What is the future of abandoned agricultural lands? A systematic review of alternative trajectories in Europe

Agricultural land abandonment and its impacts on landscape features have been a striking characteristic of many European rural areas over the last decades. Although previous research identified drivers environmental abandonment, few described post-agricultural trajectories. However, examining driving forces leading to different trajectories is key understand how alternative uses these lands can be developed address environmental, economic, social challenges faced in areas. This paper reviews literature observed after agricultural related processes. Based evidence, we proposed novel categorisation trajectories, with their outcomes. In most reported cases, transitioned towards semi-natural landscapes returned abandonment. The common force trajectory was absence management where secondary succession processes led landscapes. Quality state were variable. Alternative essentially driven by institutional socio-economic within biophysical constraints opportunities for (re-)afforestation, re-farming, multifunctional While abandoned bring respond biodiversity other policy goals, evidence across case studies suggests that adequate resources incentives are required stimulate favourable development, mitigate, potential trade-offs, support management.