References Climate mitigation and adaptation can be tackled at the landscape scale, combining agricultural and non-agricultural components, reduced deforestation, development of agro-forestry and integrated crop-livestock systems. The spatial distribution of land use could be critical to achieve both climate change issue and income generation and distribution. Should land be spared or shared to reach climate smart goals? To answer this research question, we analyze the impact of the Costa Rican program of recognition for environmental benefits (REB) on the layout of land use in farms located in the Chorotega Region (Northwestern Costa Rica) characterized by confronting environmental issues, such as recent forest recovery process, but land degradation and water scarcity. The Ministry of Agriculture has implemented the REB program from 2007. Extensive livestock is the main sub sector and area for REB use. We will discuss a development model of land sparing that would imply intensification of breeding to reduce the pressure on forest area. The "intensive grazing" (breeding with supply inputs) uses less space than the "extensive grazing" and could thus save space for forest regeneration. The technical model of intensive livestock may use a diet based on purchased inputs and improved pastures. A survey in 76 farms that participated to the REB program was carried out from February to May 2014. This survey enables to collect information related to the evolution of farms' activities and their location before and after their participation to REB. We process this information by using spatial methods (graphical modeling, Brunet, 1980 ; Cheylan et al. 1990), to identify patterns of land use distribution. Elementary spatial structures (" chorèmes " , Fig 1) are combined to form graphic models. The theorical model that we will discuss is presented with a model graphic in Fig 2. (Texte intégral)