Opportunities and barriers for promoting biodiversity in Danish beef production

Rasmus Ejrnæs; Lars Dalby; Jesper Bladt; Skjold Alsted Søndergaard; Lasse Dümke; Camilla Fløjgaard; Lars Dyhrberg Bruun; Ditte Dalsgaard Ejrnæs; Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund; Hans Henrik Bruun

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2024.111422

Opportunities and barriers for promoting biodiversity in Danish beef production

Rasmus Ejrnæs, Lars Dalby, Jesper Bladt, Skjold Alsted Søndergaard, Lasse Dümke, Camilla Fløjgaard, Lars Dyhrberg Bruun, Ditte Dalsgaard Ejrnæs, Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund, Hans Henrik Bruun^*

^*Corresponding author af dette arbejde

Institut for Ecoscience - Biodiversitet

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift/Konferencebidrag i tidsskrift /Bidrag til avis › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › peer review

Abstract

Grazing at near-natural stocking rates is increasingly rare, whereas abandonment and overgrazing is common, despite both leading to loss of threatened species. Here, we evaluate a biodiversity-promotion strategy of a beef-producing company involving livestock grazing for conservation. Using field surveys, a national biodiversity map, and farmer interviews, we evaluate the conservation potential of farmers committing to a conservation grazing scheme. Most farmers practiced summer grazing, and—contrary to their pledge—primarily grazed areas of low conservation value, and with stocking rates far above carrying capacity. We conclude that a conservation grazing beef brand will only have real value for threatened species if committed to, and held accountable to, a scientifically informed grazing scheme. Our results point to rural traditions, legal regulations, and economic incentives as factors obstructing of a beneficial grazing practice. Hence, the results of this study call for a critical and scientifically informed approach to future land-sharing policies.

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Artikelnummer	111422
Tidsskrift	iScience
Vol/bind	27
Nummer	12
ISSN	2589-0042
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2024.111422
Status	Udgivet - 20 dec. 2024

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10.1016/j.isci.2024.111422Licens: CC BY-NC-ND

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abstract = "Grazing at near-natural stocking rates is increasingly rare, whereas abandonment and overgrazing is common, despite both leading to loss of threatened species. Here, we evaluate a biodiversity-promotion strategy of a beef-producing company involving livestock grazing for conservation. Using field surveys, a national biodiversity map, and farmer interviews, we evaluate the conservation potential of farmers committing to a conservation grazing scheme. Most farmers practiced summer grazing, and—contrary to their pledge—primarily grazed areas of low conservation value, and with stocking rates far above carrying capacity. We conclude that a conservation grazing beef brand will only have real value for threatened species if committed to, and held accountable to, a scientifically informed grazing scheme. Our results point to rural traditions, legal regulations, and economic incentives as factors obstructing of a beneficial grazing practice. Hence, the results of this study call for a critical and scientifically informed approach to future land-sharing policies.",

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AU - Ejrnæs, Rasmus

AU - Dalby, Lars

AU - Bladt, Jesper

AU - Søndergaard, Skjold Alsted

AU - Dümke, Lasse

AU - Fløjgaard, Camilla

AU - Bruun, Lars Dyhrberg

AU - Ejrnæs, Ditte Dalsgaard

AU - Moeslund, Jesper Erenskjold

AU - Bruun, Hans Henrik

PY - 2024/12/20

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N2 - Grazing at near-natural stocking rates is increasingly rare, whereas abandonment and overgrazing is common, despite both leading to loss of threatened species. Here, we evaluate a biodiversity-promotion strategy of a beef-producing company involving livestock grazing for conservation. Using field surveys, a national biodiversity map, and farmer interviews, we evaluate the conservation potential of farmers committing to a conservation grazing scheme. Most farmers practiced summer grazing, and—contrary to their pledge—primarily grazed areas of low conservation value, and with stocking rates far above carrying capacity. We conclude that a conservation grazing beef brand will only have real value for threatened species if committed to, and held accountable to, a scientifically informed grazing scheme. Our results point to rural traditions, legal regulations, and economic incentives as factors obstructing of a beneficial grazing practice. Hence, the results of this study call for a critical and scientifically informed approach to future land-sharing policies.

AB - Grazing at near-natural stocking rates is increasingly rare, whereas abandonment and overgrazing is common, despite both leading to loss of threatened species. Here, we evaluate a biodiversity-promotion strategy of a beef-producing company involving livestock grazing for conservation. Using field surveys, a national biodiversity map, and farmer interviews, we evaluate the conservation potential of farmers committing to a conservation grazing scheme. Most farmers practiced summer grazing, and—contrary to their pledge—primarily grazed areas of low conservation value, and with stocking rates far above carrying capacity. We conclude that a conservation grazing beef brand will only have real value for threatened species if committed to, and held accountable to, a scientifically informed grazing scheme. Our results point to rural traditions, legal regulations, and economic incentives as factors obstructing of a beneficial grazing practice. Hence, the results of this study call for a critical and scientifically informed approach to future land-sharing policies.

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KW - Ecology

KW - Relation between agriculture and environment

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SN - 2589-0042

VL - 27

JO - iScience

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Opportunities and barriers for promoting biodiversity in Danish beef production

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