The concept developed in the framework of this 3-year research project is characterized by multidisciplinarity. The two main dimensions are:
(a) the study of ecological and technological cause-effect relations (natural sciences); and
(b) the analysis of socio-economic determinants of actual or potential land use patterns and of the related environmental strains (social sciences).
The two corresponding and contrasting objective functions are: protection (environment) and production (agriculture). Both fields of impact are assessed simultaneously and at the level of a range of representative regions and farms. Alternative policy measures can be simulated and evaluated in terms of direction and intensity of impact.