, Roelof M. J., 2002. "A typology for the classification, description and valuation of ecosystem functions, goods and services," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 41(3), pages 393-408, June.
    5. Fleming, Aysha & O'Grady, Anthony P. & Stitzlein, Cara & Ogilvy, Sue & Mendham, Daniel & Harrison, Matthew T., 2022. "Improving acceptance of natural capital accounting in land use decision making: Barriers and opportunities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    6. Missemer, Antoine, 2018. "Natural Capital as an Economic Concept, History and Contemporary Issues," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 90-96.
    7. Costanza, Robert, 2020. "Valuing natural capital and ecosystem services toward the goals of efficiency, fairness, and sustainability," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 43(C).
    8. Georgina M Mace, 2019. "The ecology of natural capital accounting," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 35(1), pages 54-67.
    9. Leach, Katie & Grigg, Annelisa & O'Connor, Brian & Brown, Claire & Vause, James & Gheyssens, Jonathan & Weatherdon, Lauren & Halle, Martin & Burgess, Neil D. & Fletcher, Ruth & Bekker, Sebastian & Kin, 2019. "A common framework of natural capital assets for use in public and private sector decision making," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 1-1.
    10. Unai Pascual & William M. Adams & Sandra Díaz & Sharachchandra Lele & Georgina M. Mace & Esther Turnhout, 2021. "Biodiversity and the challenge of pluralism," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(7), pages 567-572, July.
    11. Daniela A Miteva, 2019. "The integration of natural capital into development policies," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 35(1), pages 162-181.
    12. Edward B Barbier, 2019. "The concept of natural capital," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 35(1), pages 14-36.
    13. Edens, Bram & Hein, Lars, 2013. "Towards a consistent approach for ecosystem accounting," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 41-52.
    14. Bernardo M. Flores & Encarni Montoya & Boris Sakschewski & Nathália Nascimento & Arie Staal & Richard A. Betts & Carolina Levis & David M. Lapola & Adriane Esquível-Muelbert & Catarina Jakovac & Carlo, 2024. "Critical transitions in the Amazon forest system," Nature, Nature, vol. 626(7999), pages 555-564, February.
    15. Rafael Melo de Brito & Valente José Matlaba & Vera Lúcia Imperatriz-Fonseca & Tereza Cristina Giannini, 2020. "Perception of Nature’s Contributions to People in Rural Communities in the Eastern Amazon," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-21, September.
    16. Eric A. Davidson & Alessandro C. de Araújo & Paulo Artaxo & Jennifer K. Balch & I. Foster Brown & Mercedes M. C. Bustamante & Michael T. Coe & Ruth S. DeFries & Michael Keller & Marcos Longo & J. Will, 2012. "The Amazon basin in transition," Nature, Nature, vol. 481(7381), pages 321-328, January.
    17. Harrison, P.A. & Berry, P.M. & Simpson, G. & Haslett, J.R. & Blicharska, M. & Bucur, M. & Dunford, R. & Egoh, B. & Garcia-Llorente, M. & Geamănă, N. & Geertsema, W. & Lommelen, E. & Meiresonne, L. & T, 2014. "Linkages between biodiversity attributes and ecosystem services: A systematic review," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 9(C), pages 191-203.
    18. Ian J. Bateman & Georgina M. Mace, 2020. "The natural capital framework for sustainably efficient and equitable decision making," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(10), pages 776-783, October.
    19. Unai Pascual & Patricia Balvanera & Christopher B. Anderson & Rebecca Chaplin-Kramer & Michael Christie & David González-Jiménez & Adrian Martin & Christopher M. Raymond & Mette Termansen & Arild Vatn, 2023. "Diverse values of nature for sustainability," Nature, Nature, vol. 620(7975), pages 813-823, August.
    20. Bagstad, Kenneth J. & Ingram, Jane Carter & Shapiro, Carl D. & La Notte, Alessandra & Maes, Joachim & Vallecillo, Sara & Casey, C. Frank & Glynn, Pierre D. & Heris, Mehdi P. & Johnson, Justin A. & Lau, 2021. "Lessons learned from development of natural capital accounts in the United States and European Union," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Burdon, D. & Barnard, S. & Strong, J.A. & Atkins, J.P., 2024. "Linking marine habitats and economic values: A spatial scaling methodology for valuing societal benefits," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    2. Ioannis Souliotis & Nikolaos Voulvoulis, 2021. "Natural Capital Accounting Informing Water Management Policies in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-24, October.
