Assessing trade-offs in ecosystem services with a multifunctional classification system for grasslands in the Massif Central

The multifunctional classification of grasslands in the Massif Central aims to characterise the diversity of grasslands and structure our knowledge about their processes and potential. The tool described here provides information to help livestock farmers transition towards more sustainable, grass-based production. The classification system currently covers 60 different grassland types, and the classification key is based on simple criteria such as field characteristics and farming practices. Here, we discuss 6 common and representative grassland types utilised in PDO cheese production in the Massif Central: we compared agronomic productivity (forage quantity and quality), environmental properties (species richness and the occurrence of rare species), and ecosystem services (carbon storage levels and cheese quality). The impact of farming practices was also analysed; the results can help inform discussions with farmers, to help them better match their practices with the production potential of their grasslands.