Interaction between farming systems, riparian zones, and landscape patterns: a case study in western France

We analyze the factors driving land use within and outside riparian zones in four small (about 800 ha) watersheds in Brittany. The results show a difference between riparian and non-riparian zones (less used for grassland), but other factors are also important, such as field size or farm management...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Landscape and urban planning 2004-03, Vol.67 (1), p.121-129
Main Authors: Baudry, Jacques, Thenail, Claudine
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Applied ecology
Biological and medical sciences
Farming
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects
Humanities and Social Sciences
Landscape patterns
Life Sciences
Riparian zones
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Summary:We analyze the factors driving land use within and outside riparian zones in four small (about 800 ha) watersheds in Brittany. The results show a difference between riparian and non-riparian zones (less used for grassland), but other factors are also important, such as field size or farm management type. In large farms, small fields are easily abandoned. A multivariate analysis with farm and field characteristics explains 30% of land use variation. Our results suggest that farm type deflects land use from the regional mode, so it is important, in the implementation of environmental zoning, to assess constraints at the farm level.
ISSN:0169-2046
1872-6062
DOI:10.1016/S0169-2046(03)00033-1