A socioecological integrated analysis of the Barcelona metropolitan agricultural landscapes

Abstract

To implement the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact while enhancing ecosystem services, the Barcelona Metropolitan Authority has commissioned a socioecological assessment of the metropolitan agriculture. A Socioecological Integrated Analysis has been carried out to incorporate ecosystem services as fundamental elements of the new Master Land Use Plan. This analysis involves assessing the functioning of metropolitan agricultural landscapes focusing on different dimensions: socio-metabolic efficiency (energy return on investment), biodiversity conservation, landscape functionality, global change, ecosystem services (supporting, regulation, provisioning) and social cohesion. After accounting indicators separately, they have been grouped through a principal component analysis into three factors: socio-metabolic flows, landscape functionality and system efficiency. An exploratory factor analysis has revealed trade-offs and synergies between these factors, with relevant implications for land-use policy. Finally, a correlation analysis has evaluated how the indicators interrelate among them. The results show that the improvement of complex socioecological systems requires new multi-criterial management where the different interrelated dimensions are jointly addressed. A new sustainability-oriented land-use planning combined with agricultural and environmental policies aimed at integrating farming with forestry and livestock activities would help reduce the dependence on non-renewable external energy inputs and, indirectly, the greenhouse gas emissions stemming from agri-food chains.