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The role of farm size in public goods provision: An agent-based model of habitat conservation in agricultural landscapes.

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Title: The role of farm size in public goods provision: An agent-based model of habitat conservation in agricultural landscapes.
Authors: Cong, Rong-Gang1,2,3,4 (AUTHOR) leocong2023@hotmail.com, Cui, Jia-Rui1,2,3,4 (AUTHOR)
Source: Journal of Environmental Management. Jan2026, Vol. 397, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Farm size, Habitat conservation, Public goods, Resource management, Multiagent systems, Agricultural landscape management, Ecosystem services
Abstract: Agriculture's reliance on ecosystem services underscores the intrinsic link between crop production and habitat conservation. This study employs an agent-based model to explore how farm size influences the provision of public goods—specifically habitat conservation—within agricultural landscapes. We compare two management strategies: Farm-Scale Management (FSM), driven by individual profit maximization, and Landscape-Scale Management (LSM), which seeks to optimize collective outcomes. Pollination serves as a proxy for ecosystem services, while farm profit represents economic output. Our results show that large farms tend to invest more in habitat conservation, whereas small farms prioritize immediate yield. The spatial configuration of farms also plays a critical role: centrally located farms act as "big pigs" in public goods games—contributing more to conservation—while peripheral farms behave as "piglets," exhibiting self-interested behavior. These dynamics underscore the complexities of coordinating conservation efforts and highlight the need to consider farm size, spatial configuration, and the risk of free-riding when designing agri-environmental policies. Our model provides novel insights into the dynamic governance of habitat conservation as a public good within complex agricultural systems. • We employ agent-based model to explore farm size effects on habitat conservation outcomes. • Landscape-scale management of habitats yields higher profits and ecosystem services. • Larger farms invest more in conservation, yet smaller farms focus on yield. • Central farms contribute more to public goods while peripheral farms tend to free-ride. • This study informs agri-environmental policies considering farm size and location in conserving habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database: Engineering Source
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Abstract:Agriculture's reliance on ecosystem services underscores the intrinsic link between crop production and habitat conservation. This study employs an agent-based model to explore how farm size influences the provision of public goods—specifically habitat conservation—within agricultural landscapes. We compare two management strategies: Farm-Scale Management (FSM), driven by individual profit maximization, and Landscape-Scale Management (LSM), which seeks to optimize collective outcomes. Pollination serves as a proxy for ecosystem services, while farm profit represents economic output. Our results show that large farms tend to invest more in habitat conservation, whereas small farms prioritize immediate yield. The spatial configuration of farms also plays a critical role: centrally located farms act as "big pigs" in public goods games—contributing more to conservation—while peripheral farms behave as "piglets," exhibiting self-interested behavior. These dynamics underscore the complexities of coordinating conservation efforts and highlight the need to consider farm size, spatial configuration, and the risk of free-riding when designing agri-environmental policies. Our model provides novel insights into the dynamic governance of habitat conservation as a public good within complex agricultural systems. • We employ agent-based model to explore farm size effects on habitat conservation outcomes. • Landscape-scale management of habitats yields higher profits and ecosystem services. • Larger farms invest more in conservation, yet smaller farms focus on yield. • Central farms contribute more to public goods while peripheral farms tend to free-ride. • This study informs agri-environmental policies considering farm size and location in conserving habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:03014797
DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.128329