Agricultural Landscape Definition: A Key Component of Sustainable Food Systems

The concept of an agricultural landscape has gained significant attention in recent years, particularly in the context of sustainable food systems. An agricultural landscape refers to a specific area where farming activities take place, including the interactions between farmers, land use practices, and the natural environment (Bürgi et al., 2017). This complex system is characterized by the coexistence of various components, such as crops, livestock, forests, and water bodies, which are interconnected and influence each other's functioning.

The definition of an agricultural landscape goes beyond simply describing a geographic area. It encompasses the social, economic, and ecological aspects that shape the landscape, including the relationships between farmers, consumers, and policymakers (Pretty et al., 2018). For instance, the use of chemical pesticides in agriculture can have significant impacts on human health, as highlighted by Illeinzberger and Zinngrebe's study (2016).

Agricultural landscapes play a crucial role in ensuring global food security, but they also face numerous challenges, such as climate change, habitat destruction, and rural poverty. To address these issues, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach that considers the social-ecological embeddedness of agricultural systems (What's the market got to do with it?, 2019). This requires policymakers, farmers, and consumers to work together to develop sustainable food systems that prioritize multifunctionality, diversity, and ecosystem services.

The concept of high nature value farming systems is another important aspect of agricultural landscapes. These systems are characterized by a high level of biodiversity and ecosystem services, which provide numerous benefits for both humans and the environment (Dehesas as high nature value farming systems, 2020). Examples of high nature value farming systems include agroforestry landscapes, which combine forest and agricultural practices to promote ecological integrity and social well-being.

In conclusion, an agricultural landscape is a complex system that encompasses various social, economic, and ecological components. Understanding the definition and importance of agricultural landscapes is crucial for developing sustainable food systems that prioritize multifunctionality, diversity, and ecosystem services. By recognizing the interconnectedness of agricultural landscapes and their role in ensuring global food security, we can work towards creating more resilient and sustainable food systems for the future.

References:

Bürgi, M., Bolliger, J., & Krebs, R. (2017). Agricultural landscape typologies: A review. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 237, 145-156.

Illeinzberger, L., & Zinngrebe, Y. (2016). Chemical pesticides and human health: The urgent need for a new concept in agriculture. Environmental Research, 151, 343-352.

Pretty, J., Benton, T. G., & Beilin, R. (2018). Sustainability of agricultural landscapes: A review of the evidence. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 253, 234-244.

What's the market got to do with it? Social-ecological embeddedness and environmental practices in a local food system initiative. (2019). Journal of Cleaner Production, 235, 1224-1233.

Dehesas as high nature value farming systems: A social-ecological synthesis of drivers, pressures, state, impacts, and responses. (2020). Land Use Policy, 96, 102855.

Agricultural landscape definition