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Landscape Dynamics in Relation to Organic Farming: Mapping and Analysis

This research project examines the extent to which the conversion to organic farming has affected the spatial pattern and content of natural and semi-natural habitats in the Danish agricultural landscape. Through the use of GIS and aerial photo interpretation, the study aims to identify the driving forces and processes behind these landscape dynamics.

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Landscape Dynamics in Relation to Organic Farming: Mapping and Analysis

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  1. Gregor Levin, National Environmental Research Institute / Roskilde University A methodological framework for analysing:Landscape dynamics in relation to organic farming Archived at http://orgprints.org/00001362

  2. My background - PhD scholarship at NERI, Department of Policy Analysis / Roskilde University, Institute of Geography - Master in geography from University of Copenhagen - Thesis: Land use driven conditions for habitat structure: A case study from the Ecuadorian Andes. - Fields of interest: Landscape analysis, landscape management and -planning, land use systems, GIS

  3. Project Background 1 - Title: Landscape dynamics in relation to organic farming - to what extend and how has the growing conversion to organic farming affected spatial pattern and content of natural and semi natural habitats in the Danish agricultural landscape? - Part of an interdisciplinary research project on “Nature quality in organic farming” - Overall research question: Under which conditions is it possible to favour high biological diversity in a high yielding organic production system that supports esthetical and recreational opportunities - Participators from: Biology, agronomy, sociology, geography

  4. Project Background 2 - 1950ies - mid 80ies: Substantial loss of natural and semi natural landscape elements in Danish landscapes due to agricultural intensification - Since mid 70ies growing concern on agriculture’s environmental effects - Since 1987: State regulations and subsidies for organic farming - 1990ies: Substantial growth in organic farming - 2002: Organic farming constitutes over 6.5% of all agricultural land in Denmark

  5. Project Background 3 - Principles of Organic Farming include protection of habitats in the surrounding of the production system - It is generally expected that organic farming, due to its holistic ecosystem approach, benefits richness and diversity of natural and semi natural habitats - For organic farming there exist no specific rules concerning management of these habitats - Documentation of such relation is insufficient and is not able to explain underlying forces and processes

  6. Landscape dynamics in relation to organic farming- to what extend, how and why? - 3 key questions: Quantitative analysis of spatio temporal landscape dynamics To what extent? Quantitative analysis of relations between landscape dynamics biophysical and socio economic parameters How? Qualitative analysis of underlying forces and processes Why?

  7. To what extent? - Mapping of seminatural and natural habitats based on aerial photos from 1954 - 2002 - Whole, continuous landscapes (beyond farm level) - 4 case areas representing “typical” Danish landscapes - Each case area app. 25 square kilometres - Min. 12 organic and 12 conventional farms within each case area

  8. Interpretation of aerial photos

  9. How? - Registration and analysis of driving forces for spatio-temporal dynamics in natural and semi natural habitats - Both biophysical and socio-economical parameters at different spatial and temporal scales - Sources: - Questionnaires with organic and conventional farms - Agricultural statistics at farm and parish level - Spatial data sets on soil and geomorphology

  10. Parameters influencing land use decision taking and landscape management: biophysical: soil hydrology topography socio-economic: income age values land use strategy market forces legislation, subsidies

  11. Scale hierarchy Different driving forces can be active at different spatial and temporal scales But: The single farmer’s decision on allocation and management of landscape elements is taken at field or sub field level. E.g.: hedges ponds ditches permanent grass fallow

  12. In a GIS with attached databases, spatio temporal dynamics of natural and semi natural habitats are analysed in relation to different driving forces. Parameters (E.g.:) household or farm specific land use pattern land cover pattern soil and geomorphology

  13. In a GIS with attached databases, spatio temporal dynamics of natural and semi natural habitats are analysed in relation to different driving forces. Parameters (E.g.:) household or farm specific land use pattern land cover pattern soil and geomorphology

  14. In a GIS with attached databases, spatio temporal dynamics of natural and semi natural habitats are analysed in relation to different driving forces. Parameters (E.g.:) household or farm specific land use pattern land cover pattern soil and geomorphology

  15. In a GIS with attached databases, spatio temporal dynamics of natural and semi natural habitats are analysed in relation to different driving forces. Parameters (E.g.:) household or farm specific land use pattern land cover pattern soil and geomorphology

  16. In a GIS with attached databases, spatio temporal dynamics of natural and semi natural habitats are analysed in relation to different driving forces. Parameters (E.g.:) household or farm specific land use pattern land cover pattern soil and geomorphology

  17. Possible Results: - Relationship between landscape diversity and org. farming - Relationship between landscape diversity and farmers age - Relationship between landscape diversity and small farm sizes - Relationship between landscape diversity and small org, farms with young farmers

  18. But: - Such (quantitative) analysis can point to significant statistical tendencies, but is not able to explain underlying processes - Therefore: In order to understand how different parameters affect land use strategies and thus dynamics of natural and semi natural habitats, I need to combine quantitative measures with qualitative methods. - “...not every thing which can be counted, counts, but there are many things that cannot be counted, which count.” (Naveh 2002)

  19. Therefore: - Based on the results from the quantitative analysis, app 8 organic and conventional farmers will be selected for in depth interviews - Through these interviews, statistical relations from the quantitative analysis are investigated and discussed - Interviews can not be representative, but together with the quantitative analysis give a better understanding and maybe clarification of statistical relationships

  20. A methodological framework

  21. Gregor Levin, National Environmental Research Institute / Roskilde University A methodological framework for analysing:Landscape dynamics in relation to organic farming

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