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General information
Themes and topics
Landscapes are used for several purposes simultaneously,
which go beyond the economic aspects of agricultural and
forestal production. Landscapes also play an important
role with regard to non-commodity output. They are fundamental
parts of our water supply system and can be managed to
provide biodiversity, which in turn helps to create an
attractive area for human recreation. This multi-dimensional
view is addressed when we discuss the “multifunctionality
of landscapes”, a topic increasingly perceived as important
even outside of academic circles.
- Multifunctionality: support for the decision-making
process and policy implications
In Europe, “multifunctionality of landscapes”
has become a central concept for a new agricultural policy
focussing on the many ways that land can be used.
This reflects the idea that landscapes are dynamic systems
and that land use is subject to change. A prerequisite
for intelligent choices in the decision-making process,
however, is a knowledge-based approach. We see a widespread
need for quantitative tools that can support policy
makers on several levels. Moreover, we believe that
research should focus more on changing land use and
the processes of landcover modification. This is especially true for a chnage
from agricultural cultivation to fallow land.
- Monitoring, modelling, and evaluating landscape
services
Dynamic (process-based) simulation models and conceptual
approaches operating on various levels are required
to analyse and evaluate the manifold functions of a
landscape. However, potential uncertainties inherent
to all model results need to be addressed openly. This comprises uncertainties
of parameters, input variables as well as structural
model uncertainty. It is essential, therefore, to discuss
the shortcomings of each model in order to improve our
modelling approaches.
- Biodiversity on the landscape scale
Biodiversity is affected strongly by land use patterns
and landscape heterogeneity. This is valid for the whole
spectrum, from the genome up to the global scale. Landscapes
“cultivated” by agriculture are the most widespread
and dominating form of multifunctional landscapes and
therefore require the attention of research across traditional
subject boundaries. What is strongly needed are refined
criteria and enhanced methods to define landscape values
within an integrated multidimensional model approach.
- Landscape ecosystem management
It is a social, ecological, and
economic challenge to develop instruments, that help
agriculture to consider major landscape functions. In
a perfect world, plant and animal production would follow
an integrated environmental approach considering such important topics
as the quality of water, soil, nature, and air while
managing emissions effectively. The opportunities
to meet these multiple challenges by innovative research and
policy are key issues for the next decades, in particular for
European countries.
Multifunctionality of landscapes is an essential
topic for many disciplines and technologies. This conference
hopes to encourage discussion about current developments
across academic borders. Invited are researchers, policy
makers, planners and other experts from the environmental
sciences (physical and human geography, physical planning,
GIS technologies, resources management, public administration,
and law). This conference will thus provide an ideal setting
for the exchange of recent findings.
Conference Venue: University Giessen, Germany
Conference Language: English
Keynote Speakers
| Prof. Dr. Nick Hanley |
(University of Glasgow, UK) |
| Prof. Dr. Ronen Kadmon |
(University of Jerusalem, Israel) |
| Prof. Dr. Eric F. Lambin |
(University Louvain, Belgium) |
| Prof. Dr. Arie J. Oskam |
(Wageningen University, NL) |
| Prof. Dr. Osvaldo Sala |
(University of Buenos Aires, Argentina) |
| Prof. Dr. Tom A. Veldkamp |
(Wageningen University, NL) |
Key dates
| Deadline abstract submission |
December
15, 2004 |
| Notification of acceptance |
February 1, 2005 |
| Deadline onsite registration |
May 1, 2005 |
Programme Committee
| Dr. Martin Bach |
(University Giessen) |
| Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Frede |
(University Giessen) |
| Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Köhler |
(University Giessen) |
| Prof. Dr. Friedrich Kuhlmann |
(University Giessen) |
| Prof. Dr. Dr. Annette Otte |
(University Giessen) |
| Prof. Dr. P. Michael Schmitz |
(University Giessen) |
| Prof. Dr. Volkmar Wolters |
(University Giessen) |
It is intended to publish selected papers in a
special issue of either
- Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment (Elsevier)
or
- Landscape Ecology (Kluwer)
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