Livestock intensification in rural areas and the provision of socio-environmental and cultural services

Abstract

The intensification of the livestock sector has shaped the landscape of France and has lasting influence in livestock areas over time. Past intensification ultimately determines the actual level of socio-environmental and cultural services provided by livestock. We propose an analysis of the intensification of the French livestock between 1938 and 2010 and its consequences on the current provision of services. We compiled two databases at department level. With the first one we characterised the trajectories of intensification over the 1938-2010 period, with socioeconomic as well as land use and productivity indicators. With the second one we measured the current level of provision of three types of services – environmental, cultural and of rural vitality. We identified four intensification trajectories, among which two having livestock as a major player. The first trajectory reflected the highest level of intensification of monogastrics and herbivores, translated into high productivity levels, increased stocking rates and the intensive use of fodder area. It is associated to a bundle marked by the provision of rural vitality and cultural services. The second trajectory reflected the grazing specialisation characterised by moderate levels of productivity. It is associated to a bundle marked by a synergy between environmental and cultural services. Both bundles also revealed a trade-off among some indicators of rural vitality and environmental services, highlighting the inappropriate intensification of areas that ultimately compromise the possibility of reaching diversified and balanced bundles of services. Our analysis suggests that the actual level of services provision across livestock areas reflects the intensification levels reached long before 2010.