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This research assessed how ecosystem services (ES) are taken into account in the decision-making process of stakeholders involved in the management of agroecosystems, in particular agroforestry systems, and how an Role-Playing Game (RPG) can serve as a tool to allow them to discuss the issues concerned. The study was conducted in two municipalities (Paragominas and Irituia) located in the Brazilian Amazon. The game was developed in 2018 using a co-construction process that mainly included farmers, students and researchers. Data was collected during two sessions of the game held in 2019, with participation by heterogeneous participants from different local institutions. Our results demonstrated that game sessions showed how the provision of ES, as well as other factors (e.g. values, availability of factors), is taken into account in planning the spatio-temporal configuration of the agroecosystem and associated agricultural practices. They also revealed some trade-offs involved in this decision-making process. We conclude that the RPG allowed stakeholders to synthesize and discuss different types of knowledge about this process. Bringing these elements to the discussion can contribute to an improved shared understanding of the challenges and possibilities of the ecological management of agroecosystems and can indicate solutions that are in line with local expectations.

International audience; AbstractThe Companion Modeling approach aims to stimulate learning and sharing of perceptions among several actors through the co-construction and use of a model, while the Integrated Assessment of Agricultural Systems aims to assess a large set of performances of current and alternative systems. Our research question was: to what extent does the joint use of these two methods foster sustainability thinking? We show how the co-design of evolving agriculture scenarios and the use of Integrated Assessment of Agricultural Systems methods guided the implementation of a Companion Modeling process applied to the Valensole Plateau, southeastern France. An initial phase, based on a preliminary diagnosis, aimed to collectively formulate the issues to be addressed, and to engage the actors in a collective dynamic. The second phase consisted of leading actors in the co-construction of a simulation model to represent the agricultural system to be evaluated using economic, social, and environmental indicators at different scales. In the final phase, the current situation and the co-designed scenario were collectively analyzed. The scenario was conceived as a “worst case”, embedded with drivers such as input costs and climate change. Opposing adaptation strategies were envisioned by farmers and other actors. Results show how debates between participants adaptively shaped the model. Scenario simulations highlighted better environmental performance at the expense of economic performance. The differences between farms led to discussions on technical management. Overall, the process stimulated collective reflection among the actors and created a learning experience with the sharing of perceptions and knowledge about the agricultural system. The model was considered relevant by the participants, who expressed interest in continuing its exploration. Our approach, which used a unique combination of Integrated Assessment of Agricultural Systems and scenario development with Companion Modeling, could be adapted to other areas and issues, although tool transfer remains an open question.