The silvopastoral systems contributions to land maintenance in the Margeride region of the French Massif Central: characteristics and determining factors
Résumé
With the increases in farm size and reduction in the agricultural workforce, moutain agro and silvopastoral systems evolve toward simpler forms of farming. It also favours an increase of scrub and tree covers in the most fragmented parcels and in the most remote or steep sloping areas. The degree of simplication is variable and results in a ranging contribution to land maintenance. In the most wooded areas, this move causes concern and reduces the likelihood of environmental, social and economic benefits from functions of the rural areas. There is a risk of landscape and land use diversity loss