Potential of farm wetlands and ponds to deliver payment for ecosystem services (PES)

Abstract

Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) provides a potential income stream for farmers and landowners but is constrained by insufficient evidence on the benefits of Nature-based Solutions (NbS), limited strategies to mitigate trade-offs, and an unreconstructed policy environment that hampers effective implementation. This study focuses on rural sustainable drainage systems (RSuDS)—NbS aimed at managing water quantity and quality through features like ponds, swales, sediment traps, and wetlands. We apply the Rapid Assessment of Wetland Ecosystem Services (RAWES) to support PES development. Using mapping and regression analysis, we identify how RSuDS can be spatially targeted for maximum ecosystem service delivery. Our findings show that RSuDS are most beneficial when large, located near people, and buffered from intensive agriculture. These characteristics help landowners enhance PES potential while contributing to more sustainable landscapes. RSuDS primarily deliver regulating services, especially water quality improvement and flow regulation. Cultural services proved harder to assess due to difficulties in integrating local perspectives, which may lead to undervaluation. Provisioning services such as food and water supply were present but perceived as less significant, possibly due to limited recognition among landowners. Concerns arise regarding climate regulation disservices, as RSuDS may be net emitters of greenhouse gases. Future studies should measure both greenhouse gas emissions and carbon burial to clarify their climate impact. Trade-offs in service provision vary across spatial scales, underscoring the importance of engaging local stakeholders in PES design and implementation.