    3. Kubiszewski, Ida & Concollato, Luke & Costanza, Robert & Stern, David I., 2023. "Changes in authorship, networks, and research topics in ecosystem services," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    4. Andrew M. Neill & Cathal O’Donoghue & Jane C. Stout, 2020. "A Natural Capital Lens for a Sustainable Bioeconomy: Determining the Unrealised and Unrecognised Services from Nature," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-24, September.
    5. Ferreira, João J. & Lopes, João M. & Gomes, Sofia & Nogueira, Elisabete & Dabić, Marina, 2024. "Nature's safecrackers: Decoding substitutability and protecting natural capital in innovation ecosystems SSA and MENA regions," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 3(4).
    6. Dieter Helm, 2019. "Natural capital: assets, systems, and policies," Oxford Review of Economic Policy, Oxford University Press and Oxford Review of Economic Policy Limited, vol. 35(1), pages 1-13.
    7. Fleming, Aysha & O'Grady, Anthony P. & Stitzlein, Cara & Ogilvy, Sue & Mendham, Daniel & Harrison, Matthew T., 2022. "Improving acceptance of natural capital accounting in land use decision making: Barriers and opportunities," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    8. Yanjie Jiang & Xiaodi Ding, 2025. "Exploring the Nexus Between Ecosystem Services and Economic Sustainability: A Stakeholder Perspective," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(3), pages 3639-3658, May.
    9. Bordt, Michael, 2018. "Discourses in Ecosystem Accounting: A Survey of the Expert Community," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 144(C), pages 82-99.
    10. Hackbart, Vivian C.S. & de Lima, Guilherme T.N.P. & dos Santos, Rozely F., 2017. "Theory and practice of water ecosystem services valuation: Where are we going?," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 218-227.
    11. Baffour-Kyei, Vasco & Mensah, Amos & Owusu, Victor & Horlu, Godwin S.A.K., 2021. "Artisanal small-scale mining and livelihood assets in rural southern Ghana," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    12. Daniels, Silvie & Bellmore, J. Ryan & Benjamin, Joseph R. & Witters, Nele & Vangronsveld, Jaco & Van Passel, Steven, 2018. "Quantification of the Indirect Use Value of Functional Group Diversity Based on the Ecological Role of Species in the Ecosystem," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 181-194.
    13. Sandra O. Camara-Brugger & Heinz Wanner & Erika Gobet & Willy Tinner & Margit Schwikowski, 2025. "Monsoon-driven teleconnections between Holocene fire activity in Central Asian and Neotropical ecosystems," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 178(4), pages 1-17, April.
    14. Comte, Adrien & Sylvie Campagne, C. & Lange, Sabine & Bruzón, Adrián García & Hein, Lars & Santos-Martín, Fernando & Levrel, Harold, 2022. "Ecosystem accounting: Past scientific developments and future challenges," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 58(C).
    15. Conceição, Katyanne V. & Chaves, Michel E.D. & Picoli, Michelle C.A. & Sánchez, Alber H. & Soares, Anderson R. & Mataveli, Guilherme A.V. & Silva, Daniel E. & Costa, Joelma S. & Camara, Gilberto, 2021. "Government policies endanger the indigenous peoples of the Brazilian Amazon," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    16. da Silva, Israel W.H. & Marques, Thiago V. & Urbano, Stela A. & Mendes, Keila R. & Oliveira, Ane Caroline C.F. & Nascimento, Fábio da S. & de Morais, Leonardo Fiusa & Pereira, Waldeir dos S. & Mutti, , 2024. "Meteorological and biophysical controls of evapotranspiration in tropical grazed pasture under rainfed conditions," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    17. Aulicino, Giuseppe & Cesarano, Cinzia & Zerrouki, Mohamed & Ruiz, Simon & Budillon, Giorgio & Cotroneo, Yuri, 2021. "On the use of ABACUS high resolution glider observations for the assessment of phytoplankton ocean biomass from CMEMS model products," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 455(C).
    18. Yanfeng Wang & Ping Huang, 2022. "Potential fire risks in South America under anthropogenic forcing hidden by the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    19. Häyhä, Tiina & Franzese, Pier Paolo & Paletto, Alessandro & Fath, Brian D., 2015. "Assessing, valuing, and mapping ecosystem services in Alpine forests," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 14(C), pages 12-23.
    20. Prieur, Jacques, 2020. "Critical warning! Preventing the multidimensional apocalypse on planet Earth," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:ecoser:v:74:y:2025:i:c:s2212041625000385. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/ecosystem-services .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.