An Economic Perspective on Land Use Decisions in Agricultural Landscapes: Insights from the TEEB Germany Study

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June 2017
Authors: 
C. Albert et al.
This study synthesises insights from “Natural Capital Germany – TEEB DE,” with a particular focus on rural areas. The objectives of the TEEB (The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity) study were to explore causes of the continued decline of ecosystem services and biodiversity and to introduce case studies exemplifying their economic significance in land use decisions. Building upon this analysis, key recommendations for policy, planning, and management are provided.
 
The findings indicate that the continued decrease of ecosystem services and biodiversity in Germany can be explained by implementation deficits within a well-established nature conservation system. Three case studies on grassland protection, the establishment of riverbank buffer zones, and water-sensitive farming illustrate the potential usefulness of introducing an economic perspective in conveying recognition of the values of ecosystem services and biodiversity. The authors provide five recommendations for enhancing the value of natural capital in rural areas: 
  • Highlighting the benefits of ecosystem services, 
  • Minimizing land use for settlements and traffic, 
  • Reducing nutrient surpluses, 
  • Advancing agri-environmental policy, and
  • Pushing for further policy integration.
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Country: 
Germany
Sectors: 
Agriculture
Themes: 
Indicators and Measurement, Natural Capital
Key search terms: 
land use, agriculture, natural capital, economic valuation of natural capital, natural capital accounting, natural capital management

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