A fuzzy cognitive mapping approach for the assessment of public-goods governance in agricultural landscapes

In Europe, growing concerns about the environmental impacts of agriculture have stimulated development more efficient governance options to be included in, or complement, current agri-environmental policies. However, a significant hurdle for implementation enhanced policy tools is difficult adaptation promising approaches, such as collective contracts and private-based payments services, locally specific, socio-economic institutional contexts different European regions. this study, we apply participatory approach based on Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping technique, in assessing mechanisms, including improved monetary incentives potential an design agricultural landscape governance. Our analysis specifically assesses interactions between rural society, public goods policies under different, relevant economic social scenarios. The study carried out Marchfeld, intensive case-study area Eastern Austria, which features number problems. work two-year-long process focus groups, mind mapping scenario co-development, well individual interviews with local stakeholders. results show that integrating private public, performance-orientated other non-monetary mechanisms like farmers’ partnerships awareness building are evaluated central effective system. Moreover, highlight futures major effects effectiveness mechanisms: purely market-driven context, collaborations among farmers likely ineffective less efficient. On hand, positive pressures influence initiatives expected sustainability-driven able catalyse adoption environmental-friendly practices, also at lower rates. Based results, discuss problem landscapes, relevance ancillary factors infrastructure, marketing, supporting feasibility public-goods ‘governance’.