Assessing the impact of grassland management on landscape multifunctionality

Land-use intensification has contrasting effects on different ecosystem services, often leading to land-use conflicts. While multiple studies have demonstrated how landscape-scale strategies can minimise the trade-off between agricultural production and biodiversity conservation, little is known about which maximise landscape-level supply of services (landscape multifunctionality), a common goal stakeholder communities. We combine comprehensive data collected from 150 German grassland sites with simulation approach identify landscape compositions, differing proportions low-, medium-, high-intensity grasslands, that trade-offs six main prioritised by local stakeholders: aesthetic value, productivity, carbon storage, foraging, regional identity. Results are made accessible through an online tool provides information compositions best meet any combination user-defined priorities (https://neyret.shinyapps.io/landscape_composition_for_multifunctionality/). show optimal composition be identified for pattern service priorities. However, multifunctionality was similar low all in cases where there strong (e.g. value fodder production), many were prioritised, drivers other than land use played important role. also found if moderate levels deemed acceptable, then both high intensity grasslands present deliver multifunctionality. The presented aid informed decision-making predicting impact future changes composition, allowing relative roles biophysical understood scientists practitioners alike.