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This review paper addresses the importance of increasing agrobiodiversity to cope with climate change and, at the same time, providing a sufficient amount of healthy food. This is in agreement with the messages from ecology and medicine indicating the advantages of biodiversity in general and agrobiodiversity in particular for the planet and for our health. Plant breeding is considered to be one of the causes of the decline in agrobiodiversity, and therefore, this paper illustrates alternatives to the commonly used approach based on centralized selection. The first alternative is decentralized participatory breeding, which adapts crops to both different agronomic environments and client preferences, representing an "option by context" model of research. The second alternative is evolutionary breeding, which is a more dynamic strategy than participatory plant breeding because it merges the advantages of decentralization with the ability of dynamic mixtures and evolutionary populations to cope with biotic and abiotic stresses and evolve, thus adapting to climate change and to the associated changes in the spectrum of pests. A crop capable of evolving as the environment around it evolves appears to be the most ideal way of responding to climate change and increasing agricultural biodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current soil‐ and land degradation seriously challenge our societies; it contributes to climate change, loss of biodiversity and loss of agricultural productions. Yet, soils are also seen as a major part of the solution, if maintained or restored to provide ecosystem services. Climate‐smart sustainable management of soils can provide options for soil health maintenance and restoration. In the European Union, the resource management and sustainability challenge are addressed in the Green Deal that, among other goals, aspires towards a healthy climate‐resilient agricultural sector that will produce sufficient products without damaging ecosystems and contribute to better biodiversity and mitigate climate change. The European Joint Programme (EJP) SOIL was set up to contribute to these goals by developing knowledge, tools and an integrated research community to foster climate‐smart sustainable agricultural soil management that provides a diversity of ecosystem service, such as adapting to and mitigating climate change, allowing sustainable food production, and sustaining soil biodiversity. This paper provides an overview of the potential of climate‐smart sustainable soil management research to the targets of the Green Deal that are related to soils most directly. The EJP SOIL EU‐wide consultation (interviews and questionnaires) and literature analysis (national and international reports and papers) done in the first year (2020–2021) generated a wealth of data. This data showed that there are specific manners to do research that are essential for it to be effective and efficient and that can actively contribute to the Green Deal targets. We concluded that research needs to be: (i) interdisciplinary, (ii) long‐term, (iii) multi‐scaled, from plot to landscape, (iv) evaluating trade‐offs of selected management options for ecosystem services and (v) co‐constructed with key stakeholders. Research on climate‐smart sustainable soil management should be developed (1) on plot scale when mobilizing soil processes and on landscape scale when addressing sediment and water connectivity and biodiversity management; and (2) address the enabling conditions through good governance, social acceptance and viable economic conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to their food security and ecological benefits, urban community gardens support human well-being in numerous non-material ways. In this paper, we investigate whether experience of these cultural ecosystem services (CES) shapes how gardeners choose to manage the garden ecosystem, which may influence the ability of these multifunctional green spaces to provide other local ecosystem services (ES). Using questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and plant community analysis, we assess the relationship between perception of CES by community gardeners, the management practices they utilize, and the agroecological characteristics of their garden plots, such as presence and prevalence of species that provide regulating and supporting ES. We find that while almost all survey participants report sociocultural benefits of gardening, experience of these CES varies significantly between gardeners, with garden structure influencing which group of benefits is most perceived. Experience of some CES was also correlated with local ecological knowledge and use of certain sustainable garden management practices, such as utilizing integrated pest management strategies and planting a wide variety of species, but not with observed non-provisioning plant agrobiodiversity. These results provide important insights into the complex role that CES play in encouraging environmental stewardship and shaping ecological outcomes in collectively managed urban green spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuba is struggling with a growing environmental problem: the uncontrolled spread of the allochthonous weed species marabou (Dichrostachys cinerea) throughout the country. Over the last 70 years, marabou has become a formidable invasive species that poses a threat to Cuban biodiversity and agricultural productivity. In this paper, we present a free and affordable method for regularly mapping the spatial distribution of the marabou based on the Google Earth Engine platform and ecological surveys. To test its accuracy, we develop an 18-year remote sensing analysis (2000–2018) of marabou dynamics using the Valle de los Ingenios, a Cuban UNESCO World Heritage Site, as an experimental model. Our spatial analysis reveals clear patterns of marabou distribution and highlights areas of concentrated growth. Temporal trends illustrate the aggressive nature of the species, identifying periods of expansion and decline. In addition, our system is able to detect specific, large-scale human interventions against the marabou plague in the area. The results highlight the urgent need for remedial strategies to maintain the fragile ecological balance in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indigenous peoples and local communities are key actors in the preservation of important biodiversity resources around the world. However, the ever-encroaching agricultural frontier and expansion of conventional agricultural practices threaten these communities, their autonomy over the land, and the traditional knowledge and practices associated with biodiverse ecosystems. Agroecology emerges as an important solution to support the continuation of agrobiodiversity, food security, and environmental conservation, but top-down solutions often do not resonate with the lived realities of traditional, Indigenous, and