From Ecological Recognition to Willingness to Act: Farmers’ Perspectives on Landscape Elements in Northeastern Slovenia

The loss of landscape elements and the increasing simplification of agricultural landscapes may threaten biodiversity, ecological connectivity, and landscape multifunctionality, while their conservation and establishment largely depend on farmers’ willingness to retain existing elements and introduce new ones. This study examined farmers’ perceptions of landscape elements, their willingness to establish new elements, and associated socio-economic and spatial factors in northeastern Slovenia. Data from an online survey of 1197 farmers conducted in 2023 were analysed using descriptive statistics and multivariable multinomial logistic regression, complemented by spatial analysis using the national Landscape Features Register. More than 90% of farmers recognised benefits for biodiversity and ecosystem stability, while over 80% perceived production-related constraints. With adequate financial compensation, 37.1% were willing to establish new landscape elements, 35.1% were unwilling, and 27.8% were undecided. Willingness was associated with ANC location, attitudes, perceived benefits, and age, while farm size and farming system showed no significant associations. Greater recognition of biodiversity, ecosystem stability, and crop-quality benefits was positively associated with willingness to establish landscape elements, whereas negative attitudes were negatively associated with willingness. The “I do not know” response was more common among farmers operating in Natura 2000 areas, among those reporting existing landscape elements, and particularly among those uncertain about whether landscape elements were present on their farms. Farmers mainly preferred small-scale elements along field margins. Effective landscape management should therefore combine financial incentives, advisory support, and spatially targeted measures reflecting ecological objectives and farm-level constraints.