Multifunctional Landscapes

Abstract

Multifunctional landscapes are typically characterized by diversified land use and complex landscape structure, thereby potentially covering many, often competing interests of different stakeholder groups. Central to the concept of multifunctionality is the assumption that this supply of a more diverse set of (market and non-market) goods leads to a number of environmental, social and economic benefits. Management strategies that increase the multifunctional use of landscapes, while sustaining natural resources for future generations, are therefore needed. Managing for landscape multifunctionality, however, requires some deep system changes, such as the collaboration between stakeholders across spatial scales and sectors as well as the transition toward more sustainable land management practices. Recently, assessments of landscape multifunctionality applying the ecosystem services framework (i.e., benefits that people obtain from nature) have emerged. In this article, we outline how such assessments have advanced our understanding of land use, which uncertainties and challenges remain to assess multifunctionality and how the valuation of multifunctionality could be used to make better informed management decisions.