small-scale farming communities. This paper examines a collaborative research and narrative network developed over the past several years around traditional erva-mate agroforestry production in Southern Paraná, Brazil. It offers an example of how oral environmental history and public history can support conservation practices through agroecology. The key outcomes of this interdisciplinary, multi-dimensional research and engagement were the development of a candidacy for the system to be recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) from the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the implementation of a Dynamic Conservation Action Plan to address the threats and challenges farmers and communities are facing. The discussion explores two concepts that were integral to these processes, the creation of narrative networks and a focus on plurivocity. Both approaches ensured that the actions, knowledge, and narratives developed through the GIAHS candidacy were not imposed but agreed upon and generative through narrative and dialogue, remaining true to the realities and lived experiences of community members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity monitoring in agricultural landscapes is important for assessing the effects of both land use change and activities that influence farmland biodiversity. Despite a considerable increase in citizen science approaches to biodiversity monitoring in recent decades, their potential in farmland-specific contexts has not been systematically examined. This paper therefore provides a comprehensive review of existing citizen science approaches involving biodiversity monitoring on farmland. Using three complementary methods, we identify a range of programmes at least partially covering farmland. From these, we develop a typology of eight programme types, reflecting distinctions in types of data collected and nature of volunteer involvement, and highlight their respective strengths and limitations. While all eight types can make substantial contributions to farmland biodiversity monitoring, there is considerable scope for their further development—particularly through increased engagement of farmers, for whom receiving feedback on the effects of their own practices could help facilitate adaptive management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In agriculture, the geography of specific crops can successfully support productivity monitoring and farming practices management. Vineyards particularly have a key role in modeling and protecting Mediterranean landscapes, representing a fundamental asset in the economies of inner areas. In this paper, we mapped the 2017 coverage of vineyards of the Vulture-Melfese, a specialized agricultural district of Basilicata (Southern Italy) renowned for hosting the Aglianico grapevine variety. To achieve this objective, we combined information extracted from free-accessible multisource data by leveraging the traditional photo-interpretation technique. Then, we characterized the mapped vineyards based on simple geo-environmental variables (size, elevation, climate). This detailed inventory can help public bodies and land managers to shape more specific local agricultural policies to strengthen the profitability of the agricultural sector, preserve agrobiodiversity and face climate change effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key policy instrument to conserve biodiversity in agricultural landscapes are agri-environment schemes (AES). AES typically incentivise specific conservation measures which are independent of a specific state of an ecosystem or a species. In this paper we take up the idea of state-dependent conservation measures which means that in each period of interest the decision about the design of the conservation measure is made dependent on the state of the ecosystem or the species of interest. We develop a modelling framework to compare the cost-effectiveness of AES which incentivise state-dependent conservation measures (AES-SD) with AES which incentivise state-independent conservation measures (AES-SI). We apply the framework to a case study of meadow bird conservation through specific mowing regimes in the Aller river valley in Germany, and compare an AES-SI with fixed mowing dates and an AES-SD with mowing dates depending on the phenological start of spring. We find that AES-SD substantially outperforms AES-SI. Cost-effectiveness gains arise as the connection of mowing dates to phenological events increase the breeding success of the meadow birds but also as farmers accept slightly lower compensation payments as mowing in dependence of the state of the grassland reduces fluctuations in their fodder yields. • We analyse the cost-effectiveness of state-dependent AES. • The design of state-dependent AES depends on the state of the ecosystem. • State-dependent conservation is known in conservation planning but new to AES design. • We design a state-dependent AES for meadow bird conservation in Germany. • We show that cost-effectiveness gains of a state-dependent AES can be substantial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global models of biodiversity and ecosystem services base their calculations on land use classifications, where agricultural land is only divided into a few categories of management intensity. These land use classifications were not developed to underpin biodiversity models. This is why crop diversity and the presence of non-crop plants or livestock in agricultural land are not considered in these classifications, despite the effect they have on agrobiodiversity and the supply of ecosystem services. Therefore, the use of these classifications in models results in neglecting current diversified agricultural systems and the effect of diversification practices on biodiversity and ecosystem services. In this paper, we present a new global classification of agricultural land management systems organized as a matrix of diversity and intensity ranges. The classification is based on a literature review and expert interviews and is illustrated by examples of agricultural systems around the world. This classification is a first step to build land use and land cover maps that consider diversified agricultural systems, which could then be used by global biodiversity and ecosystem services models. The matrix structure of the classification makes it flexible and adjustable to use for different purposes, such as exploring the potential of preserving biodiversity in agricultural land through land-use scenarios or assessing trade-offs between intensity and diversity. • Agricultural diversity and intensity classification to improve biodiversity models. • Mixture of crops, livestock and non-crop species characterize cropland diversity. • Pesticide use, fertilizer type and amount, and irrigation characterize intensity. • Grazing intensity, sowing and mowing management and age characterize grasslands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]