“Historical signs in the landscape”: Ecosystem services, motivation and challenges of pollarding in Western Norway

• DOI: 10.1007/s10457-024-00994-9
• Publication Date: 2024-05-10T18:02:18Z
• Authors: Anna Birgitte Mil...; Jørund Johansen; Signe Kårstad; Fride Høistad Schei
• Keywords: Historical Ecology

Abstract Pollarding in agroforestry systems was traditionally an important practice for fodder acquisition Western Norway, as well many other parts of the world. The has long been decline, but to maintain cultural landscapes and biodiversity enhancement from pollarding, farmers now receive a public grant each tree they pollard. In this interdisciplinary study we investigate which ecosystem services modern pollarding practices provide, under influence current policy. We have performed both in-depth interviews quantitative survey targeting all county Vestland Norway. find that bioresources obtained branches are some extent still taken into use, mainly form farm animals firewood, lot remain unused. Biodiversity benefits preserving old trees often located on agricultural land solitary trees, these provide habitats, particularly species growing bark, such lichens mosses, or within decaying wood, as, example, fungi insects. letting rot field habitats insects hence additional biodiversity. For farmers, main motivations pollard cultural, aesthetic historical values pollarded trees. They see few disadvantages with most them plan continue future. provides incentive our results indicate would without it, although less than now, especially establishment new pollards.