A conceptual model to integrate the regional context in landscape policy, management and contribution to rural development: Literature review and European case study evidence

Agri-environmental policies and planning influence agricultural landscape management, and thus the capacity to
deliver landscape services and to contribute to rural viability. Numerous models and frameworks have been
developed to improve comprehension of the mechanisms and interrelationships between policies, landscape and
socio-economic values and benefits. As social-ecological systems, landscapes are closely depending from the
socio-institutional and territorial context of the specific rural locality. The paper proposes an enhanced
framework for assessing these mechanisms by acknowledging the critical role of the regional macroenvironment.
A literature review and the revisiting of evidence from eight European case studies are applied
to establish a comprehensive understanding and exemplification of the links between the policies, landscape,
ecosystem services and value flows. Results highlight the need for integrative, inter- and transdisciplinary
research approaches. Efficient landscape policies require enhanced regional embeddedness and targeting,
acknowledgement of user demands and the capability of regional community and governance structures for
policy implementation and natural capital valorisation.