Agriculture - Agri-environment schemes

Title

Reference

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Volume 148, 15 February 2012, Pages 83–88
EU funded

Author(s)

Aggeliki Doxa, Maria Luisa Paracchini, Philippe Pointereau, Vincent Devictor,
Frédéric Jiguet

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

High Nature Value (HNV) farmlands are expected to support high levels of biological diversity and may have a relevant role in driving biodiversity dynamics and particularly refraining biotic homogenization. The present study tests this hypothesis by examining whether spatial and temporal variations in contemporary composition and dynamics of bird communities are related to past changes in HNV farmland within a 30-year period. Analyses of three farmland types were made in areas of (1) highly intensified agriculture, (2) relatively recent agriculture intensification and (3) low-intensity agriculture identified as HNV farmlands. French farmland in its whole is currently subjected to biotic homogenization processes. However, no homogenization was observed in HNV farmland, potentially indicating that those areas were not affected – or at least not at the same pace as elsewhere – by biotic homogenization. Farmland species population trends remain high in recent non-HNV farmlands, indicating that some non-HNV areas may still contribute in refraining farmland biodiversity decline. Future conservation focus should be given in priority in HNV farmland, but also in areas of recent agriculture intensification, to buffer further negative effects on population and community dynamics.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes

Keywords

Agricultural intensification; Community Specialization Index; Farmland Bird Indicator; Farmland specialist species; Low-intensity agriculture; Past land use

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doxa@mnhn.fr

Title

Agriculture—a key element for conservation in the developing world

Reference

Conservation Letters
DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00208.x

Author(s)

Hugh L. Wright, Iain R. Lake, Paul M. Dolman

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

Conserving biodiversity through supporting or mimicking traditional management of anthropogenic habitats is a paradigm in the developed world, particularly Europe. It is rarely applied in developing countries where forest biota are more common foci. We quantified the numbers of globally threatened bird species using anthropogenic habitats and examined scientific literature to identify those that are dependent on low-impact agriculture in the developing world. Such dependency is distinct from species using farmland to supplement or move between their remnant natural habitats. We show that low-impact agriculture is important to a number of threatened open-habitat species in a variety of farming systems. However, these systems are expected to undergo widespread transformation due to economic change. Conservation must identify valuable farmed landscapes and seek new mechanisms to maintain or mimic important land-management techniques in developing countries. A suite of policy instruments should be considered to provide incentives or development benefits that encourage farmers to manage landscapes for wildlife. The land sparing approach to balancing biodiversity conservation and agricultural production will be detrimental to those open-habitat bird species dependent on agriculture; a mix of agricultural land-use types may offer the best compromise.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management
Sustainable development and policy assessment >> Sustainable economic development >> Sustainable development in developing countries

Keywords

High nature value farming; land sparing; low-impact agriculture; rural livelihoods;
seminatural habitat; traditional land management; wildlife-friendly farming

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1755-263X.2011.00208.x/abstract
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hugh.wright@uea.ac.uk

Title

Assessing long-term sustainable environmental impacts of agri-environment schemes on land use

Reference

European Journal of Forest Research
Doi: 10.1007/s10342-010-0469-x
EU funded

Author(s)

Jens Peter Vesterager, Kasper Teilmann and Henrik Vejre

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

The lack of generic methods to assess the environmental consequences of agricultural practices and the lack of consensus on monitoring and evaluation of environmental, agricultural and socio-economic effects of agri-environment schemes (AES) in EU Member States call for better evaluation methods. The 'Agri-environmental Footprint' project proposed to deal with these problems by establishing a new evaluation method, the Agri-Environmental Footprint Index (AFI). The AFI is an index customised to local stakeholder preferences, using expert knowledge for assessment of impacts and sensitivity, and indicators of the environmental state at farm level. In a Danish test case, agricultural practices at twenty-five farms in two groundwater protection zones were assessed. Data was collected from databases, registers, maps and interviews with farmers. The index was calculated for 1996/7 and 2006/7 to track temporal development and effects of entering an agri-environmental scheme. The Danish case demonstrated that the index can be used to track changes in environmental impacts and that entering agri-environmental scheme had a positive impact on the index value. However, the index should be used with caution. It is important to consider the robustness of each indicator: to assess whether changes will occur over time; whether changes are linked to management practices or external factors; and whether data are available up to date. Indicators dependent upon uptake data from agri-environmental schemes should be used with great caution. Retrospective use of stakeholder preferences is subject to uncertainty because preferences may have changed over time.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Land use change
Land use >> Land use change     

Keywords

Multi-criteria decision analysis; Sustainable impact assessment; Temporal comparison; Back casting; Stakeholder; Agri-environment schemes

