Work

Family farmers' environmental perception of ecosystem services in the Brazilian semi-arid region

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Rural populations, whose economies are based on agriculture and livestock, depend on ecosystem services. The aim of this study was to assess family farmers’ environmental perception of ecosystem services and their importance. The study was conducted in two communities in the semi-arid region of Piauí, Northeastern Brazil. Data were collected through nonparticipant observation and semi-structured interviews and analyzed using word clouds, Likert scales, and semantic networks. Farmers have a broad perception of ecosystem service categories, recognizing and valuing provisioning and cultural services above all. Nature is seen as playing a fundamental role in the activities of these communities, which depend on natural resources for their livelihoods and leisure.

Source: Journal of Agriculture Food Systems and Community Development

DOI: 10.5304/jafscd.2025.144.006

Authors: Milena Vaz, Hemerson Vitorino, Natacha de Souza, Jéssica da Silva, Denise da Cruz

Institutions: Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Universidade Estadual do Piauí

Language: English

Topic: Land Use and Ecosystem Services

Subfield: Global and Planetary Change

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Life on land, Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $500