Economies of Scope in the Agricultural Provision of Ecosystems Services: A Swiss Case Study

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the jointness between agricultural production and ecosystem services using a spatial explicit economic-ecological programming model. Thereby, the consideration of non-agricultural competitors in the provision of ecosystem services allows a simultaneous assessment of economies of scope. A cost-effectiveness analysis for a case study region in Switzerland shows the least costs supplier of ecosystem services and spatial patterns in the supply for these services. Results imply strong jointness between agricultural production and the provision of ecosystem services. However, the potential for cost savings is considerable.