This is evident from the PhD research of environmental psychologist Catherine Fayet. She investigated the possibilities and limitations for the development of alternative management responses to agricultural land abandonment in Europe.
Positive and negative consequences
When agricultural activities on the land stop, vegetation often grows back, causing a mix of positive and negative consequences (trade-offs). For example, while abandonment can provide space for nature to return (e.g. rewilding), it can also mean the loss of cultural landscapes or increase the risk of forest fires in some regions. Fayet identified and described the different options after abandonment of agricultural land, with their consequences (benefits and risks) and assessed how abandoned agricultural lands can contribute to the objectives of the European Union's environmental policy, by analyzing which pathways for abandoned agricultural land deliver more positive outcomes , with low trade-offs, in different geographical contexts across Europe.
There are different pathways to agricultural land abandonment, ranging from passive management (natural regrowth of vegetation) to more active interventions (recultivation), each with context-specific benefits, risks and trade-offs. Decision-making to identify the best responses to agricultural land abandonment in a given context is a complex process that requires the collective expertise of scientists, policy makers and local stakeholders. Increasing knowledge exchange between science and policy is also essential to increase the visibility of abandoned lands in policy, enable remanagement where necessary, to maximize the opportunities that can arise from these lands to fulfill functions beyond agriculture (cultural heritage, biodiversity conservation).
Implications for social, economic and environmental factors
The abandonment of agricultural land has implications for social, economic and environmental factors, as it means loss of production, traditional knowledge and cultural landscapes. Fields that were previously cultivated in certain ways (for example meadows with hedges) disappear when management stops. This can affect tourism and the local identity of the area. Meanwhile, abandonment can also provide opportunities for other activities, such as rewilding (introduction of iconic species).
There are different views on what should be done with abandoned agricultural land. In addition to individual preferences, it is critical to assess the potential implications of each post-cessation option to maximize benefits and minimize risks. This requires preconditions to maintain agricultural management or to address the causes of abandonment as a matter of priority, where natural vegetation is unlikely to produce positive results. For example, when options for human management of the landscape are limited, natural grazing helps reduce the risk of forest fires and preserve open areas that are beneficial for some species.