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Using games to assess the ecological value of Swiss grasslands. A contribution to an agricultural economic approach
The main idea of the master thesis is to participate to the evaluation of grasslands ecosystem services (ES) in Switzerland by using participatory approaches with the stakeholders. The thesis should contribute to have a set of values (biophysical, economic and social assessment) for grasslands ES.
Grasslands are of highest importance for ES supply and demand. On the one hand, they are feedstock for global animal production (Soussana and Lüscher 2007). On the other hand, they provide many other, but non-marketable ES such climate regulation, soil formation, pollination and contribute to recreation and rural amenities (Isbell et al. 2011; Byrnes et al. 2014; Sanderson et al. 2004). These aspects are of particular importance for Switzerland, with more than 70% of the agricultural production area being grassland, the backbone of Swiss agriculture (Finger et al. 2012; Calanca and Fuhrer 2005). A better understanding of ES supply and demand in grasslands is critical for the prioritization of investments and the evaluation and development of policy instruments.
The master thesis will be part of the VALUEGRASS project. This project aims to 1) estimate the economic value of grassland ES using biophysical and economic data and 2) identify spatially explicit land-use management strategies that maximize the total expected economic value of Swiss grasslands while reducing the associated risks. The master thesis will belong to the first axis of the project aiming at estimate of the economic value of grassland ES according to the management intensity. The thesis will focus on the identification and, if possible, the estimation of the components of grasslands value, in direct interaction with the local stakeholders.
The master thesis would ideally be supported by a literature research performed by a bachelor student and should be co-supervised between the AECP Group (solenle@ethz.ch) and the Group of Forest Management and Development (anne.dray@usys.ethz.ch)
Research questions:
1. Does the concept of ES make sense from a farmer’s perspective?
2. What are the critical ES in grasslands from the stakeholders’ perspective?
3. What are the values of these ES?
4. Can we identify gaps between i) the scientific expertise, ii) farmers´ knowledge and perception and iii) the directives of the policy maker, regarding the ecological role of grasslands in Switzerland?
Grasslands are of highest importance for ES supply and demand. On the one hand, they are feedstock for global animal production (Soussana and Lüscher 2007). On the other hand, they provide many other, but non-marketable ES such climate regulation, soil formation, pollination and contribute to recreation and rural amenities (Isbell et al. 2011; Byrnes et al. 2014; Sanderson et al. 2004). These aspects are of particular importance for Switzerland, with more than 70% of the agricultural production area being grassland, the backbone of Swiss agriculture (Finger et al. 2012; Calanca and Fuhrer 2005). A better understanding of ES supply and demand in grasslands is critical for the prioritization of investments and the evaluation and development of policy instruments. The master thesis will be part of the VALUEGRASS project. This project aims to 1) estimate the economic value of grassland ES using biophysical and economic data and 2) identify spatially explicit land-use management strategies that maximize the total expected economic value of Swiss grasslands while reducing the associated risks. The master thesis will belong to the first axis of the project aiming at estimate of the economic value of grassland ES according to the management intensity. The thesis will focus on the identification and, if possible, the estimation of the components of grasslands value, in direct interaction with the local stakeholders. The master thesis would ideally be supported by a literature research performed by a bachelor student and should be co-supervised between the AECP Group (solenle@ethz.ch) and the Group of Forest Management and Development (anne.dray@usys.ethz.ch)
Research questions: 1. Does the concept of ES make sense from a farmer’s perspective? 2. What are the critical ES in grasslands from the stakeholders’ perspective? 3. What are the values of these ES? 4. Can we identify gaps between i) the scientific expertise, ii) farmers´ knowledge and perception and iii) the directives of the policy maker, regarding the ecological role of grasslands in Switzerland?
Goal
The thesis aims to give insights into the perception of stakeholders’ of the supply of grasslands ES. It should help filling the gap between scientists’ expertise and farmers’ expectation and policy decisions.
Methods:
1.) Design and application of participatory methods with Swiss farmers and policy makers to identify the critical ES from the point of view of these stakeholders and estimate the perceived ecological value of the plots. 2.) Statistical analysis to crosscheck and compare the expert-based list of grasslands ES with stakeholders´ list. 3.) Mapping the perceived values of grassland ES.
Goal The thesis aims to give insights into the perception of stakeholders’ of the supply of grasslands ES. It should help filling the gap between scientists’ expertise and farmers’ expectation and policy decisions.
Methods: 1.) Design and application of participatory methods with Swiss farmers and policy makers to identify the critical ES from the point of view of these stakeholders and estimate the perceived ecological value of the plots. 2.) Statistical analysis to crosscheck and compare the expert-based list of grasslands ES with stakeholders´ list. 3.) Mapping the perceived values of grassland ES.
Solen Le Clec´h - solenle@ethz.ch
Anne Dray - anne.dray@usys.ethz.ch
Solen Le Clec´h - solenle@ethz.ch Anne Dray - anne.dray@usys.ethz.ch