Quantifying the impact of agricultural practices on ecosystem services: a methodological framework integrating GIS and systematic literature review data

Evaluating the impact of agricultural practices on ecosystem services (ES) is essential for guiding sustainable land management decisions and supporting climate resilience. However, methodological challenges persist in standardizing assessments across diverse systems and geographic contexts. This study presents an integrated methodological framework that combines Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and a systematically developed dataset derived from a comprehensive literature review to assess the effects of conventional and agroecological practices on key ecosystem services. The focus includes critical ES such as soil carbon storage, water regulation, biodiversity conservation, and crop productivity.

The dataset, developed through a systematic literature review, compiles quantitative metrics from multiple studies, offering a robust foundation for comparative analysis of agricultural land management strategies. GIS analysis was employed to spatially map ecosystem service provision and land management patterns, enabling the identification of geographic variations in service delivery under different practices.

Furthermore, the inclusion of experimental data enhances the methodological rigor by directly linking field observations with larger-scale assessments. The approach also enables the evaluation of multiple ecosystem services simultaneously, making it well-suited for identifying synergies and trade-offs between productivity, soil health, and biodiversity across agricultural systems.

The significance of this methodological framework lies in its capacity to generate standardized, reproducible, and policy-relevant insights into the effects of agricultural practices on ecosystem services. By providing both quantitative metrics and spatially explicit assessments, it can support evidence-based policy development aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture. This is particularly relevant in the context of the European Green Deal and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), where data-driven strategies are essential for advancing climate-neutral agriculture and biodiversity conservation objectives.

 

Keywords: agroecology, ecosystem services, GIS analysis, systematic literature review, sustainable agriculture, land management, carbon storage, biodiversity.