Sessions

1 Visions

1.1 Social-ecological transformation in the Global South: toward better integrated landscape approaches

Convenors:
Stefan Sieber, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Germany
Katharina Löhr, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Germany
Jörn Fischer, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Germany

Gaining a better understanding of the consequences of ecosystem restoration, and the mechanisms involved in generating those consequences, is especially important in the Global South. From an ecological perspective, many of the world’s most biodiverse areas occur in the Global South, and many of these are under pressure from human activities. It is vital to understand to what extent various types of ambitious initiatives actually succeed in restoring biodiversity, including species, populations, and ecosystems of conservation concern. From a social perspective, many conservation efforts in the Global South are governed in a top-down fashion, including with respect to restoration initiatives. Inappropriate governance, however, can have negative (albeit unintended) social consequences, for example by undermining community cohesion or by causing social injustice. Also, the ecological and social outcomes of restoration are intimately intertwined, especially in the Global South. For example, the livelihoods of rural residents often directly depend on the state of ecosystems, and many indigenous rural residents have deep cultural links to the natural environment. To date, analyses of the various ecological and social consequences of ecosystem restoration are often only rudimentary, and social-ecological links remain especially poorly understood. This session brings together social-ecological perspectives to foster more integrated landscape approaches.

1.2 Knowledge interchange and landscape transformation in a decolonial perspective: vulnerable communities under multiple risks in the contemporary Global South

Convenors:
​​​​​​​Michelle Chevelev-Bonatti, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) & Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
Teresa da Silva Rosa, University of Vila Velha, Brazil
Stefan Sieber, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF) & Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany

Through the lens of the socio-ecological construction of risk, this session aims to discuss the experiences of territories marginalised by the capitalist model of development in the Global South which impose landscape transformations. As social actors (governance systems, policy makers, economic groups, and communities) do not take territorial rationality into account, their actions are part of a multi-factorial cycle that creates landscapes with high exposure to risks and increases socio-environmental injustices. The impacts, risks and disasters experienced by both rural and urban communities become part of the inherently complex process of reading the world. This process is capable of fostering the co-production of local knowledge emerging from citizens' everyday lives.
Through case studies, local strategies for overcoming and/or coping with the experiences of neglected communities in the Global South can inspire other communities that are subjected to the process of neo-liberal capitalism. Inspired by an interdisciplinary and decolonial perspective, this discussion will explore both scientifically produced and local knowledge based on the everyday experiences of populations facing the challenges posed by territorial situations of transformation, risk and disaster in urban or rural environments. Taking into account the rich exchange between community knowledge and scientific knowledge, this panel proposes a critical theoretical-methodological reflection on the context of contemporary transformations of rural and urban landscapes. Therefore, this session starts from the decolonial critique of the capitalist development model to debate the processes of co-production of local knowledge from the perspective of the daily experiences of neglected, vulnerable communities under the contemporary multiple risks, understood as part of the transformation of the landscape not only under neoliberal globalisation, but since the colonial period.

1.3 Coordination and collaboration in agri-environmental schemes for landscape level management of agroecosystems in transformation

Convenors:
Robert Huber, Agricultural Economics and Policy ETH Zürich, Switzerland
Katrin Prager, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Martin Schönhart, Federal Institute of Agricultural Economics, Rural and Mountain Research, Austria
Robert Finger, Agricultural Economics and Policy ETH Zürich, Switzerland

Changes in farming practices are needed to transition into a more sustainable use of agroecosystems. Agri-environmental schemes are a key mechanism to incentivize farmers to adopt more sustainable practices. However, current schemes are often inefficient and ineffective because they target individual farms. Using agri-environmental schemes that target groups of farms and enable collaboration and coordination across farm boundaries could be superior, e.g., because biodiversity outcomes emerge at landscape levels. Studies have recently looked at i) different design options for landscape scale management of agroecosystems; ii) farmers’ preferences and perceptions of collaboration and coordination; iii) drivers of factors that enable or hindered the success of these schemes and iv) new technologies such as remote sensing or eDNA that can be used to monitor and assess biodiversity in such schemes. However, an overarching picture of what works (or does not work) is still missing. The purpose of this session is to bring together experiences of real-world implementations of collaboration and coordination with cutting-edge research in agricultural economics, political sciences, and ecology. This allows to identify and discuss research gaps that should be addressed for upscaling collaboration and coordination approaches. The Session will identify the potential of new and innovative agri-environmental schemes that support a more effective and efficient transformation of agroecosystems.

