Mapping the global research landscape on payment for environmental services: a bibliometric synthesis

This study aimed to conduct an integrative literature review, using a bibliometric approach, to map the global scenario of research on Payment for Environmental Services (PES), an economic incentive instrument aimed at the preservation, recovery, and maintenance of ecosystem services. The analysis was conducted based on 397 articles extracted from the Web of Science database, from 2000 to 2024. The results reveal an average annual growth rate of 10.07% of publications, with emphasis on the years 2016 and 2022. A strong international collaboration (38.04%) and the involvement of 1,313 authors were identified, reinforcing the transdisciplinary nature of the topic. The average of 27.14 citations per article highlights the scientific impact of the field. The most recurrent topics include “ecosystem services,” “conservation,” “management,” and “deforestation,” aligning with central themes of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDGs 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 15. The thematic map revealed a consolidated field around conservation and ecosystem services, with emerging themes related to pollution and environmental risks. The most active institutions were UNAM (Mexico), Michigan State University, University of Florida, and University of São Paulo (USP). The data demonstrate that PES is a relevant strategy for sustainable public policies, articulating ecological, social, and economic dimensions, and that it requires constant theoretical and contextual improvement to increase its effectiveness.