An increased dependence on agricultural policies led European grazing agroecosystems to an unsustainability trap

Abstract As all production processes, the agrifood system is driven by energy and materials. The origin relative contribution of these resources to system’s functioning determines its sustainability. Here we analyse evolution sustainability mountain grazing agroecosystems, which are often perceived as a better alternative for animal food than industrial systems. Specifically, use Emergy Accounting assess dependency livestock farming on materials in Spanish Pyrenees along last three decades, using data collected through face-to-face surveys 1990, 2004 2018. We observe an increase farm dependence non-renewable resources, despite longer periods reduced off-farm feeds. increasing inflow public economic support services from socio-economic (mainly sources) transfers unsustainability agroecosystems.