IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/lauspo/v154y2025ics0264837725000936.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The role of farmer’s resources, capabilities and perceptions on reforestation and forest cover in the Atlantic Forest

Author

Listed:
  • Nardy, Júlia Ramos
  • Duden, Anna
  • Martensen, Alexandre Camargo
  • Henkens, Kène
  • Verweij, Pita
  • Verburg, René

Abstract

In the context of the UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030), insights are urgently needed on how to engage land users in reforestation efforts. This study examined the resources, capabilities and perspectives of land users, i.e., farmers, in relation to reforestation in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF), an ecoregion that hosts 70 % of the Brazilian population while is also a biodiversity hotspot with only 28 % of native vegetation cover remaining. 78 % of the territory of this ecoregion is occupied by rural private properties, indicating the importance of on-farm forest restoration. We studied the pathways of how variation in forest cover can be explained by farmers’ perceptions of incentives, like pro-nature attitudes, and farmers’ resources and capabilities to engage in reforestation. Data were collected through a quantitative survey involving 257 farmers and their properties and forest cover derived from geo-spatial imagery. Using multiple regression models that underlie a path analysis, we found small and non-significant effects of both positive and negative perceptions of farmers on forest cover, but in combination with farmers’ resources and capabilities, these models could explain up to 36 % of variation on forest cover. The capability “slope”, as a proxy for production suitability, and the resource “farm size”, as a proxy for available capital, were always highly positively associated with forest cover in the models excluding and including farmers’ perceptions. These results highlight that reforestation decision making of farmers is complex and should be assessed accordingly, since it does not only regard the perceptions of the forest itself, but also the available resources and capabilities for restoration. Forest conservation and restoration initiatives can benefit from considering the variables assessed in this study; resources, capabilities, and perceptions of incentives and pro-nature motivation, while potential solutions, such as positive policy mechanisms, need to consider the heterogeneity of land and different types of landowners.