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jpv@life.ku.dk

Title

Reference

Environmental Modeling and Assessment

Author(s)

Eva Ivits, Graeme Buchanan, Linda Olsvig-Whittaker and Michael Cherlet
Environmental Modeling and Assessment

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Birds are important components of biodiversity conservation since they are capable of indicating changes in the general status of wildlife and of the countryside. The Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme (PECBM) has been launched by the BirdLife Partnership in Europe, where the European Bird Census Council has been collecting data from 20 independent breeding bird survey programs across Europe over the last 25 years. These data show dramatic declines in European farmland birds. We suggest that seasonal characteristics of vegetation cover derived from high temporal resolution remote sensing images could facilitate the monitoring the suitability of farmland bird habitats, and that these indicators may be a better choice for monitoring than climate data. We used redundancy analysis to link the PECBM data of the estimated number of farmland birds in Europe to a set of phenological and climatic indicators and to the biogeographic regions of Europe. Variance partitioning was used to account for the variation explained by the phenological and climate variables and by the area of the environmental strata individually, to define the pure effect of the variables, and to extract the total explained variance. The analysis revealed high statistical significance (p < 0.001) of the correlations between species and environment. Phenological indices explained 38% of the variance in community composition of the 23 farmland bird species, whereas climate explained 30% of the variance. After partitioning the other variables as covariables, the pure effect of phenology, climate, and environmental strata were 16%, 8%, and 16%, respectively. Based on the probability results, we suggest that phenological indicators derived from remote sensing may supply better indicators for continental scale biodiversity studies than climate only. In addition, these indicators are cost and time effective, are on continuous scale, and are readily repeatable on a large spatial coverage while supplying standardized results.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

Phenology; Climate; Remote sensing; Farmland birds; Redundancy analysis

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eva.ivits-wasser@jrc.ec.europa.eu

Title

Adoption of payments for ecosystem services: An application of the Hägerstrand model

Reference

Applied Geography
Volume 31, Issue 2, April 2011, Pages 668-676

Author(s)

Dan van der Horst

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Many governments are now offering incentive payments to private land owners to adapt their management of the land in such a way as to safeguard or enhance ecosystem service provision. These are offered to individual land owners, whose decisions may be influenced by economic rationality, but also other factors. Understanding factors such as social capital and neighbourhood networks is particularly relevant as these can help to create local patterns of high and coordinated uptake. This is important because the delivery of many ecosystem services depends on spatial patterns of interventions at the landscape scale, i.e. at spatial scales of multiple farms. To date little empirical work has been carried out to estimate the extent and relative importance of local land owner networks on entry into ecosystem services payment schemes. This study demonstrates a method to detect possible relationships between farm locations and the time of adoption. Based on Thorsten Hagerstrand’s model of innovation diffusion as a spatio-temporal process, a simulation approach is used to detect spatio-temporal clustering in the uptake of a case study ESP scheme, the Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) scheme in Scotland. The analysis reveals clear spatio-temporal uptake patterns at different spatial scales and in different types of rural spaces. It is argued that these findings have relevance for local adaptation of policies, both to liaise more effectively with sections of the farming community, and to achieve better uptake patterns at the landscape scale.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Ecosystem services
Environmental economics >> Ecosystem services            

Keywords

Innovation-diffusion; Farmer decision making; Neighbourhood networks; Payments for ecosystem services (PES); Agri-environmental schemes (AES); Environmentally sensitive areas (ESA)

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d.vanderhorst@bham.ac.uk

Title

Encouraging collaboration for the provision of ecosystem services at a landscape scale—Rethinking agri-environmental payments

Reference

 Land Use Policy
Volume 29, Issue 1, January 2012, Pages 244-249

Author(s)

Katrin Prager , Mark Reed, Alister Scott

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In this viewpoint we draw on insights from participatory agri-environmental policy making, spatial planning and collaborative approaches to environmental management. We propose steps for planning, design and implementation of agri-environmental payment schemes that will encourage collaboration and co-ordinated actions at a landscape scale to contribute more effectively to the continued provision of ecosystem services.
We illustrate how future policies could be designed to encourage collaboration and co-ordinate actions at a landscape scale to enhance the provision of ecosystem services. We combine insights from research on participatory agri-environmental policy making with research on collaborative approaches to environmental planning and management. We reiterate a need for participatory and collaborative approaches that facilitate a process of communication, negotiation and feedback. We propose steps for planning, design and implementation of agri-environmental payment schemes that will contribute to more effective provision of ecosystem services at a landscape scale. Currently, application of our proposed process is in its infancy; existing real-world examples only cover selected steps.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Ecosystem services
Environmental economics >> Ecosystem services   

