Promoting a debate on the coevolution of agriculture and landscape biodiversity. Decrypting saltus and ager in the Regional Natural Park of Lorraine

Preserving biodiversity is a universal concept, and global policies have been implemented to this end (such as Natura 2000), nevertheless managing biodiversity takes on a greater relevance when applied on a smaller consistent territorial scale. Determining coherent 'territories' in order to translate global challenges as territorial projects is a necessity. In line with this strategy and based on the results of a research project carried out as part of the DIVA programme, this study decrypts landscape dynamics in Lorraine, based on the saltus-ager concept (saltus being non-silva (forests or woods) uncultivated pasture land, and ager, cultivated agricultural land). A retrospective analysis of the balance between saltus and ager shows there is a correlation between agricultural activity and evolution of biodiversity, helping to form a prospective vision. This analysis of the joint evolution of agriculture and biodiversity on the territory of the Regional Natural Park of Lorraine has fuelled a debate among the different stakeholders concerned with this issue, and allowed for a reflection on the place of biodiversity as part of a territorial project.