Assessing the role of economic actors in the production of private and public goods in three EU agricultural landscapes

Abstract

The study analyses the contribution of relevant economic actors to the provision of private and public goods in agricultural landscapes. A method consisting of a multi-sectoral perspective and an integrated approach based on the analytic network process (ANP) and the use of selected local stakeholders is applied. The usefulness of the method is demonstrated in three European case studies in Austria, Italy and Spain. The results show that agriculture and tourism are the sectors that contribute the most and the least, respectively, to the provision of goods and services in agricultural landscapes. Moreover, the results underscore that policy instruments towards such provision need to be targeted differently in different areas and must take into account the different roles of the local actors involved.

Keywords:

• agricultural landscapes
• public goods
• integrated approach
• ecosystem services
• ANP

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the EU's 7th F.P. for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration under grant agreement n° 289578 (CLAIM project, www.claimproject.eu). This work does not necessarily reflect the view of the EU and in no way anticipates the Commission's future policy. We would like to thank the panel of stakeholders and experts for their contribution to the study. The first and the sixth authors acknowledge the support provided by the Andalusian Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IFAPA) and the European Social Fund Operative Programme of Andalusia 2007–2013 through pre and postdoctoral training programs, respectively.