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Economic and ecological trade-offs of agricultural specialization at different spatial scales
[journal article]
Abstract Specialization in agricultural systems can lead to trade-offs between economic gains and ecosystem functions. We suggest and explore a conceptual framework in which economic gains can be maximized when production activities are specialized at increasingly broader scales (from the household to the vi... view more
Specialization in agricultural systems can lead to trade-offs between economic gains and ecosystem functions. We suggest and explore a conceptual framework in which economic gains can be maximized when production activities are specialized at increasingly broader scales (from the household to the village, region or above), particularly when markets for outputs and inputs function well. Conversely, more specialization likely reduces biodiversity and significantly limits ecosystem functions. When agricultural specialization increases and moves to broader scales as a result of improved infrastructure and markets or other drivers, ecosystem functions can also be endangered at broader spatial scales. Policies to improve agricultural incomes may influence the level of specialization at different scales and thus affect the severity of the trade-offs. This paper takes Jambi province in Indonesia, a current hotspot of rubber and oil palm monoculture, as a case study to illustrate these issues. We empirically show that the level of specialization differs across scales with higher specialization at household and village levels and higher diversification towards the province level. We discuss ways to resolve trade-offs between economic gains and ecological costs, including landscape design, targeted policies, and adoption of long-term perspectives.... view less
Keywords
agricultural industry; agriculture; organic farming; ecological consequences; ecological system; economic efficiency; Indonesia; Southeast Asia
Classification
Ecology, Environment
Economic Sectors
Free Keywords
Agrarsektor; Monokultur; Umweltschaden; Kautschuk; Palmöl
Document language
English
Publication Year
2016
Page/Pages
p. 111-120
Journal
Ecological Economics, 122 (2016)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolecon.2016.01.001
ISSN
0921-8009
Status
Published Version; peer reviewed