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Contribution of Traditional Farming to Ecosystem Services Provision: Case Studies from Slovakia

Author

Listed:
  • Jana Špulerová

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 254, Štefanikova 3, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia)

  • František Petrovič

    (Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia)

  • Peter Mederly

    (Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 1, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia)

  • Matej Mojses

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, branch Nitra, Akademická 2, 949 01 Nitra, Slovakia)

  • Zita Izakovičová

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 254, Štefanikova 3, 814 99 Bratislava, Slovakia)

Abstract

The main aim of this study is to assess the benefits provided by the ecosystems of traditional agricultural landscapes (TAL) and compare them to the outputs of large-scale agriculture. Assessment of ecosystem services (ES) was performed in four case-study areas situated in Slovakia, representing different types of TAL: Viticultural landscape, meadow–pasture landscape, and agricultural landscape with dispersed settlements and mosaics of orchards. The methodological approach was focused on assessment of all the principal types of ES—regulation and maintenance, provisioning, and cultural. Differences in the provision of ES due to the impact of different practices and intensities of agricultural landscape management were subsequently assessed and compared. The results show that TAL are generally more diverse and balanced regarding ES provision, mainly because of their varied patterns and their related functions. In particular they play an important role in water retention and the prevention of soil erosion—both important with respect to changes in climate. Modern intensive agriculture is principally able to fulfil the production functions. Support for traditional farming, landscape diversification and small-scale agricultural management is vital for enhancing the values of rural regions. Such measures could become key drivers for sustainable agricultural management in Slovakia, and elsewhere.

Suggested Citation

  • Jana Špulerová & František Petrovič & Peter Mederly & Matej Mojses & Zita Izakovičová, 2018. "Contribution of Traditional Farming to Ecosystem Services Provision: Case Studies from Slovakia," Land, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-24, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:7:y:2018:i:2:p:74-:d:152107
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Martina Slámová & Ingrid Belčáková, 2019. "The Role of Small Farm Activities for the Sustainable Management of Agricultural Landscapes: Case Studies from Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Eduardo Morales-Jerrett & Juan Manuel Mancilla-Leytón & Manuel Delgado-Pertíñez & Yolanda Mena, 2020. "The Contribution of Traditional Meat Goat Farming Systems to Human Wellbeing and Its Importance for the Sustainability of This Livestock Subsector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Zita Izakovičová & László Miklós & Viktória Miklósová & František Petrovič, 2019. "The Integrated Approach to Landscape Management —Experience from Slovakia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(17), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Ingrid Belčáková & Branislav Olah & Martina Slámová & Zuzana Pšenáková, 2021. "A Cultural and Environmental Assessment of a Landscape Archetype with Dispersed Settlements in Čadca Cadastral District, Slovakia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-23, January.
    5. Peter Bezák & Peter Mederly & Zita Izakovičová & Milena Moyzeová & Magdaléna Bezáková, 2020. "Perception of Ecosystem Services in Constituting Multi-Functional Landscapes in Slovakia," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(6), pages 1-18, June.
    6. Kirill A. Zhichkin & Vladimir V. Nosov & Lyudmila N. Zhichkina & Artur A. Gubadullin, 2022. "The Theory of Agriculture Multifunctionality on the Example of Private Households," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-17, November.
    7. Maolin Li & Yongxun Zhang & Changhong Miao & Lulu He & Jiatao Chen, 2022. "Centennial Change and Source–Sink Interaction Process of Traditional Agricultural Landscape: Case from Xin’an Traditional Cherry Cultivation System (1920–2020)," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-22, October.
    8. Valencia Torres, Angélica & Tiwari, Chetan & Atkinson, Samuel F., 2021. "Progress in ecosystem services research: A guide for scholars and practitioners," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).

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