Reframing mountain agri-food systems and ecosystem services through a landscape approach

Abstract

Mountain agri-food systems are embedded in landscapes where farms, forests, rangelands, water resources, biodiversity, and communities function as interconnected social-ecological systems. Agricultural productivity and food security therefore depend not only on farm management but also on ecosystem services generated across the wider landscape. These include water regulation, soil
fertility and nutrient cycling, pollination, erosion control, climate regulation, biomass production, and maintenance of agrobiodiversity. However, land-use transitions, biodiversity loss, water stress, socio-economic change, and climate change impacts are altering these ecological linkages. This article examines how a landscape approach can strengthen mountain agri-food system resilience, moving
from global lessons to the Indian Himalayan Region. It argues for shifting from predominantly farm-centric interventions towards management that recognises ecological flows, landscape multifunctionality, and community stewardship. Diversified farming, agroforestry, watershed and spring-shed restoration, agrobiodiversity conservation, crop-livestock integration, habitat connectivity, and incentives for ecosystem stewardship provide practical pathways for aligning food and livelihood security with biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.