The decision-making in rural properties: climate changes, risk and environmental conservation as drivers

Abstract

Changes in land use caused by agricultural activities can lead to environmental degradation, alteration of the landscape, loss of ecosystem functions and, consequently, of environment services. This occurs because land-use and land-cover change is affected by a complex interaction between natural and social systems at different temporal and spatial scales. In rural areas, such use and cover are often related to the agricultural dynamics and private production systems, being each production system different between itself, reflecting the heterogeneity of human behavior and decisions. On global scales, the issue of climate change brings challenges involving the need both to increase the productive capacity of the sector and to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Therefore, the aim of this project is to investigate the perceptions and motivations that drive landowners in decision-making regarding land use and adoption of efficient agricultural production systems. This study will be developed in areas where there are landscape conservation activities programs as Payments for Environmental Services (PES) and recovery of degraded or implementation of integrated livestock farming and forestry within the Sector Plan and Mitigation Adaptation to Climate Change for the consolidation of an economy in Low Carbon Agriculture (Plan ABC). (AU)