A Geospatial Modelling Approach to Assess the Capability of High-Country Stations in Delivering Ecosystem Services

Fabiellen C. Pereira (), Stuart Charters, Carol M. S. Smith, Thomas M. R. Maxwell and Pablo Gregorini
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Fabiellen C. Pereira: Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand
Stuart Charters: Centre of Excellence Designing Future Productive Landscapes, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand
Carol M. S. Smith: Centre of Excellence Designing Future Productive Landscapes, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand
Thomas M. R. Maxwell: Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand
Pablo Gregorini: Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, Lincoln 7674, New Zealand

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: The creation of more sustainable land use strategies is paramount to designing multifunctional agricultural landscapes that allow grasslands to continually deliver multiple ecosystem services. A mapping modelling approach would provide us with a tool for system diagnosis to better assess the value of a landscape and define place-based practices for designing more context-adjusted systems that are in synergy with the complexity of grasslands. To assess the potential capability of a high-country pastoral livestock production system in New Zealand in delivering ecosystem services, this work uses a geospatial model as a decision support tool to identify management practices that enhance grassland health. The model uses national, climatic, soil, and landcover data to assess the agricultural productivity, flood mitigation, C sequestration, erosion, and sediment delivery capacity of a case study high-country station in New Zealand. Model outcomes suggest that the station has the potential for increased agricultural productivity although varying spatially, a high flood mitigation capacity, a high capacity for C sequestration, a moderate risk of erosion, a capacity to reduce sediment delivery to streams, and overall, a low to moderate nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation. Output maps display a spatial visualisation of ecosystem services associated with the landscape topography, soil, and vegetation patterns that allow the identification of neglected areas and planning of best place-based management practices strategies to enhance the health of grasslands.

Keywords: grassland health; grazing management; multifunctional landscape; pastoral livestock production systems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:12:y:2023:i:6:p:1243-:d:1173308

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