Work Packages

EcoSiPaS aims to identify areas with higher concentrations of silvopastoral systems and understand land use change dynamics by mapping the spatiotemporal dynamics of these systems in the Cerrado and understanding relevant factors involved.  For example, the association with factors such as soil, topography, climate, vegetation, infrastructure, meat and milk processing plants, and proximity to major urban centres will be explored.

The second work package focuses on the quantification of different ecosystem services, such as biodiversity, the provision of timber and non-timber forest product (NTFP), carbon sequestration, soil, and water conservation. Quantified ecosystem services of silvopastoral systems will also be compared to other land uses, such as intact Cerrado vegetation and intensively managed pastures.

The third work package aims to assess the assess the socio-economic performance of different silvopastoral systems, especially in relation to other land use types.

As such, the contribution of silvopastoral system to rural livelihoods, household nutrition, gender and cultural importance will be investigated. This will be achieved via a farm household survey, focus group discussions and key informant interviews in selected Cerrado communities. We aim to select a representative sample of the local population based on farm size, market access, off-farm income, land use practices, and other significant socioeconomic and environmental factors.

As a starting point to improve rural advisory services, forecast land-use decisions ex ante, and develop effective policies, the fourth work package of EcoSiPas aims at identifying the factors that influence smallholders’ adoption decisions for silvopastoral systems, and the core management practices employed.

The fifth work package aims to analyse the potential to monetize selected ecosystem services and initiate the development of business cases.

A main focus here will be put on value-added processing of the most promising Cerrado non-timber forest products. Following detailed mapping and analysis of market and value chains of these forest products, the feasibility of value chain development for selected Cerrado non-timber forest products will be determined. Data for the former will be obtained by focus groups discussions and interviews with local collectors, traders in both rural and urban areas, aggregators, processors, exporters, and other value chain stakeholders in order to clarify the structure, functionality, and conduct of the current market and value chains from production to consumption. In order to then foster access to high-value market niches for Cerrado NTFP to monetize biodiversity benefits, different options will be explored, such as kick-starting the novel food approval process for access to European markets, or certification pathways. 

To guarantee appropriate project coordination and administration, build capacity on silvopastoral system among diverse target groups, and disseminate the project results, the sixth work package oversees the coordination of the project.