Land upkeep associated to livestock farming: characteristics and relations to the farms dynamics: study in a valley of the French Massif Central mountains

Abstract

In areas subject to agricultural decline, the control of fallows and preservation of land upkeep are often a "by-product" of farming wanted by managers in charge of the rural development. This "by-product" is rarely paid. Our study proposes references and a method to analyse elaboration of this environmental service. It aims to help managers of rural areas with the definition of theirs interventions. Our analyse of farm land-uses and users in a valley of the French Massif Central mountains shows that the capacity of land-upkeep by farming varies in space and time, and with respect to the type of farmers, of their dynamic and their localisation. To analyse and to have an effect on this process, we conclude: 1-the dynamics of jointed farms and their space dispatching have to be studied, 2-interventions should be adapted with respect to type of farmer.