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Land-use choices follow profitability at the expense of ecological functions in Indonesian smallholder landscapes

Authors :
Yann, Clough
Vijesh V, Krishna
Marife D, Corre
Kevin, Darras
Lisa H, Denmead
Ana, Meijide
Stefan, Moser
Oliver, Musshoff
Stefanie, Steinebach
Edzo, Veldkamp
Kara, Allen
Andrew D, Barnes
Natalie, Breidenbach
Ulrich, Brose
Damayanti, Buchori
Rolf, Daniel
Reiner, Finkeldey
Idham, Harahap
Dietrich, Hertel
A Mareike, Holtkamp
Elvira, Hörandl
Bambang, Irawan
I Nengah Surati, Jaya
Malte, Jochum
Bernhard, Klarner
Alexander, Knohl
Martyna M, Kotowska
Valentyna, Krashevska
Holger, Kreft
Syahrul, Kurniawan
Christoph, Leuschner
Mark, Maraun
Dian Nuraini, Melati
Nicole, Opfermann
César, Pérez-Cruzado
Walesa Edho, Prabowo
Katja, Rembold
Akhmad, Rizali
Ratna, Rubiana
Dominik, Schneider
Sri Sudarmiyati, Tjitrosoedirdjo
Aiyen, Tjoa
Teja, Tscharntke
Stefan, Scheu
Source :
Nature Communications, Vol 7, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2016), Nature Communications
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Smallholder-dominated agricultural mosaic landscapes are highlighted as model production systems that deliver both economic and ecological goods in tropical agricultural landscapes, but trade-offs underlying current land-use dynamics are poorly known. Here, using the most comprehensive quantification of land-use change and associated bundles of ecosystem functions, services and economic benefits to date, we show that Indonesian smallholders predominantly choose farm portfolios with high economic productivity but low ecological value. The more profitable oil palm and rubber monocultures replace forests and agroforests critical for maintaining above- and below-ground ecological functions and the diversity of most taxa. Between the monocultures, the higher economic performance of oil palm over rubber comes with the reliance on fertilizer inputs and with increased nutrient leaching losses. Strategies to achieve an ecological-economic balance and a sustainable management of tropical smallholder landscapes must be prioritized to avoid further environmental degradation.<br />Small-scale farmers in Southeast Asia are increasingly turning to monocultures of oil palm and rubber to maximize income. Clough and colleagues demonstrate that this land-use change in Indonesia comes at a cost to a wide array of ecosystem functions and biodiversity.

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Nature Communications, Vol 7, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2016), Nature Communications
Accession number :
edsair.pmid.dedup....8b2b539c89f78ed40ae871a7f9d6c21f