Encouraging collaboration for the provision of ecosystem services at a landscape scale—Rethinking agri-environmental payments

In this viewpoint we draw on insights from participatory agri-environmental policy making, spatial planning and collaborative approaches to environmental management. We propose steps for planning, design and implementation of agri-environmental payment schemes that will encourage collaboration and co-ordinated actions at a landscape scale to contribute more effectively to the continued provision of ecosystem services.

• We illustrate how future policies could be designed to encourage collaboration and co-ordinate actions at a landscape scale to enhance the provision of ecosystem services. • We combine insights from research on participatory agri-environmental policy making with research on collaborative approaches to environmental planning and management. • We reiterate a need for participatory and collaborative approaches that facilitate a process of communication, negotiation and feedback. • We propose steps for planning, design and implementation of agri-environmental payment schemes that will contribute to more effective provision of ecosystem services at a landscape scale. • Currently, application of our proposed process is in its infancy; existing real-world examples only cover selected steps.