Soil functionality, landscape quality (habitats and biodiversity) and water quality in the intensive arable region “Marchfeld” in East Austria
The case study region “Marchfeld” is located in the North-East of Austria. The area is part of the sedimentary basin between the Easter Alps and the Carpathian Mountains and is characterized by semi-arid climate, with hot, dry summers and cold winters. The region is distinctively flat. The soils in the case study regions are mainly deep and fertile chernozems, characterized by rather dry conditions. Precipitation in the area is low and reaches between 500 and 600 mm/a.
One major public good issue for the regional stakeholders and experts in the Marchfeld is the functionality of the agricultural soils. Particularly due the intensive agricultural management, but also due to the climatic conditions in the Marchfeld, soil fertility and soil health are assumed to be endangered, while simultaneously representing the most important basis for agricultural production.
To analyse the agricultural cost of providing the public goods „climate stability/soil functionality“ and „diversity of agricultural landscapes“ in the Marchfeld, we carried out cost calculations on municipality level. Read more…
Monetary incentives are considered central tools featuring a number of connections in the system between mechanisms and public good provision, but also ancillary factors like enhanced collaboration between farmers or enhanced awareness building are important parts of an effective agri-environmental governance system. Read more…
Stakeholder Portal
Here you find outcomes of the participatory workshops and material concerning the region in national language.
- Lena Schaller, Jochen Kantelhardt, Stefano Targetti
Institut für Agrar- und Forstökonomie
Universität für Bodenkultur Wien lena.schaller@boku.ac.at
jochen.kantelhardt@boku.ac.at
stefano.targetti@boku.ac.at