Ekonomiska och strukturella drivkrafter bakom restaurering av natur - En studie om svenska gräsmarker

Abstract

Grasslands are highlighted in the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, and the restoration of semi-natural grasslands, such as meadows and pastures, is considered policy-relevant for preserving biodiversity in the Swedish agricultural landscape. This study therefore examined various factors influencing the likelihood of Swedish farmers applying for restoration support for semi-natural grasslands using a probit model. In total, 16 attributes related to socioeconomic, geographic, and ecological factors were analyzed. The study covered 1,096 farmers, companies, and foundations located in the counties of Västra Götaland, Jönköping, and Östergötland. The restoration group consisted of 566 farmers who applied for restoration support during the period 2015–2024, while the non-restoration group included 530 farmers who had not applied. The non-restoration group was randomly selected from active farmers owning land classified as restorable. To provide a comprehensive picture of the probabilities, five probit models were constructed. The results yielded several significant findings; for example, younger farmers and female farmers were more likely to engage in restoration. The results for Swedish farmers were consistent with previous research on farmer characteristics in other countries. To ensure the continued preservation of semi-natural grasslands, information was identified as a key component, and the findings of this study contribute knowledge on how such information can be more effectively targeted.