Multi-Functional Land Use Is Not Self-Evident for European Farmers: A Critical Review

Frontiers in Environmental Science

Jaap J. Schröder¹  Hein F. M. Ten Berge¹  Taru Sandén²  Heide Spiegel²  Jørgen E. Olesen³  Christian B. Henriksen⁴  Juan V. Giraldez-Cervera⁵  Michiel Rutgers⁶  Rachel E. Creamer⁷  Francesca Bampa⁷ 

[1] Agrosystems Research, Plant Sciences Group, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands;Department for Soil Health and Plant Nutrition, Institute for Sustainable Plant Production, Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Vienna, Austria;Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark;Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark;Hydrology and Agricultural Hydraulics Group, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain;National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, Netherlands;Soil Biology Group, Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, Netherlands;

关键词: land management;    primary productivity;    soil health;    soil quality;    soil degradation;    soil function;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fenvs.2020.575466

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Soils perform more functions than primary productivity. Examples of these functions are the recycling of nutrients, the regulation and purification of water, the regulation of the climate, and supporting biodiversity. These abilities are generally referred to as the soil quality. Soil management that favors primary productivity may have positive and negative impacts on the other functions, and vice versa, depending on soil and climatic conditions. All these functions are under pressure, particularly in intensive agriculture. In the absence of mandatory regulations, most European farmers give limited attention to other functions than primary productivity in spite of recommendations by scientists, society and policy makers to acknowledge the ecosystem services provided by soils. The present paper analyses the underlying causes of this limited attention for the multi-functionality of soils by farmers. It is concluded that their focus on primary productivity may stem from (1) insufficient visible proof for soil degradation and benefits of preventive measures over curative measures, (2) limited awareness or conviction of long-term synergies, (3) insufficient remuneration of ecosystem services by society or compensation of yield penalties in favor of these services, (4) lacking trustworthy knowledge about and support for multi-functional soil management, and (5) absence of incentives and regulations on soil management and their enforcement. All these shortcomings need to be addressed by advisors, scientists, and policy makers, whilst acknowledging the need for underpinning and differentiation of incentives and regulations.

【 授权许可】

Unknown