Green infrastructure and Rural Abandonment

Rural farmland abandonment in Europe is an ongoing process with potentially important social and environmental impacts, especially in so-called High Nature Value (HNV) farmland. Green Infrastructure can offer solutions for both the prevention of farmland abandonment and for minimising the negative impacts when farmland is already abandoned. The CAP, in particular, but also general environmental, social and economic policies are implicated.

In areas where rural abandonment is taking place due to low economic viability caused by small farm and parcel sizes, landscapes often contain a high level and variety of Green Infrastructure, with high biodiversity values and scenic beauty. Farmers in these HNV areas are often obliged economically to get part of their income from other activities. Prevention of abandonment can be addressed by investing in the better use and development of services delivered by Green Infrastructure. For example, increased economic viability can result from training and advice on farming practices that make better use of Green Infrastructure ecosystem services, by exploiting Green Infrastructure potential to develop tourism and by investments in multifunctional use of Green Infrastructure (e.g., climate adaptation, carbon sequestration and water retention). Rural abandonment can also be prevented by specifically linking Green Infrastructure related funding to these areas, such as opportunities offered by HNV-related CAP funding, European Structural Funds, Payment for Ecosystem Services schemes and LIFE projects.

When abandonment has already taken place, Green Infrastructure can help to exploit the opportunities that land-use change provides. For instance, reforestation and rewilding (letting or assisting the area return to a wilderness state) are options to exploit abandoned areas for carbon sequestration, soil and nutrient protection, water regulation and recreation. At the same time, this helps decrease fragmentation, provide habitats for large carnivores and contribute to Natura 2000 objectives.