On the contribution of modelling to multifunctional agriculture : learning from 1 comparisons 2 3

20 21 In this paper a set of criteria is proposed for the evaluation of the potential contribution of modelling 22 tools to strengthening the multifunctionality of agriculture. The four main areas of evaluation are (1) 23 policy relevance, (2) the temporal resolution and scope, (3) the degree to which spatial and socio24 institutional scales and heterogeneity are addressed and (4) the level of integration in the assessment of 25 scientific dimensions and of the multiple functions of agriculture. The evaluative criteria are applied to 26 the portfolio of modelling approaches developed and applied in a joint project of the French research 27 institute INRA and the Dutch Wageningen University & Research Centre. 28 The CLUE-S model focuses on prediction of changes in multifunctional land-use at regional scale, 29 given a set of predetermined scenarios or policy variants, e.g. for ex-ante policy assessment and 30 initiation discussions on regional development. The two other modelling approaches are 31 complementary and aim to address multifunctional farming activities. The Landscape IMAGES 32 framework generates a range of static images of possible but sometimes distant futures for 33 multifunctional farming activities in a small region or landscape. It supports the exploration of trade34 Author-produced version of the article published in Journal of Environmental Management, Volume 90, Supplement 2, May 2009, Pages S147-S160 Original publication available at ScienceDirect http://www;sciencedirect.com doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2008.11.030 ha l-0 04 55 43 3, v er si on 1 10 F eb 2 01 0 Author manuscript, published in "Journal of Environmental Management 90, 2 (2009) p. S147 p. S160" DOI : 10.1016/j.jenvman.2008.11.030