Modelling shifts between mono- and multifunctional farming systems: the importance of social and economic drivers

Authored by Carla J Grashof-Bokdam, Paul F M Opdam, Anouk Cormont, Nico B P Polman, Eugene J G M Westerhof, Jappe G J Franke

Date Published: 2017

DOI: 10.1007/s10980-016-0458-7

Sponsors: No sponsors listed

Platforms: No platforms listed

Model Documentation: ODD

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

In Europe, policy measures are starting to emerge that promote multifunctional farming systems and delivery of ecosystem services besides food production. Effectiveness of these policy instruments have to deal with ecological, economic and social complexities and with complexities in individual decisions of local actors leading to system shifts. The objective of this paper is to discover the most important social and/or economic drivers that cause farm systems to shift between a monofunctional (providing food) and a multifunctional state (providing food and natural pest regulation). Using a cellular automata model, we simulated decisions of individual farmers to shift between a mono-and multifunctional state through time, based on their behaviour type and on financial and social consequences. Collaboration of multifunctional farmers at a landscape scale is a precondition to provide a reliable level of natural pest regulation. Costs of applying green infrastructure was an important driver for the size and the conversion rate of shifts between mono-and multifunctional farming systems. Shifts towards multifunctional farming were enhanced by a higher motivation of farmers to produce sustainably, while shifts (back) to a monofunctional state was enhanced by a low social cohesion between multifunctional farmers. These results suggest that in order to develop a multifunctional farming system, individual farmers should act counterintuitively to their conventional farming environment. To maintain a multifunctional farming system, social cohesion between multifunctional farmers is most relevant. Financial aspects are important in both shifts.

Tags

Agent-based models Complex adaptive systems Biodiversity Land-use resilience Ecosystem services Agricultural landscapes Farmer behaviour Cellular-automata Critical transitions Hysteresis Ecological systems Green infrastructure Natural pest regulation