Paddies' Puzzle: Multi Criteria Decision Aiding (MCDA) Approach for Enhancing Natural and Agrobiodiversity in Italian Rice Farming Districts in Northern Italy

Rice cultivation systems in north‐western Italy in recent decades have experienced a process of natural biodiversity decline, agro‐biodiversity compression and simplification of cultivation practices, reducing the role of paddies as wetland replacement areas. However, this trend can be reversed if farming choices are matched with paddy‐associated biodiversity needs. This study aims to analyse the relationship between varietal and agronomic choices of rice growers and their impact on natural biodiversity, through three key wetland‐associated taxa, namely butterflies, dragonflies, and amphibians. Starting from historical monitoring data (2014‐2022) from the Lombardy‐Piedmont rice farming district to obtain a comprehensive list of species, we assessed, through expert evaluations, how different cropping and varietal systems shape natural biodiversity. The varietal analysis focuses on the most cultivated varieties and follows the full life cycle of agronomical rice farming practices. Both agronomical and varietal options have been evaluated for their role in promoting natural biodiversity, through the Multi‐Criteria Decision Aiding (MCDA) Approach and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS). Specifically, it emerges that, both in conventional and organic cultivation conditions, many agronomic choices can have a neutral impact. A limited number of practices or varietal characteristics have a significant positive or negative impact on natural biodiversity in paddies, constituting real bottlenecks or environmental catalysts in agrosystems. The methodology we proposed is flexible, being adaptable to different species and farming systems, and convertible into an app, for direct application by users in farmers and researchers. The final objective is to assess the wide‐ranging impact of farmers' choices on wetland‐associated biodiversity and promote sustainable farming options with less environmental impact, allowing better reconciliation between anthropic and natural priorities in paddies.