Land-Sparing and Sharing: Identifying Areas of Consensus, Remaining Debate and Alternatives

The land-sparing sharing debate examines two scenarios for reconciling agricultural production and biodiversity conservation while maintaining the same level of production: high yielding agriculture with large habitat blocks (sparing), and low-yielding "wildlife-friendly" agriculture with small habitat fragments (sharing). While originally conceived as an ecological model, much ensuing debate focused on political, social and economic realities. We identify areas of consensus and continuing debate, and present alternatives that combine aspects of sharing and sparing. Specifically, we summarize evidence that large habitat blocks, surrounded by diversified farming systems, will best support biodiversity and sustainable food production.