Agroecological transition in Madrid’s extensive livestock systems: How expert-perceived NCPs guide transformation pathways

In the Mediterranean region, the industrialization of livestock systems, driven by the replacement of extensive pasture-based systems with intensive input-dependent models, has triggered environmental degradation and socio-cultural changes. The transition of livestock systems toward agroecological p...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Vizuete Sáenz de Ugarte, Beatriz Nerea, García Llorente, Marina, Jiménez-Aceituno, Amanda, Meacham, Megan, Martín Azcarate, Francisco, Hevia Martín, Violeta, Gutiérrez Briceño, Inés, Oteros-Rozas, Elisa
Format: article
Publication Date:2026
Country:España
Institution:Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Repository:Biblos-e Archivo. Repositorio Institucional de la UAM
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:dnet:biblosearchi::71d2a06ea52fe1988808c60518bbf5af
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10486/763980
https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13280-026-02361-7
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Agroecology
Animal production
Ecosystem services
Expert analysis/criteria
Pastoral system
Sustainable transformation
Biología y Biomedicina / Biología
Description
Summary:In the Mediterranean region, the industrialization of livestock systems, driven by the replacement of extensive pasture-based systems with intensive input-dependent models, has triggered environmental degradation and socio-cultural changes. The transition of livestock systems toward agroecological practices can reduce external dependencies, enhance ecosystem contributions and strengthen socioecological resilience. This study analyzes experts’ perceptions of Nature’s Contributions to People (NCPs) provided by two extensive livestock models (conventional and agroecological) and nine agroecological practices in Madrid. Experts on extensive livestock farming with different profiles (N = 65) were surveyed to assess 14 NCPs. Cluster analysis identified four bundles of practices based on their functional similarities. Results showed that the agroecological model provides more NCPs within all domains, particularly regulating and non-material NCPs. We conclude that certain agroecological practices, such as active grazing management and production diversification, are pivotal in fostering systemic change by linking farmscale interventions with broader agri-food transformations