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Restoring nature in agricultural landscapes. Farmers’ preferences for policy design and collective agri-environmental schemes to achieve 25% semi-natural habitat

Mair, Katharina LU (2026) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20261
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
20-25% of semi-natural habitat per square-kilometre is required for the provision of local Nature’s Contributions to People. Farmers are key actors in reversing the severe habitat deficits in agricultural regions. Conceptually anchored in the Safe and Just Earth System Boundary Framework and the Tripartite Framework for Mitigation Pathways, this thesis combines a systematic literature review on how design features influence farmers’ uptake of habitat-enhancing policies with an interview-based study on collective agri-environmental schemes in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Results show that farmers value advisory services, hybrid schemes and flexibility, while avoiding long-term commitments - which conflicts with the multiannual commitments... (More)
20-25% of semi-natural habitat per square-kilometre is required for the provision of local Nature’s Contributions to People. Farmers are key actors in reversing the severe habitat deficits in agricultural regions. Conceptually anchored in the Safe and Just Earth System Boundary Framework and the Tripartite Framework for Mitigation Pathways, this thesis combines a systematic literature review on how design features influence farmers’ uptake of habitat-enhancing policies with an interview-based study on collective agri-environmental schemes in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Results show that farmers value advisory services, hybrid schemes and flexibility, while avoiding long-term commitments - which conflicts with the multiannual commitments required for creating diverse habitat. Lacking knowledge and social cohesion limit the potential of collective schemes in Castilla-La Mancha, but barriers can be partly addressed by policy design involving intermediaries, independent payment structures and regular meetings. Despite these barriers, collective approaches could bring broader societal benefits in the context of depopulation. (Less)
Abstract (Spanish)
Se requiere entre un 20 y un 25 % de hábitat seminatural por kilómetro cuadrado para garantizar la provisión local de las Contribuciones de la Naturaleza a las Personas. Los agricultores son actores clave para revertir los graves déficits de hábitat en las regiones agrícolas. Anclada conceptualmente en el Safe and Just Earth System Boundary Framework y en el Tripartite Framework for Mitigation Pathways, esta tesis combina una revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre cómo las características de diseño influyen en la adopción por parte de los agricultores de políticas que fomentan la mejora del hábitat, con un estudio basado en entrevistas sobre esquemas colectivos agroambientales en Castilla-La Mancha, España. Los resultados muestran que... (More)
Se requiere entre un 20 y un 25 % de hábitat seminatural por kilómetro cuadrado para garantizar la provisión local de las Contribuciones de la Naturaleza a las Personas. Los agricultores son actores clave para revertir los graves déficits de hábitat en las regiones agrícolas. Anclada conceptualmente en el Safe and Just Earth System Boundary Framework y en el Tripartite Framework for Mitigation Pathways, esta tesis combina una revisión sistemática de la literatura sobre cómo las características de diseño influyen en la adopción por parte de los agricultores de políticas que fomentan la mejora del hábitat, con un estudio basado en entrevistas sobre esquemas colectivos agroambientales en Castilla-La Mancha, España. Los resultados muestran que los agricultores valoran los servicios de asesoramiento, los esquemas híbridos y la flexibilidad, mientras que evitan los compromisos a largo plazo, lo que entra en conflicto con los compromisos plurianuales necesarios para crear hábitats diversos. La falta de conocimiento y de cohesión social limita el potencial de los esquemas colectivos en Castilla-La Mancha, pero estas barreras pueden abordarse parcialmente mediante un diseño de políticas que incorpore intermediarios, estructuras de pago independientes y reuniones periódicas. A pesar de estas barreras, los enfoques colectivos podrían generar beneficios sociales más amplios en el contexto de la despoblación. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Mair, Katharina LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Agri-environmental Policy, Collective Approaches, Farmers’ Decision-making, Biodiversity, Policy Design Features, Social Capital, Sustainability Science
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2026:013
language
English
id
9230785
date added to LUP
2026-06-05 16:01:29
date last changed
2026-06-05 16:01:29
@misc{9230785,
  abstract     = {{20-25% of semi-natural habitat per square-kilometre is required for the provision of local Nature’s Contributions to People. Farmers are key actors in reversing the severe habitat deficits in agricultural regions. Conceptually anchored in the Safe and Just Earth System Boundary Framework and the Tripartite Framework for Mitigation Pathways, this thesis combines a systematic literature review on how design features influence farmers’ uptake of habitat-enhancing policies with an interview-based study on collective agri-environmental schemes in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. Results show that farmers value advisory services, hybrid schemes and flexibility, while avoiding long-term commitments - which conflicts with the multiannual commitments required for creating diverse habitat. Lacking knowledge and social cohesion limit the potential of collective schemes in Castilla-La Mancha, but barriers can be partly addressed by policy design involving intermediaries, independent payment structures and regular meetings. Despite these barriers, collective approaches could bring broader societal benefits in the context of depopulation.}},
  author       = {{Mair, Katharina}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Restoring nature in agricultural landscapes. Farmers’ preferences for policy design and collective agri-environmental schemes to achieve 25% semi-natural habitat}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}