Understanding communities' perspectives on payment for ecosystem services in the Atlantic Forest

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) has been implemented worldwide as an economic mechanism and strategy to align environmental conservation with local livelihoods. Its effectiveness and long-term success vary across social and ecological contexts, depending on the interaction between socioeconomic conditions, environmental context, project design, and community engagement. This study examines how traditional communities perceive and engage with two PES projects in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest: PES Juçara and PES Conexão Mata Atlântica (CMA). Specifically, we assess participants' motivations for engagement and their perceptions and understanding of the project implementation process. Data were collected through structured, face-to-face questionnaires administered to 40 beneficiaries. A qualitative content analysis was conducted, supported by descriptive quantitative measures based on knowledge indicators derived from participants' responses. Results show that monetary incentives were important in both projects but played a more central role for PES Juçara participants. In this project, motivations reflected a combination of conservation values and expectations regarding market opportunities. In contrast, CMA participants identified technical assistance as their primary driver of engagement. Regarding project implementation, participants in both initiatives demonstrated a strong understanding of core components, such as project objectives and participant duties, while knowledge of secondary aspects, such as monitoring processes, was more variable and often limited. Our findings underscore that PES is not a 'one-size-fits-all' instrument. Differences in motivations and perceptions highlight the need for context-specific projects design that accounts for local socioeconomic realities. Incorporating participants' perspectives through bottom-up approaches is essential for refining forest conservation strategies that are both ecologically effective and socially equitable in the Atlantic Forest.