Keywords

Collaboration, agri-environmental payments, landscape, multiple scales, ecosystems services, ecosystem approach, participatory approaches, policy making, policy implementation

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Katrin.prager@hutton.ac.uk

Title

Food security and biodiversity: can we have both? An agroecological analysis

Reference

Agriculture and Human Values
Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2009
10.1007/s10460-009-9251-4

Author(s)

Michael Jahi Chappell and Liliana A. LaValle

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We present an extensive literature review exploring the relationships between food insecurity and rapid biodiversity loss, and the competing methods proposed to address each of these serious problems. Given a large and growing human population, the persistence of widespread malnutrition, and the direct and significant threats the expanding agricultural system poses to biodiversity, the goals of providing universal food security and protecting biodiversity seem incompatible. Examining the literature shows that the current agricultural system already provides sufficient food on a worldwide basis, but in doing so methodically undermines the capacity of agroecosystems to preserve biodiversity. However, the available evidence emphasizes the interdependence of biodiversity and agriculture, and the important role each plays in the maintenance of the other. Thus, our review supports the claim that the solutions to the problems of widespread food insecurity and biodiversity loss need not be mutually exclusive, and that it may be possible to address both using appropriate alternative agricultural practices.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Food security
Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Human impacts

Keywords

Agroecology, Alternative agriculture, Biodiversity,  Conservation , Food security,
Organic agriculture, Political ecology

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mjc365@cornell.edu

Title

Modeling farmer participation in agri-environmental nitrate pollution reducing schemes

Reference

Ecological Economics
Volume 70, Issue 11, 15 September 2011, Pages 2175-2180.

Author(s)

Eirini Giovanopoulou, Stefanos A. Nastis  and Evagelos Papanagiotou

Study type

Peer Review Journal 

Abstract

Why do farmers choose to participate in agri-environmental programmes and how do they choose the amount of land they allocate to such programmes? This paper examines the determinant factors influencing farmers' adoption of the EU-financed agri-environmental Nitrate Reduction Programme (NRP) in Greece and the extent of the programme's adoption, in terms of land allocation. The decision to adopt the NRP is modeled as a two-step procedure. First, farmers decide whether to participate in the agri-environmental programme and second, the extent of participation is determined. We employ Heckman's self-selection bias correction model to derive unbiased estimates. Based on farm level data, we develop the profile of farmers who choose to adopt the agri-environmental programme and the characteristics of their farms. The results of the analysis provide valuable policy insights decomposed into the main factors determining first, the adoption of the agri-environmental programme and second, the extent of adoption. By decomposing the determining factors, policy makers can employ this information to design effective agri-environmental programmes, desirable to farmers and more targeted towards specific environmental and agricultural development goals.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Stakeholder/public engagement

Keywords

Nitrate Reduction Programme; Adoption; Agri-environmental programmes; Self-selection bias

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irgiova@agro.auth.gr

Title

Seeded ryegrass swards allow granivorous birds to winter in agriculturally improved grassland landscapes

Reference

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Volume 142, Issues 3-4, August 2011, Pages 256-265

Author(s)

D.L. Buckingham, S. Bentley, S. Dodd and W.J. Peach

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We experimentally managed silage fields to provide abundant seed as a conservation measure for wintering birds. Buntings Emberiza strongly selected seeded ryegrass plots, where they fed predominantly on ryegrass Lolium seed and maintained body weights similar to those on high-quality arable wintering habitats. Bunting usage of seeded plots was positively related to Lolium seedhead density, peaking at October seedhead densities above 400 seedheads m^-2. Perennial ryegrass Lolium perenne swards could only provide one early silage crop (cut by mid-late May) if sufficient seed was to be produced, while Italian ryegrass Lolium multiflorum was able to provide two silage cuts and a large seed crop. Mats of lodged seedheads ensured the continuity of seed provision, resulting in high bird usage during late winter, when most seed has been depleted from existing wild bird seed measures. The estimated cost of the measure was comparable to small-plot measures in current English agri-environment schemes. A rotational seeded ryegrass measure should constitute an effective, affordable and widely applicable conservation measure for seed-eating farmland birds in grassland-dominated farmland across NW Europe.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

Farmland birds; Granivorous birds; Winter seed food; Agri-environment measures; Grassland management

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david.buckingham@rspb.org.uk

Title

Agricultural intensification and biodiversity partitioning in European landscapes comparing plants, carabids, and birds

Reference

Ecological Applications 21:1772-1781

Author(s)

