Maximizing local (α) diversity and regional/national (γ) diversity involves different considerations and can lead to trade-offs or synergies in agro-environmental policy design. Here are some potential trade-offs and synergies to consider:
Trade-offs:
Efficiency vs. Resilience: Maximizing local diversity (α) at the farm level may require more resources and management practices, potentially impacting efficiency. On the other hand, focusing on regional/national diversity (γ) may prioritize resilience at a larger scale but could lead to less diverse individual farms.
Uniformity vs. Heterogeneity: Increasing regional/national diversity (γ) may promote uniformity across landscapes, which can reduce the heterogeneity of ecosystems. This trade-off between uniformity and heterogeneity should be carefully balanced to maintain ecosystem health.
Synergies:
Complementary Strategies: Policymakers can adopt complementary strategies to maximize both local (α) and regional/national (γ) diversity. For example, promoting crop rotations at the farm level can contribute to overall diversity at the regional scale.
Ecosystem Services: Enhancing local diversity (α) can contribute to ecosystem services at the farm level, while promoting regional/national diversity (γ) can enhance ecosystem services at a larger scale. These synergies can lead to more sustainable agricultural practices.
To navigate these considerations, policymakers should adopt a holistic approach that considers both local and regional/national scales. Balancing the trade-offs and leveraging the synergies between maximizing local and regional/national diversity can lead to more effective and sustainable agro-environmental policies in the EU.