OpenFields

The Sustainability of Hill Farming

A Relu Policy and Practice Note (No. 13) that summarising a research project that examines the impacts of agricultural policy reform on hill farm economics, biodiversity and upland landscapes.

Year of Publication2009

Upland ecosystems support traditional rural industries like hill farming, are home to species and habitats of conservation concern, and provide a wealth of ecosystem goods and services. The landscapes that we see today have been shaped over many years by the management practices of farmers and others, partly influenced by government policies on agricultural support. However, these policies are in a state of flux. Policy-makers need information regarding how ongoing policy changes are likely to affect farming communities and upland ecosystems and whether these policies will deliver what the public wants from the hills.

This item is categorised as follows

• Subject Collection > Environmental impact > Landscape
• Subject Collection > Environmental impact > Managing land for environmental benefit
• Subject Collection > Environmental impact > Wildlife & biodiversity
• Subject Collection > Rural policy & development
• Subject Collection > Rural policy & development > UK rural policy

Additional keywords/tags

species conservationuplandecosystem serviceshabitat conservation