Integrating the biocultural values of field margins into the conservation of traditional farming systems

Context Traditional agricultural landscapes are declining globally due to intensification and land consolidation, requiring new perspectives for their effective conservation. Field margins (FM) are essential non-productive elements within these landscapes; although widely eradicated, they hold spiritual significance that can be leveraged to support conservation of the landscapes they shape. Objectives/methods Drawing on Poland’s ecological, folkloric, and religious heritage, this review paper highlights the historical perception of FM as inviolable spaces with cultural and spiritual dimensions. It further proposes applying the framework of Sacred Natural Sites (SNS) to support the conservation of Poland’s unique strip-field landscape (PSF), closely associated with FM networks and recognized as part of Europe’s cultural heritage. Results/conclusions Using an interdisciplinary approach, I show that the biocultural values of FM historically supported their persistence and continue to linger today. These values may provide non-economic motivations for conservation, complementing existing policy instruments. The paper outlines the rationale for recognizing PSF as SNS and proposes general directions for implementation. This approach aligns with evolving international frameworks and demonstrates the potential of SNS to integrate ecological, cultural, and social dimensions of land stewardship. By reframing PSF as biocultural systems, SNS-based strategies offer an innovative pathway to safeguard biodiversity and landscape heterogeneity in transforming agricultural environments.