Preserving permanent mountain grasslands in Western Europe: Why are promising approaches not implemented more widely?. (November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Darnhofer, Ika; Schermer, Markus; Steinbacher, Melanie; Gabillet, Marine; Daugstad, Karoline
• Is Part Of: Land use policy. Volume 68(2017)
• Page Start: 306
• Page End: 315
• Publication Date: 2017-11
• Subjects: Open landscapes -- Ecosystem services -- Single-loop and double-loop learning -- Agri-environmental schemes -- Mountain grassland; Land use -- Periodicals; Land use -- Government policy -- Periodicals; Sol, Utilisation du -- Périodiques; Sol, Utilisation du -- Politique gouvernementale -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.7305
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2017.08.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-8377

Abstract

Abstract: To protect grasslands and maintain the ecosystem services they provide, many European countries have been offering agri-environment measures aimed at maintaining extensive grazing by cattle, sheep or goats. Yet, despite more than two decades of agri-environment measures, semi-natural mountain pastures are still seen as threatened by abandonment and subsequent shrub encroachment. Building on a three-round Delphi inquiry, we analyse the perception of a range of experts on how measures aimed at maintaining mountain grasslands are designed and implemented in Austria, France and Norway. Results show that the experts see the need for a stronger involvement of diverse regional actors, the need to increase the flexibility given to farmers in managing mountain grasslands, and the need to reconceptualise monitoring as a social learning process. While these approaches are implemented in some 'best practice' examples, they are not widespread. Understanding these approaches as requiring double-loop learning may contribute to explaining their limited spread. Indeed, they build on a radically different conceptualization of farmers and of researchers, and thus of how agri-environment measures need to be designed and implemented to be effective. Yet, such radical changes are likely to be resisted.