The aim of this work was to elucidate the socio-cultural and economic value a number ecosystem services delivered by mountain agroecosystems (mostly grazing systems) in Euro-Mediterranean regions. We combined deliberative (focus groups) survey-based stated-preference methods (choice modelling) to, first, identify perceptions farmers other citizens on most important and, second, these terms according willingness pay local (residents study area) general (region where area is located)...

The concept of 'Ecosystem Services' (ES) focuses on the linkages between ecosystems, including agroecosystems, and human well-being, referring to all benefits, direct indirect, that people obtain from ecosystems. In this paper, we review application ES framework pasture-based livestock farming systems, which allows (1) regulating, supporting cultural be integrated at same level with provisioning ES, (2) multiple trade-offs synergies exist among considered. Research has focused mostly (meat,...

The European Union (EU) envisions a shift towards bioeconomy to address challenges such as reducing dependence on non-renewable resources, managing natural resources sustainably and food security. As result, biomass will become an increasingly important resource in the bioeconomy. This require careful sustainable management especially because comes from wide variety of economic sectors is governed by different policies. will, therefore, coherence between many policy domains. However, little...

Carbon sequestration in grasslands has been proposed as an important means to offset greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant systems. To understand the potential and limitations of this strategy, we need acknowledge that soil carbon is a time-limited benefit, there are intrinsic differences between short- long-lived gases. Here, our analysis shows one tonne sequestrated can radiative forcing continuous emission 0.99 kg methane or 0.1 nitrous oxide per year over 100 years. About 135 gigatonnes...

Traditional mixed livestock cereal- and pasture-based sheep farming systems in Europe are threatened by intensification specialisation processes. However, the process does not always yield improved economic results or efficiency. This study involved a group of farmers that raised an autochthonous breed (Ojinegra de Teruel) unfavourable area North-East Spain. aimed to typify farms elucidate existing links between performance certain sustainability indicators (i.e. productivity,...

Multifunctional agroecosystems are the result of complex adaptive interactions between humans and nature where trade-offs food production other ecosystem services key.Our objective is to explore social preferences for services, associated willingness pay, in three multifunctional agroecosystem Europe (Mediterranean, Atlantic, Alpine) under alternative agrienvironmental policy scenarios.We use same methodology (a choice experiment including equivalent attributes levels) rank estimate economic...

Biodiversity is declining and current strategies to halt biodiversity loss have not succeeded. In preparing the EU's Strategy 2030, it essential unravel different visions about conservation targets for agriculture, understand potential trade-offs with food production. this research, we translated narratives of experts into two scenarios on a case study area resembling Dutch dairy sector. The reflected targeted versus generic approach towards conservation. (TC) scenario, extensive grassland,...

Abstract Question Semi‐natural grasslands (SNG) are important for maintaining biodiversity and ecological processes in farmland. Current pasture‐based livestock production mainly occurs on intensified (IG) that have been agronomically improved. Although it is documented SNG IG differ terms of plant diversity, their ability to provide ecosystem services (ES) farmland less explored. Here, we review the role delivering ES, illustrate trade‐offs synergies, examine how ES can be assessed by using...

Appropriating marginal land is seen as a way to overcome wide range of land-use challenges such food-feed-fuel competition, avoiding abandonment, and preserving nature. As result, there growing interest in policy academic communities identify, define measure the potential these challenges. However, multiple definitions exist due various ways framing problems solutions can address. This leads number competing claims on diverging debates about land. To explore frames, we performed analysis EU...

Vegetation management on solar farms can be accomplished through targeted grazing with sheep. To the authors' knowledge, no research has been conducted to date sheep behavior farms, yet such is crucial inform practices for contract grazers farms. The objectives of this study were investigate both effects panels and strategy (intensive rotational (1-day rotations (1d))) or (4-day (4d))) best suited vegetation a farm. Data collected Gold Tree Solar Farm in San Luis Obispo, CA, USA. Sheep...

Agricultural systems tend to be characterised by large diversity, therefore, solving socio-economic and environmental problems in agriculture requires targeted contextualised policies. However, policies often fail recognize this heterogeneity their design or implementation. This can result the use of sector-wide characteristics and, consequently, generic that are not tailored specific farming systems. In context, farm typologies a useful tool, as they help identify differences commonalities...

Mineral phosphorus (P) used to fertilise crops is derived from phosphate rock, which a finite resource. Preventing and recycling mineral P waste in the food system, therefore, are essential sustain future security long-term availability of P. The aim our modelling exercise was assess potential preventing order reduce dependency on rock. To this end, we modelled hypothetical system designed produce sufficient for fixed population with minimum input requirement This model included...

Pastoralists have traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), which is important for their livelihoods and policies interventions. Pastoralism under pressure, however, may result in a decline of pastoral lifestyle its related TEK. We, therefore, addressed the following objectives (i) to inventorise assess how pastoralists characterise value soils forages environment, (ii) analyse soil, forage livestock (i.e. cattle) characteristics relate herding decisions (iii) determine whether TEK underlying...

Farming systems are transitioning from a subsistence orientation to market in response changing food demands, technologies, and policies. In India's dryland regions, watershed development, among several other initiatives, has been critical driver of these transitions, but their outcomes poorly understood. The present paper investigates the characteristics economic performance current farming region Telangana, India, that undergone rapid transition orientation. We surveyed 3006 farms,...