A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
New ideas for old landscapes: using a social-ecological approach for conservation of traditional rural biotopes - a case study from Finland.
Authors: Birge {L, Fred M
Publisher: MENDELOVA ZEMEDELSKA A LESNICKÁ UNIVERZITA V BRNE
Publication year: 2011
Journal: European Countryside
Journal name in source: European countryside
Volume: 3
Issue: 2
ISSN: 1803-8417
DOI: https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2478/v10091-011-0008-x
Web address : https://researchportal.helsinki.fi/en/publications/af77782e-075f-46ad-9e93-b95d930d572b
Abstract
Traditional rural biotopes (TRBs) are high nature value farmlands (HNV). There are only 20.000 ha of identifiableTRB left in Finland. Ecosystem services were explored as a way of better understanding the value of TRBs to society. Postal questionnaires were sent out to all farmers in Raasepori Municipality in SW Finland to locate TRBs. Frequency of on-farm tourism, direct sales and services to the public were compared between farms with and without TRBs. Return rate for questionnaires (n=326) was 40%. Farms with TRBs had a higher rate of services and sales to the general public. A third of respondents with TRBs said their TRBs provide non-agricultural goods or services and 1/4 said their TRBs are utilized by people from off-farm. Changes in policy toward more evidence-based approaches, adaptive management and consideration of ecosystem services could improve conservation of TRBs.
Traditional rural biotopes (TRBs) are high nature value farmlands (HNV). There are only 20.000 ha of identifiableTRB left in Finland. Ecosystem services were explored as a way of better understanding the value of TRBs to society. Postal questionnaires were sent out to all farmers in Raasepori Municipality in SW Finland to locate TRBs. Frequency of on-farm tourism, direct sales and services to the public were compared between farms with and without TRBs. Return rate for questionnaires (n=326) was 40%. Farms with TRBs had a higher rate of services and sales to the general public. A third of respondents with TRBs said their TRBs provide non-agricultural goods or services and 1/4 said their TRBs are utilized by people from off-farm. Changes in policy toward more evidence-based approaches, adaptive management and consideration of ecosystem services could improve conservation of TRBs.