Biodiversity in multifunctional landscapes

Summary unctional landscapes, in which traditional cultural practices sustain a range of economic, social and environmental services, are specific and peculiar to Europe. The degradation of ecosystems and the consequent reduction in ecosystem services has contributed to a significant decline in biodiversity and hampers efforts to protect, maintain and enhance habitats and species. The concept of ecosystem services has raised a number of new issues and has the potential to create a new ‘paradigm’ in relation to environmental and biodiversity policy. This paper provides an overview of recent policy and research developments in Europe.