Multifunctional landscapes

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MULTIFUNCTIONAL LANDSCAPES: WHAT THEY ARE AND WHY THEY MATTER

At the Alliance, we know that—with the right incentives and technologies—agriculture has much to offer to both rural communities and land managers.

In fact, landscapes that are based on diverse and sustainable agricultural practices as well as on the sustainable management of natural ecosystems, can increase communities’ resilience, generate inclusive livelihood opportunities, and contribute to healthier diets.

These are what we call ‘multifunctional landscapes’.

Stemming from our team’s cross-cutting scientific expertise—from soils and water management to landscape restoration and inclusive socio-ecological systems—our work on multifunctional landscapes contributes to both reducing the pressure of agriculture on natural ecosystems, and to introducing better management practices for natural ecosystems.

All while also minimizing health risks, ensuring sustainably produced foods become part of more nutritious diets.

What we are doing to improve the way landscapes are managed and used

Through our Strategy 2020-2025, we designed how we intend to unlock multifunctional landscapes, through sustainable agriculture and landscape management and restoration.

Our work ensures farms and landscapes sustainably deliver adequate and healthy foods, ecosystem services, sustainable livelihood options.

We do that through a suite of core interventions, including:

developing holistic multi-partner projects;
delivering scientific evidence and tools to boost innovation;
working with farmers, national and subnational authorities, impact investors, and developing agencies.

Making agriculture more sustainable and inclusive

Our ambition is to drive change and impact, towards more efficient and integrated farming systems and landscapes.

By working with partners within specific landscapes and contexts, we are developing interventions that trigger system-wide improvements with a positive multiplier effect.

Further, our work on multifunctional landscapes also ensures access to more equitable and inclusive landscape management opportunities to women, youth, indigenous peoples, local communities.

See our work on Multifunctional Landscapes in action

ENDING DEFORESTATION IN PERU

In partnership with the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) - International Climate Initiative (IKI), the Alliance is leading on Models to address drivers of deforestation in Peru - Sustainable Amazon Businesses (SAB), a project that introduces sustainable business models in the agro-industry and livestock sectors to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) caused by deforestation. Models are implemented in the region of Ucayali, Peru for two value chains: palm oil and cocoa.

LEVERAGING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR CONSERVATION

In partnership with USAID, the Alliance developed and is managing a unique partnership program to foster engagement with the private sector. Through the Catalyzing and Learning through Private Sector Engagement for Biodiversity Conservation (CAL-PSE) we are transforming the way we approach conservation in the Brazilian Amazon while improving the wellbeing of indigenous people and local communities. As part of the program, our unique technical expertise is used to develop monitoring solutions towards long-term impact. Further, we are identifying innovative models and practices of private sector partnerships, fostering scale-up replication of successful initiatives.