LOCATION-SPECIFIC MODELING FOR OPTIMIZING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT ON CROP FARMS

In order to guide conservation and restoration of wildlife in agricultural areas research is needed into the trade-off between wildlife and agricultural production and income. This study presents a location specific model for optimizing wildlife management on crop farms using the integer programming technique. Available data and indicators of wildlife production are presented. Furthermore, time and location aspects of wildlife management are discussed. The model is applied to crop farming in the Netherlands. Most important model outcome is a wildlife-cost frontier at the farm level. Model outcomes show that rotating wildlife conservation practices across the farm is economically more attractive than fixed-location practices. Opportunities for use of the insights provided by model results by both policy makers and farmers are analyzed.