Organic farming integrates agricultural production and biodiversity conservation (land-sharing). However, although it may provide benefits for biodiversity relevant for ecosystem services, evidence is lacking that it contributes to large-scale biodiversity conservation. An alternative strategy is spatial separation of production and conservation (land-sparing).
The aim of this project is to assess the cost-effectiveness of the current uptake and spatial distribution of support to organic farming and management of grasslands in Scania. We will also develop scenarios in collaboration with stakeholders and evaluate the consequences on yields and biodiversity of implementing or removing incentives for organic farming vs semi-natural pastures.
The project is in collaboration with the Centre for Environmental and Climate Research (CEC) and is financed by Formas. It is coordinated by Henrik Smith (CEC) and is expected to be completed in 2021.