Andreas Flohre, Christina Fischer, Tsipe Aavik, Jan Bengtsson, Frank Berendse, Riccardo Bommarco, Piotr Ceryngier, Lars W. Clement, Christopher Dennis, Sönke Eggers, Mark Emmerson, Flavia Geiger, Irene Guerrero, Violetta Hawro, Pablo Inchausti, Jaan Liira, Manuel B. Morales, Juan J. Oñate, Tomas Pärt, Wolfgang W. Weisser, Camilla Winqvist, Carsten Thies, and Teja Tscharntke

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Effects of agricultural intensification (AI) on biodiversity are often assessed on the plot scale, although processes determining diversity also operate on larger spatial scales. Here, we analyzed the diversity of vascular plants, carabid beetles, and birds in agricultural landscapes in cereal crop fields at the field (n = 1350), farm (n = 270), and European-region (n = 9) scale. We partitioned diversity into its additive components α, β, and ϒ, and assessed the relative contribution of β diversity to total species richness at each spatial scale. AI was determined using pesticide and fertilizer inputs, as well as tillage operations and categorized into low, medium, and high levels. As AI was not significantly related to landscape complexity, we could disentangle potential AI effects on local vs. landscape community homogenization. AI negatively affected the species richness of plants and birds, but not carabid beetles, at all spatial scales. Hence, local AI was closely correlated to β diversity on larger scales up to the farm and region level, and thereby was an indicator of farm- and region-wide biodiversity losses. At the scale of farms (12.83-20.52%) and regions (68.34-80.18%), β diversity accounted for the major part of the total species richness for all three taxa, indicating great dissimilarity in environmental conditions on larger spatial scales. For plants, relative importance of α diversity decreased with AI, while relative importance of β diversity on the farm scale increased with AI for carabids and birds. Hence, and in contrast to our expectations, AI does not necessarily homogenize local communities, presumably due to the heterogeneity of farming practices. In conclusion, a more detailed understanding of AI effects on diversity patterns of various taxa and at multiple spatial scales would contribute to more efficient agri-environmental schemes in agroecosystems.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

agricultural intensification, alpha diversity, beta diversity, biodiversity patterns, cereal crop fields, community homogenization, landscape ecology, Western Europe

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http://www.esajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1890/10-0645.1
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Title

A review on cost-effectiveness analysis of agri-environmental measures related to the EU WFD: Key issues, methods, and applications

Reference

Ecological Economics, Volume 70, Issue 6, 15 April 2011, Pages 1021-1031

Author(s)

Bedru Babulo Balana, Andy Vinten and Bill Slee

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) explicitly integrates economics into water management and water policy in Europe. Specifically, Article 11 and Annex III of the Directive call for a cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) of alternative mitigation measures as a requirement in formulating Programme of Measures (PoMs) to achieve 'good ecological status' for all waters in Europe. As agriculture is supposed to be the major contributor to diffuse water pollution, CEA of agri-environmental measures has been given paramount importance in establishing the PoMs. This paper summarises the status, significance, and methodological limitations of WFD-related CEA studies in Europe. Cases from the United Kingdom, countries surrounding the Baltic Sea and central and southern Europe were included in the review. Review results indicate that most WFD-related CEA studies: (1) were based on models of 'representative' farms without capturing the variability among real-world farms; (2) concentrate on a single ecological effect of measures or are based on cost estimates of the sectors directly involved in the pollutant-reduction programme (i.e., co-benefits, trade-offs, and external costs were not examined); and (3) did not incorporate uncertainties in both cost and effectiveness estimates. Based on the review results, the paper suggests policy implications and recommendations for future research in the field.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Water >> Water quality >> Water pollution and safety
Water >> River basin management (WFD)

Keywords

Water Framework Directive, Cost-effectiveness, Economic analysis, Water quality, Agri-environmental measures, Diffuse pollution

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b.balana@macaulay.ac.uk

Title

Methods of enhancing botanical diversity within field margins of intensively managed grassland: a 7-year field experiment

Reference

Journal of Applied Ecology
Volume 48, Issue 3, pages 551-560, June 2011

Author(s)

Rochelle A. Fritch, Helen Sheridan, John A. Finn, Laura Kirwan and Daire O Huallachain

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Increased intensification in agricultural grasslands has led to well-documented declines in the associated flora. Manipulation of field margins for biodiversity enhancement in arable systems has been extensively investigated. However, there is a paucity of corresponding long-term research within intensively managed grasslands. We investigated a combination of establishment and management methods to enhance botanical diversity of newly established field margins in intensively managed grasslands.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

