Interactions between ecosystem properties and land use clarify spatial strategies to optimize trade-offs between agriculture and species conservation.

verfasst von

Miguel Angel Cebrian-Piqueras, Juliane Trinogga, Celia Grande, Vanessa Minden, Martin Maier, Michael Kleyer

Abstract

Species conservation and forage production are both important, yet conflicting components of sustainable grassland management. We modeled forage production and conservation value as dependents in a chain of responses and effects, starting with abiotic environmental conditions that affect the spatial distribution of land uses and biotic ecosystem properties. We asked which relationships in this causal chain determine trade-offs between forage production and conservation value. Abiotic and biotic ecosystem properties were recorded on 46 plots in the coastal marshes of Northwest Germany. Plant and bird conservation values were calculated using Red Lists, and sales of forage-based agricultural products were assessed by interviewing farmers. We used a structural equation model to determine responses and effects. Groundwater depth and salinity represent the ultimate causes for the spatial variation in sales and conservation value. The water gradient translated into more proximate causes, such as land-use intensity affecting aboveground net primary productivity, forage quality, and species richness. Plant species conservation and forage production were segregated along the water gradient, and both bird conservation and forage production depended on grassland management, albeit at different fertilization levels. Our study points to segregation and integration as two spatial strategies to react to trade-offs between services.

Organisationseinheit(en)

Institut für Umweltplanung

Externe Organisation(en)

Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Typ

Artikel

Journal

International Journal of Biodiversity Science, Ecosystem Services and Management

Band

13

Seiten

53-66

Anzahl der Seiten

14

ISSN

2151-3732

Publikationsdatum

29.11.2017

Publikationsstatus

Veröffentlicht

ASJC Scopus Sachgebiete

Ökologie, Evolution, Verhaltenswissenschaften und Systematik, Natur- und Landschaftsschutz, Management, Monitoring, Politik und Recht, Ökologie

Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung

SDG 15 – Lebensraum Land, SDG 14 – Lebensraum Wasser

Elektronische Version(en)

https://doi.org/10.1080/21513732.2017.1289245 (Zugang: Offen)