Suggested Citation

  • Nardy, Júlia Ramos & Duden, Anna & Martensen, Alexandre Camargo & Henkens, Kène & Verweij, Pita & Verburg, René, 2025. "The role of farmer’s resources, capabilities and perceptions on reforestation and forest cover in the Atlantic Forest," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:lauspo:v:154:y:2025:i:c:s0264837725000936
    DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107559
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264837725000936
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.landusepol.2025.107559?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. van Buuren, Stef & Groothuis-Oudshoorn, Karin, 2011. "mice: Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations in R," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 45(i03).
    2. Rode, Julian & Gómez-Baggethun, Erik & Krause, Torsten, 2015. "Motivation crowding by economic incentives in conservation policy: A review of the empirical evidence," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 270-282.
    3. de Vries, Bert J.M. & Petersen, Arthur C., 2009. "Conceptualizing sustainable development: An assessment methodology connecting values, knowledge, worldviews and scenarios," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(4), pages 1006-1019, February.
    4. Iniesta-Arandia, Irene & García-Llorente, Marina & Aguilera, Pedro A. & Montes, Carlos & Martín-López, Berta, 2014. "Socio-cultural valuation of ecosystem services: uncovering the links between values, drivers of change, and human well-being," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 36-48.
    5. Luis Fernando Guedes Pinto & Mauricio Voivodic, 2021. "Reverse the tipping point of the Atlantic Forest for mitigation," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(5), pages 364-365, May.
    6. Mueller, Bernardo, 2018. "Property Rights Implications for the Brazilian Forest Code," Revista de Economia e Sociologia Rural (RESR), Sociedade Brasileira de Economia e Sociologia Rural, vol. 56(2), January.
    7. Norman Myers & Russell A. Mittermeier & Cristina G. Mittermeier & Gustavo A. B. da Fonseca & Jennifer Kent, 2000. "Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities," Nature, Nature, vol. 403(6772), pages 853-858, February.
    8. Richards, Ryan C. & Petrie, Ragan & Christ, Benjamin & Ditt, Eduardo & Kennedy, Chris J., 2020. "Farmer preferences for reforestation contracts in Brazil's Atlantic Forest," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    9. William Black & Barry J. Babin, 2019. "Multivariate Data Analysis: Its Approach, Evolution, and Impact," Springer Books, in: Barry J. Babin & Marko Sarstedt (ed.), The Great Facilitator, pages 121-130, Springer.
    10. Trevisan, A.C.D. & Schmitt-Filho, A.L. & Farley, J. & Fantini, A.C. & Longo, C., 2016. "Farmer perceptions, policy and reforestation in Santa Catarina, Brazil," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 53-63.
    11. Marc Gruber & Florian Heinemann & Malte Brettel & Stephan Hungeling, 2010. "Configurations of resources and capabilities and their performance implications: an exploratory study on technology ventures," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(12), pages 1337-1356, December.
    12. Smith, Helen F. & Sullivan, Caroline A., 2014. "Ecosystem services within agricultural landscapes—Farmers' perceptions," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C), pages 72-80.
    13. Teixeira, Heitor Mancini & Vermue, Ardjan J. & Cardoso, Irene Maria & Peña Claros, Marielos & Bianchi, Felix J.J.A., 2018. "Farmers show complex and contrasting perceptions on ecosystem services and their management," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 33(PA), pages 44-58.
    14. Neyra Sosa & Alejandro Torres & Valerio Castro-Lopez & Alejandro Velazquez, 2023. "Participatory Landscape Conservation: A Case Study of a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Michoacan, Mexico," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, November.
    15. Da Ponte, Emmanuel & Kuenzer, Claudia & Parker, Amanda & Rodas, Oscar & Oppelt, Natascha & Fleckenstein, Martina, 2017. "Forest cover loss in Paraguay and perception of ecosystem services: A case study of the Upper Parana Forest," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 24(C), pages 200-212.
    16. Hamed Taherdoost, 2016. "Sampling Methods in Research Methodology; How to Choose a Sampling Technique for Research," Post-Print hal-02546796, HAL.
    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. Lima, Flávia Pereira & Bastos, Rogério Pereira, 2019. "Perceiving the invisible: Formal education affects the perception of ecosystem services provided by native areas," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 40(C).
    2. Yaofeng Yang & Yajuan Chen & Zhenrong Yu & Pengyao Li & Xuedong Li, 2020. "How Does Improve Farmers’ Attitudes toward Ecosystem Services to Support Sustainable Development of Agriculture? Based on Environmental Kuznets Curve Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-16, October.
    3. Cheng, Jiali & Richter, Andries & Cong, Wen-Feng & Xu, Zhan & Liang, Zhengyuan & Zhang, Chaochun & Zhang, Fusuo & van der Werf, Wopke & Groot, Jeroen C.J., 2025. "Stakeholder perspectives on ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes: A case study in the North China Plain," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    4. Bolaños-Valencia, Ingrid & Villegas-Palacio, Clara & López-Gómez, Connie Paola & Berrouet, Lina & Ruiz, Aura, 2019. "Social perception of risk in socio-ecological systems. A qualitative and quantitative analysis," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 1-1.
    5. Jones, Sarah K. & Boundaogo, Mansour & DeClerck, Fabrice A. & Estrada-Carmona, Natalia & Mirumachi, Naho & Mulligan, Mark, 2019. "Insights into the importance of ecosystem services to human well-being in reservoir landscapes," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    6. Heitor Mancini Teixeira & Leonardo Van den Berg & Irene Maria Cardoso & Ardjan J. Vermue & Felix J. J. A. Bianchi & Marielos Peña-Claros & Pablo Tittonell, 2018. "Understanding Farm Diversity to Promote Agroecological Transitions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-20, November.
    7. Blanco, Julien & Sourdril, Anne & Deconchat, Marc & Barnaud, Cécile & San Cristobal, Magali & Andrieu, Emilie, 2020. "How farmers feel about trees: Perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices associated with rural forests in southwestern France," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 42(C).
    8. Baba, S.H. & Wani, S.A., 2018. "Ecosystem Management Approach for Agricultural Growth in Mountains: Farmers Perception of Ecosystem Services and Dis-Services in Kashmir-India," 2018 Conference, July 28-August 2, 2018, Vancouver, British Columbia 277556, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    9. Mariane Paulina Batalha Roque & José Ambrósio Ferreira Neto & André Luiz Lopes Faria, 2022. "Degraded grassland and the conflict of land use in protected areas of hotspot in Brazil," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 1475-1492, January.
    10. Kaczan, David & Pfaff, Alexander & Rodriguez, Luz & Shapiro-Garza, Elizabeth, 2017. "Increasing the impact of collective incentives in payments for ecosystem services," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 48-67.
    11. Trevisan, A.C.D. & Schmitt-Filho, A.L. & Farley, J. & Fantini, A.C. & Longo, C., 2016. "Farmer perceptions, policy and reforestation in Santa Catarina, Brazil," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 53-63.
    12. Ana Carolina Oliveira Fiorini & Marilyn Swisher & Francis E. Putz, 2020. "Payment for Environment Services to Promote Compliance with Brazil’s Forest Code: The Case of “Produtores de Água e Floresta”," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-51, October.
    13. Parras, Rafael & de Mendonça, Gislaine Costa & da Costa, Luis Miguel & Rocha, Juan Ricardo & Costa, Renata Cristina Araújo & Valera, Carlos Alberto & Fernandes, Luís Filipe Sanches & Pacheco, Fernando, 2024. "Land use footprints and policies in Brazil," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    14. Ibán Vázquez-González & María do Mar Pérez-Fra & Ana Isabel García-Arias & Bernardo Valdês-Paços & Edelmiro López-Iglesias, 2021. "Rendered Agroecosystem Services and Dysservices of Dairy Farming: A Bottom-Up Approach in Galicia (Spain)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-20, July.
    15. Bianca Amato & Sophie Petit, 2023. "Improving conservation outcomes in agricultural landscapes: farmer perceptions of native vegetation on the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(4), pages 1537-1557, December.
    16. Bottazzi, Patrick & Wiik, Emma & Crespo, David & Jones, Julia P.G., 2018. "Payment for Environmental “Self-Service”: Exploring the Links Between Farmers' Motivation and Additionality in a Conservation Incentive Programme in the Bolivian Andes," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 11-23.
    17. Mariane Paulina Batalha Roque & José Ambrósio Ferreira Neto & André Luis Lopes de Faria & Fernanda Machado Ferreira & Thais Helena Teixeira & Lívia Lopes Coelho, 2019. "Effectiveness of Arguments Used in the Creation of Protected Areas of Sustainable Use in Brazil: A Case Study from the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-16, March.
    18. Paudyal, Kiran & Baral, Himlal & Keenan, Rodney John, 2018. "Assessing social values of ecosystem services in the Phewa Lake Watershed, Nepal," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 67-81.
    19. Ndayizeye, Gaëlle & Imani, Gerard & Nkengurutse, Jacques & Irampagarikiye, Rosette & Ndihokubwayo, Noël & Niyongabo, Ferdinand & Cuni-Sanchez, Aida, 2020. "Ecosystem services from mountain forests: Local communities’ views in Kibira National Park, Burundi," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    20. Wang, Xiaoqi & Zhao, Xueyan, 2023. "Farmers' perception and choice preference of grassland ecosystem services: Evidence from the northeastern region of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 132(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:lauspo:v:154:y:2025:i:c:s0264837725000936. 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: Joice Jiang (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/land-use-policy .

    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.