Grazing, hay cutting, margin width, natural regeneration, pasture, plant diversity, wildflower seed mixture

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01951.x/abstract
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rochelle.fritch@gmail.com

Title

Expansion of mass-flowering crops leads to transient pollinator dilution and reduced wild plant pollination

Reference

Royal Society Publishing

Author(s)

Andrea Holzschuh, Carsten F. Dormann, Teja Tscharntke and Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Agricultural land use results in direct biodiversity decline through loss of natural habitat, but may also cause indirect cross-habitat effects on conservation areas. We conducted three landscape-scale field studies on 67 sites to test the hypothesis that mass flowering of oilseed rape (Brassica napus) results in a transient dilution of bees in crop fields, and in increased competition between crop plants and grassland plants for pollinators. Abundances of bumble-bees, which are the main pollinators of the grassland plant Primula veris, but also pollinate oilseed rape (OSR), decreased with increasing amount of OSR. This landscape-scale dilution affected bumble-bee abundances strongly in OSR fields and marginally in grasslands, where bumble-bee abundances were generally low at the time of Primula flowering. Seed set of Primula veris, which flowers during OSR bloom, was reduced by 20 per cent when the amount of OSR within 1 km radius increased from 0 to 15 per cent. Hence, the current expansion of bee-attractive biofuel crops results in transient dilution of crop pollinators, which means an increased competition for pollinators between crops and wild plants. In conclusion, mass-flowering crops potentially threaten fitness of concurrently flowering wild plants in conservation areas, despite the fact that, in the long run, mass-flowering crops can enhance abundances of generalist pollinators and their pollination service.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Human impacts

Keywords

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andrea.holzschuh@uni-wuerzburg.de

Title

Use of topographic variability for assessing plant diversity in agricultural landscapes

Reference

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

Author(s)

Gabriela Hofer, Robert G.H. Bunce, Peter J. Edwards, Erich Szerencsits, Helene H. Wagner and Felix Herzog

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The relationship between plant diversity and topographic variability in agricultural landscapes was investigated, with the aim of determining whether sampling landscape units of 1 km2 (LUs) across a gradient of topographic variability is more efficient than a random design for assessing the range of biodiversity in climatically and biogeographically homogenous areas called sub-regions. Representative plant species data from the Swiss biodiversity monitoring programme were analyzed covering a broad environmental gradient of four altitudinal belts and seven biogeographic regions. The focus of the study laid on agricultural areas but the whole dataset was as well analyzed to put the agricultural LUs in a general context.
Plant species lists of LUs were used to calculate two diversity components: ECOrichness, the number of ecological plant types per LU (as a measure of beta diversity) and AGROrichness, the number of species of conservation importance for agriculture. Mixed regression models were used to analyse the effects of topographic variability on the two plant diversity components, including sub-regions (areas with the same combination of altitudinal belt and biogeographic region) as random factor. These analyses were performed for the whole dataset (419 LUs within 22 sub-regions) and for the focal subset of 187 agricultural LUs within 13 sub-regions.
ECOrichness increased significantly with topographic variability for both the general and the agricultural dataset. The partial correlations within the sub-regions revealed consistent trends for the agricultural LUs but some inconsistencies for the whole dataset. For the monitoring of agricultural LUs the sampling along a gradient of topographic variability is therefore suggested as an efficient means for assessing the range of plant species diversity within sub-regions. Compared to other measures of landscape heterogeneity like habitat heterogeneity, sampling LUs along topographic variability is cheap and easily applied and it was demonstrated to work over large environmental gradients.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

Abiotic gradients; Landscape heterogeneity; Niche diversity

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gabriela.hofer@art.admin.ch

Title

Set-aside promotes insect and plant diversity in a Central European country

Reference

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Volume 141, Issues 3-4, May 2011, Pages 296-301

Author(s)

Anikó Kovács-Hostyánszki, Ádám Körösi, Kirill Márk Orci, Péter Batáry and András Báldi

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

The area of non-cropped habitats has been decreasing in Europe largely due to land conversion into cropland and energy crops. In Hungary, special agri-environment schemes in Environmentally Sensitive Areas require the establishment of sown set-aside fields especially for endangered bird species. We tested if these set-aside fields are beneficial for plants and insects of agricultural landscapes. We compared the herbaceous flora, grasshopper (Orthoptera), bee (Apidae) and butterfly (Rhopalocera) fauna of five field types (1, 2 and 3 year-old set-aside, winter cereal fields and semi-natural grasslands). Species richness, abundance and species composition of insects were tested against field type and plant species richness. The wheat fields were the poorest habitats for all taxa. The species richness and abundance of the studied insects were usually higher in set-aside than in cereal fields with no significant difference between set-aside of different age. We found the highest number of orthopteran species and butterfly individuals in semi-natural grasslands. At community level, field type and plant species richness had a significant effect on orthopteran assemblages. Butterfly assemblages were significantly affected by field type. Bee assemblages were not significantly related to the above variables. We can conclude that set-aside fields provide important habitat patches for plants and insects, in some cases with similar value to semi-natural grasslands. Our results emphasise the importance of set-aside within the Hungarian agri-environment scheme. Establishment of set-aside management in other Central European countries will likely to be of a similar value as the Hungarian set-aside fields.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

