The Main Barriers to the Implementation of Payment for Environmental Services from the Landowners' Perspective

Payment for Environmental Services (PES) programs are instruments to achieve conservation and socioeconomic improvement objectives. However, the degree to which these objectives are achieved depends on the satisfaction of Environmental Services (ES) providers. Nonetheless, there are few studies that reveal the perceptions of ES providers. Hence, we aimed at filling this gap by surveying landowners enrolled in a Brazilian PES program. We identified organizational and structural barriers preventing participants from enrolling and continuing their participation. Even though landowners recognize the importance of ES conservation, only a share of 43% believes that the adoption of conservation practices positively impacts their economic activity. They also expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of information before and during their participation in the program and the absence of technical support. Furthermore, nearly 79% of the respondents reported they are not receiving their due payments, resulting in a widespread disbelief among providers. Our findings provide a benchmark for PES evaluation from a provider's perspective. Here we provide a better understanding of the landowners needs, dissatisfactions, and expectations enabling the improvement of current and new programs.