1.4 Resilient agriculture: assessing climate impacts and adaptation practices in rural landscapes

Convenor:
Sandro Luis, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
Rodrigo Rudge Ramos Ribeiro, Getulio Vargas Foundation, Brazil

The session is dedicated to discuss climate impacts and adaptive practices in rural landscapes, with emphasizing on resilience resilience in agriculture. By case studies of evaluating climate impacts in rural settings, our aim is to showcase different methodologies, adaptation strategies, and practical experiences.
The session it is in line with the conference's broader theme of "Agroecosystems in Transformation." It contributes by exploring how climate impacts influence rural areas and how adaptive practices shape the resilience of agricultural systems.
This session brings together research and practical methods, offering a space for interdisciplinary dialogue. Giving attention to the often-neglected rural areas in the context of climate impacts.
As climate change increasingly threatens global food security, understanding and implementing resilient agricultural practices are of paramount importance. This session addresses the societal relevance of building adaptive capacity in rural landscapes.

1.5 Towards chemical pesticide-free European agriculture

Convenor:
Christian Huyghe, French National Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE), France

The session will join participants that address current concepts to transform European agriculture towards a reduced or even a full avoidance of the application of chemical-synthetic pesticides while preserving its productive and economic performances, thanks to research and technological as well as organizational innovations. The alliance of 37 agriculture research institutions “Towards chemical pesticide-free Agriculture in 2050” will join participants from several European states that give insights in latest concepts and developments to achieve this ambitious transformation goal. A discussion forum will allow to address questions to the speakers and to discuss promising routes to achieve a substantial reduction of the use and application of pesticides in plant production in Europe.

1.6 Exploration of Diversification strategies for agricultural system transformation

Convenor:
Kathrin Grahmann, Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Germany

This session advocates for a paradigm shift towards more diversified, adaptive, and resilient agricultural systems that balance productivity, environmental stewardship, and socio-economic viability. Session talks emphasize the need for integrated approaches that recognize the complex interactions between agricultural landscapes, ecosystems, and society, and call for collaborative efforts to address the multifaceted challenges facing agricultural sustainability.

1.7 Trigger change! Innovative sustainable agriculture solutions for land restoration: a global course

Convenor:
Karen Sudmeier-Rieux, UNCCD / G20 Global Land Initiative, Switzerland

Young people around the world are abandoning agriculture and seeking exciting new opportunities in urban areas, while land is under even more pressure to produce under more uncertain climate conditions. Yet, there is an emerging trend toward innovative land restoration, with opportunities for stable earnings, while counteracting the effects of climate change and biodiversity decline. However, most agricultural science programs do not equip their graduates to undertake land restoration. The conclusion is that there is a gap in interdisciplinary courses available to agricultural Universities for bridging innovation and entrepreneurship, sustainable agriculture, and land restoration.
This session introduces a new global course which has been developed by the G20 Global Land Initiative and a global consortium of University partners and practitioners. The elective course: “Trigger change! Innovative agriculture solutions for land restoration” is intended to bridge this gap while promoting innovative teaching practices. It has been developed as a modular course for post-graduate students of agriculture programs at any University worldwide, promoting a systems approach to innovation in sustainable land management with the potential to foster long-term land stewardship. It is freely available to any higher education institution with a mandate to teach agriculture and land restoration. Three additional courses are being planned and will be presented.

1.8 The socio-economic performance of agroecology

Convenors:
Ioanna Mouratiadou, ISARA, France & Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Germany
Maria Luisa Paracchini, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Italy

Agroecology is identified by science, policy, stakeholders and local communities as a promising solution to increase the sustainability of agricultural and food systems. This is due to its diversified potential positive effects linked to stabilisation of yields and productivity, enhanced environmental performance, culturally sensitive and socially just approaches. The benefits of agroecology for the environment and food security and nutrition are widely recognised. However, what about its socio-economic performance?
This session aims to shed light on the socio-economic performance of agroecology by addressing the following topics:

• What evidence do we have on the socio-economic performance of agroecology, based on theoretical grounds and/or empirical examples?
• Under which conditions do we expect the agroecological approach to farming to outperform the conventional approach from a socio-economic perspective?
• What policies are required to ensure and promote an economically successful and socially appropriate agroecological transition in the future across farm, landscape and food system levels?