Agri-environment schemes, Bee, Butterfly, Grassland, Hungary, Orthopteran, Plant species richness, Wheat field

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kovacsanko@yahoo.co.uk

Title

Impact of cork extraction on birds: Relevance for conservation of Mediterranean biodiversity

Reference

Biological Conservation
Volume 144, Issue 5, May 2011, Pages 1655-1662

Author(s)

Ana I. Leal, Ricardo A. Correia, José P. Granadeiro and Jorge M. Palmeirim

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Montados are Mediterranean agro-forestry-pastoral systems recognized as an excellent example of balance between socio-economic development and biodiversity conservation. The economic viability of montados dominated by cork oak Quercus suber depends on the extraction of cork (the bark of trees), usually in 9 year cycles, which is mostly used for production of bottle stoppers. This study evaluated the impact of cork extraction on biodiversity, using birds as indicators.
Comparing bird assemblages of areas with recently extracted cork and older cork revealed that only two species of bark gleaners and two of bark-foliage gleaners had lower densities in recently debarked areas. Arthropod sampling revealed that, in the first years after cork extraction, the bark has less prey, suggesting that the reduction in bark gleaners densities is a result of the decreased food availability. Focal observations confirmed that the affected species were those that foraged mostly on cork. However, our data demonstrated that bird richness and the density of the majority of species were unaffected by debarking, and that at the landscape level even bark gleaners had potentially stable populations.
Pressure from the synthetic bottle stopper industry threatens to render montados economically unviable, and consequently be replaced by land uses much less valuable for biodiversity. Showing that cork extraction is compatible with the maintenance of the great ornithological value of montados, our results confirm that it is an economic activity that should be promoted for the benefit of biodiversity.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Human impacts
Forests >> Forest protection >> Forest biodiversity
Forests >> Forest services >> Forest industries/products

Keywords

Cork oak, Cork extraction, Birds, Montados management, Agro-forestry-pastoral system

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006320711000826
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aiencarnacao@fc.ul.pt

Title

Farming system modelling for agri-environmental policy design: The case of a spatially non-aggregated allocation of conservation measures

Reference

Ecological Economics
Volume 70, Issue 5, 15 March 2011, Pages 891-899

Author(s)

Laure Bamière, Petr Havlík, Florence Jacquet, Michel Lherm, Guy Millet and Vincent Bretagnolle

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper addresses the issue of designing policies for habitat conservation on agricultural land. The case under study requires a non-aggregated spatial distribution of the fields to be enrolled in an agri-environmental programme. A spatially explicit mathematical programming farm-based model, which accounts for three spatial levels (field, farm and landscape), is coupled with a relevant spatial pattern index (the Ripley L-function) to analyse the design and implementation of an agri-environmental programme aimed to preserve the Tetrax tetrax in the Plaine de Niort, France. The model is run using a stylised map with heterogeneous soil types and both crop growing and mixed dairy farms. Results show that valuable insights into agri-environmental programme design are gained through a detailed representation of farming system management. The suitable, non-aggregated spatial pattern for T. tetrax conservation is more costly than less-suitable, more aggregated patterns, because it tends to require equal participation of all farms. The policy simulations reveal that the various spatial patterns can be obtained through relatively simple uniform contract structures. An effective contract structure entails a set of two degressive payments which encourages all farms to enrol at least a small share of their land in the program.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture>> Agricultural management>>Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity>> Habitats>>Habitat management

Keywords

Agri-environmental programmes; Spatial pattern; Mathematical programming; Biodiversity; Farmland birds

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800910005112
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lbamiere@grignon.inra.fr

Title

Biological conservation in dynamic agricultural landscapes: Effectiveness of public policies and trade-offs with agricultural production

Reference

Ecological Economics
Volume 70, Issue 5, 15 March 2011, Pages 910-920

Author(s)

