Modelling the Impact of Land Use Decisions on Agriculture, Biodiversity and Socio-Economic Development of the Irish Upland Commons

Abstract

"The loss of biodiversity is an issue of increasing importance for human welfare, but sustaining this global common good on a local level often leads to conflicts of interest. The design of sustainable agricultural and biodiversity policies in the Irish uplands, where common land has evolved to accommodate various interests, presents considerable challenges. Changes in agricultural policy and market conditions have rendered traditional low-intensity livestock production less profitable, yet the retraction of farming is perceived as having negative impacts on the economic stability, socio-cultural cohesion and ecological integrity of these areas. The multifaceted nature of the problem requires an integrative approach to account for multiple goals and the high level of complexity emerging at the interface of ecological and economic systems while being of great contemporary relevance regarding the postproductivist future of the European countryside.

"The research presented focuses on multiple use issues in the Irish uplands where the majority of land is held in commonage. In the past, co-operation by right-holders through agreeing sustainable stocking levels on common grazing land contributed to shaping and enhancing upland habitats, species and landscapes. In recent decades, however, the functioning of the Irish commonage has changed significantly with declining numbers of active commonage users and the loss of traditional institutions resulting in biodiversity loss and land degradation through under-grazing.

"Against this background, the present paper provides an inter-disciplinary discussion of ecological and economic methodologies to support the design of agricultural and biodiversity policies within the context of the newly emerging multifunctional agricultural regime. The approach combines inputs from the non-linear, adaptive ecosystem management approach and the institutional approach focusing on property rights and their distribution in society."