Assessing levels, trade-offs and synergies of landscape services in the Iranian province of Qazvin: towards sustainable landscapes

Abstract Context Evidence-based knowledge is crucial for place-based production and learning towards sustainable landscapes through stewardship integrated spatial planning. Objectives We focus on the landscape service concept as a tool, three fundamental challenges its use: (1) how to monitor benefits provided by different landscapes; (2) demonstrate trade-offs synergies among in landscape; (3) discuss incorporate results from analyses into Methods As case study we chose Iranian Qazvin province with diverse natural anthropogenic landscapes, top-down societal steering. Five services (water yield, water regulation, pollination, actual net primary (NPPact) social-cultural connectivity) were assessed compared. Results All significantly correlated. Major between NPPact yield regulation. Trade-off synergy clusters showed that functions depend both patterns processes. Conclusions Providing transparent data about can facilitate which are important landscapes. For each of six settings suggest action plans. role planning, integrative research needs.