The landscape composition of organic and conventional, dairy and crop farms in two different geological regions in Denmark

Abstract

Abstract Landscape structure in rural areas reflects natural preconditions, types of farms present and their structure. However, these factors are often correlated, which blurs their separate effects. In this study, landscape composition was compared between organic and conventional farms, and between crop and dairy farms, situated in two geological regions (ground moraine and outwash plain) in Denmark. The 40 farms included in the study were stratified in eight groups with all combinations of region and farm types. The land units on the farms were typified, the coverage of each type assessed, and farm activities to establish new non-production land units during the last 10 years were registered. Average field size increased with farm size and was larger on crop farms than on dairy farms. Crop and dairy farms differed in coverage of fallow land and building area — land unit types closely linked to the agricultural production, and crop farmers were more active in establishing small plantings than dairy farmers. Conventional and organic farms did not differ in landscape characteristics, in contrast to conclusions of previous studies in Europe.