F. Barraquand and V. Martinet

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Land use change and land management intensification are major drivers of biodiversity loss, especially in agricultural landscapes, that cover a large and increasing share of the world's surface. Incentive-based agri-environmental policies are designed to influence farmers' land-use decisions in order to mitigate environmental degradation. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of agri-environmental schemes for biological conservation in a dynamic agricultural landscape under economic uncertainty. We develop a dynamic ecological economic model of agricultural land-use and spatially explicit population dynamics. We then relate policies (subsidies to grassland, taxation of agricultural intensity) to the ecological outcome (probability of persistence of a species of interest). We also analyze the associated trade-offs between agricultural production (in value) and biological conservation (in probability of persistence) at the landscape scale.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture>> Agricultural management>>Agri-environment schemes
Agriculture  >> Agricultural management>> Land use change

Keywords

Agriculture; Conservation; Dynamic landscape; Ecological-economic model; Land-use change; Price volatility

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092180091100005X
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frederic.barraquand@uit.no

Title

Bio economic modeling for a sustainable management of biodiversity in agricultural lands

Reference

Ecological Economics

Volume 70, Issue 4, 15 February 2011, Pages 617-626

Author(s)

L. Mouysset, L. Doyen, F. Jiguet, G. Allaire and F. Leger

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

For several decades, significant changes in farmland biodiversity have been reported in Europe. Agriculture is a major driver of these modifications. Taking into account these environmental impacts, agriculture nowadays aims at a more sustainable way of producing which would reconcile its economic and ecological functions. The objective of this paper is to give insights into the impact of public policies on both conservation of biodiversity and farming production. We develop a macro-regional model combining community dynamics of 34 bird species impacted by agricultural land-uses and an economic decision model. The ecological dynamic model is calibrated with the STOC (French Breeding Bird Survey) and AGRESTE (French land-uses) databases while the economic model relies on the gross margins of the FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network). We investigate the scenario based on subsidies and taxes. We show that simple economic instruments could be used to establish scenarios promoting economic performances and bird populations. It is pointed out how the sustainability of the policies is sensitive to the ecological and economic indicators used by the planner. The bio-economical analysis shows several solutions for the ecology-economy trade-off. These results suggest that many possibilities are available to develop multi-functional sustainable agriculture.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

Biodiversity, Agriculture, Bioeconomic modelling, Sustainability, Bird, Land-use

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092180091000501X
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mouysset@mnhn.fr

Title

Minimising the harm to biodiversity of producing more food globally
The challenge of global food sustainability

Reference

Food Policy
Volume 36, Supplement 1, January 2011, Pages S62-S71

Author(s)

Ben Phalan, Andrew Balmford, Rhys E. Green and Jörn P.W.Scharlemann

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Should farming and conservation policies aim broadly to separate land for nature and land for production (land sparing) or integrate production and conservation on the same land (wildlife-friendly farming)? Most studies that try to address this question suffer from flaws in sampling design, inappropriate metrics, and/or failure to measure biodiversity baselines. We discuss how these failings can be addressed, and what existing information tells us about the key debates on this topic. The evidence available suggests that trade-offs between biodiversity and yield are prevalent. While there are some wildlife-friendly farming systems that support high species richness, a large proportion of wild species cannot survive in even the most benign farming systems. To conserve those species, protection of wild lands will remain essential. Sustainable intensification could help to facilitate sparing of such lands, provided that as much attention is given to protecting habitats as to raising yields. We discuss the general circumstances under which yield increases can facilitate land sparing, recognising that policies and social safeguards will need to be context-specific. In some situations, bringing degraded lands into production could help reduce pressure on wild lands, but much more information is needed on the biodiversity implications of using degraded lands. We conclude that restricting human requirements for land globally will be important in limiting the impacts on biodiversity of increasing food production. To achieve this, society will need to integrate explicit conservation objectives into local, regional and international policies affecting the food system.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Food security
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming

Keywords

Biodiversity conservation, Agriculture, Land sparing, Wildlife-friendly farming,
Organic farming, Land-use policy

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306919210001223
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btp22@cam.ac.uk

Title

The Satoyama Index: A biodiversity indicator for agricultural landscapes

Reference

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Volume 140, Issues 1-2, 30 January 2011, Pages 20-26

Author(s)

