Linking biodiversity, land-use and incomes at the farm level: an interdisciplinary modelling approach

Recent decades have witnessed substantial losses in biodiversity in Europe, partlydriven by the ecological changes associated with intensification of agriculturalproduction. These changes have particularly affected biodiversity in marginal areas,such as the uplands in UK, since habitat change has been greater than in lowlandzones. Livestock farming is the main land use in these areas, and economic viabilityof farmers substantially relies on income coming from agricultural subsidies and agrienvironmentalpayments. The production decisions have an effect on biodiversity,although the precise links are subject of much debate. To assess the effects of policychanges on farm incomes and biodiversity, we developed ecological-economicmodels for three typical farm types in the Peak District National Park in UK. Weanalyse the effect of decoupling and agri-environment schemes on birds. The resultsshow that the impact of these policies varies across farm types and across biodiversityindicator. This means that from a biodiversity point of view whatever future policyoptions are chosen will result in winners and losers.