Abstract

Increased intensity of agriculture and landscape homogenization are threatening biodiversity in landscapes. We reviewed 67 case studies addressing the impact of agriculture on biodiversity in model based scenario approaches and compared the information they provide on biodiversity, spatial characteristics, scenarios, and landscapes. We found an overall large diversity of approaches that we summarized statistically into six groups. "Biodiversity based agent based models", "Expert based exploration of land use change with GIS" and "Land use approaches of biodiversity with spatially explicit statistical model" are specialized biodiversity studies with high complexity in terms of biodiversity modelling with agent-based models or mechanistic models. On the other hand, "Bioeconomic modelling of policy impacts in favor of restoration of beneficial habitats", "Participatory simulation studies of landscape futures" and "Large scale multi criteria studies of innovative scenarios with optimization" do not consider species' behavior or landscape configuration, but do address a large range of socioeconomic and environmental issues. As a contribution to developing quantitative and policy-relevant biodiversity conservation studies in landscape, we present the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. We then suggest combining different approaches, particularly with the use of agent-based models and mechanistic models, integrating spatially explicit drivers of biodiversity change and the socio-economic context of farming in a participatory manner. We give recommendations on the inclusion of more taxa in future studies and collaboration between scientists from different disciplines to develop innovative solutions that can halt the biodiversity decline in agricultural landscapes.

Keywords

Species conservation; Land use change; Farm management; Landscape configuration; Biodiversity-ecosystem functioning; Wildlife-friendly farming

Published in

Biological Conservation
2019, Volume: 235, pages: 1-17

SLU Authors

• Chopin, Pierre

  • Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA)

• Bergkvist, Göran

  • Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Sustainable Development Goals

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns


UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2019.03.046

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/100495