By Tobias Naaf, Maria Kernecker, Heike Weidt, Stefanie Bülow, and Andreas Vierling
For many centuries, agricultural land use created a high diversity of different habitats and supported a high diversity of plant and animal species in Central Europe. However, this biodiversity has been declining since the middle of the 20th century due to agriculture industrialization. Today, agricultural production is often a threat of biodiversity. Farmers must largely choose between either a profitable farm or biodiversity conservation in their land-use decisions. The two goals appear incompatible, particularly in how people communicate these goals.
In this study, we interviewed 70 farmers in eastern Germany to find out with whom they regularly communicate about farming and biodiversity conservation. We also wanted to know to what degree farmers participate in the E.U.’s subsidized biodiversity conservation programs, so-called agri-environmental schemes (AES). Our objective was to reveal how farmers’ contacts affect their land-use decisions, and which groups should be brought together to better integrate agricultural production and biodiversity conservation goals.
We found that farmers communicate with different people about agricultural production than they do about biodiversity conservation. The most important provider of knowledge related to biodiversity conservation was a local non-profit landcare association. In contrast, many farmers received advice on agricultural production from large private companies that sell fertilizers, pesticides, and agricultural technology. This latter group of farmers was simultaneously least engaged in participating in AES. Farmers were more likely to participate in AES when they felt supported by their peers.
We draw three main conclusions from our study. First, large-scale farmers who have comprehensive experience in both agricultural production and participation in AES should be encouraged to share their knowledge with other farmers less experienced in AES participation. Second, public and non-profit organizations should be empowered in their ability to provide both agronomic and conservation advice to decouple farmers’ land-use decisions from the interests of private companies. Third, promoting mutual support among farmers may effectively facilitate the participation in AES.
Relational Thinking 