Summary
This qualitative study of 15 dairy farmers in the French Massif Central examined how farmers' perceptions of multi-species permanent grasslands and their intention to adapt to climate change influence their resilience strategies. Farmers in cooler, northern upland areas valued permanent grasslands and incorporated them centrally into climate adaptation, whilst those in warmer, southern lowlands emphasised disvalues of permanent grasslands and relied on temporary grasslands and forage crops. The findings suggest that geographical context significantly mediates the relationship between farmer perception and adaptation strategy choice.
Regional applicability
UK grassland-based dairy systems face similar climate pressures (increasing temperature and drought frequency), and findings may be relevant to understanding regional variation in farmer adaptation responses. However, UK farm structures, policy frameworks, and environmental conditions differ from the French Massif Central, requiring contextual translation before application to UK extension and policy work.
Key measures
Semi-structured interviews (n=15) analysed using the Model of Proactive Private Adaptation to Climate Change, the Integrated Nature Futures Framework, and text analysis to identify adaptation strategies
Outcomes reported
The study identified farmers' adaptation strategies to climate change in grassland-based dairy systems and examined how perception of permanent grasslands and previous climate risk exposure influenced resilience choices. Relationships between grassland perception and adaptation strategy varied by geographical and climatic context within the Massif Central region.
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