| Abstrakt: |
Urban expansion is a key driver of change that has been affecting nature's contributions to people (NCP) in peri-urban regions near metropolitan areas. In southeast Brazil, Campinas Environmental Protected Area (EPA) is a peri-urban, sustainable-use protected area located within the metropolis of Campinas. Campinas EPA provides relevant NCP at the local and regional level, including water provision for 1.2 million people, nature-based tourism and food production. We conducted a participatory, qualitative assessment of past and future trends of NCP at Campinas EPA, in collaboration with the management council of the protected area. We collected data through direct observation, semi-structured interviews and scenario workshops. In our research process, we innovate using the NCP framework, a concept acknowledging multiple values and knowledge systems, coupled with ecosystem services, a concept already understood by management councilors. To assess past trends (2000–2020), we built a causal-loop diagram which depicts an amplifying feedback loop that fosters change towards an urban-dominated state. To assess future trends (2020–2040), we facilitated scenario planning workshops to create and contrast a business-as-usual and a desirable future for NCP, illustrated in the form of artistic panels. We identified a local agroecological farm that represents a seed of good anthropocenes – i.e. the farm is an innovative example of what a positive future could look like, thus providing relevant evidence on how to achieve a desirable scenario. Our findings shed light on how urban expansion within peri-urban areas impacts NCP and suggest strategies for positive transformations. Key policy highlights: Urban expansion is a driver of change affecting nature's contributions to people in peri-urban social-ecological systems, including Campinas EPA. Key NCP at Campinas EPA include water, nature-based tourism, and food production. Participatory scenario planning can illustrate pathways towards desirable futures for people and nature. When depicted as graphical panels, scenarios can foster engagement and provide visualizations of the future. Collaborative research projects in partnership with management councils of protected areas can increase the relevance of results in informing decision-making processes, management, and planning. Using ecosystem services (a concept already understood by policymakers) and nature's contributions to people (a concept acknowledging multiple values and knowledge systems) as complementary conceptual frameworks has proved effective in this place-based research. Organizations, initiatives and projects that enact justice and sustainability in practical ways in the present – i.e. seeds of good anthropocenes – can provide relevant evidence on how to achieve a positive future scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