Taku Kadoya  and Izumi Washitani

Study type

Peer Review Journal   

Abstract

Agricultural development to meet rapidly growing demands for food and biofuel and the abandonment of traditional land use have had major impacts on biodiversity. Habitat diversity is one of the most important factors influencing biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. In this study we propose an ecological index of ecosystem or habitat diversity in agricultural landscapes - the Satoyama Index (SI) - that is discernible under appropriate spatial units (e.g., 6 km × 6 km) from 1 km × 1 km gridded land-cover data available from an open-access web site. A high SI value is an indicator of high habitat diversity, which is characteristic of traditional agricultural systems, including Japanese satoyama landscapes, while a low value indicates a monotonic habitat condition typical of extensive monoculture landscapes. The index correlated well with the spatial patterns of occurrence of a bird of prey (Butastur indicus) and species richness of amphibians and damselflies in Japan. The values of the SI also corresponded well to the spatial patterns of typical traditional agricultural landscapes with high conservation value in other countries, for example, the dehesas of the Iberian Peninsula and shade coffee landscapes in Central America. Globally, the pattern of East/South-East Asian paddy belts with their high index values contrasts markedly with the low values of the Eurasian, American, and Australian wheat or corn belts. The SI, which correlates landscapes with biodiversity through potential habitat availability, is highly promising for assessing and monitoring the status of biodiversity irrespective of scale.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

Amphibian species richness, Butastur indicus, Convention on Biological Diversity, Countryside biodiversity, Damselfly species richness, Landscape heterogeneity

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880910002963
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kadoya@nies.go.jp

Title

Disentangling the effects of fertilisers and pesticides on winter stubble use by farmland birds

Reference

Basic and Applied Ecology, Volume 12, Issue 1,
February 2011, Pages 80-88

Author(s)

Ailsa J. McKenzie, Juliet A. Vickery, Carlo Leifert, Peter Shotton and Mark J. Whittingham

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Cereal stubbles are a preferred foraging habitat for overwintering granivorous farmland bird species. Levels of this habitat have declined in recent decades across much of western Europe with increasing agricultural intensification. Organic farms typically hold more stubble fields than conventional farms and thus may provide important refuges for wintering birds. However, while organic stubble fields often contain higher food densities than conventional stubble fields, the more complex vegetation structure associated with organic farming may decrease use by birds. Bird use, vegetation characteristics and seed densities were measured on stubble plots managed under four strategies (Organic [organic fertiliser only and no chemical pesticides], Conventional [inorganic fertiliser and chemical pesticides], NOFERT [organic fertiliser only and chemical pesticides) and NOPEST [inorganic fertiliser and no chemical pesticides]). Skylarks foraged most frequently on stubbles which received no pesticide applications which also had the highest weed seed densities. Plots receiving either inorganic or organic fertiliser applications did not differ in terms of use by skylarks, weed seed density or diversity, or vegetation structure. Plot use by yellowhammers was not significantly related to pesticide or fertiliser applications. Possible reasons for this are discussed. Results suggest that the main benefit of organic stubble fields for birds is via reduced pesticide inputs. Use of inorganic fertilisers is also beneficial for birds via increased weed seed densities, but to a lesser extent.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming
Biodiversity >> Threats to biodiversity >> Human impacts

Keywords

Fertilisers; Fertilizers; Herbicides; Organic; Birds; Foraging; Seed diversity; Farmland

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1439179110001349
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a.j.mckenzie@ncl.ac.uk

Title

Landscape composition influences farm management effects on farmland birds in winter: A pan-European approach

Reference

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
Volume 139, Issue 4, 15 December 2010, Pages 571-577

Author(s)

Flavia Geiger et al

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This study examined the effects of agricultural intensity, various farming practices, landscape composition and vegetation cover on the abundance and species richness of wintering farmland birds, assessed simultaneously across seven European regions.
The abundance and species richness of wintering farmland birds were negatively affected by agricultural intensity. The effects of yield and farm type were interlinked. Of the 10 farming practices assessed, mechanical weeding and the amount of organic fertilizer applied negatively affected farmland birds, presumably due to reduced food availability on arable fields. Positive effects of organic farming on farmland birds proved to be limited to simplified landscapes. More farmland birds were observed in areas with more stubble, pasture and green manure crops. Species richness was higher in areas with more pasture.
The results of this study show that farm management, vegetation cover and landscape composition all influence wintering farmland birds. Heterogeneous landscapes comprising arable crops as well as grasslands support most species of farmland birds in winter. The effectiveness of organic farming and agri-environment schemes depends on landscape composition. Therefore, different agri-environment schemes should be designed for different landscape types.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Organic farming
Biodiversity >> Habitats >> Habitat management

Keywords

Organic farming, Farming practice, Agricultural intensification, Arable, Agri-environment scheme

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167880910002513
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flavia.geiger@wur.nl

Title

Boundary organizations for sustainable land management: The example of Dutch Environmental Co-operatives

Reference

Ecological Economics
Volume 70, Issue 2, 15 December 2010, Pages 283-295
Special Section: Ecological Distribution Conflicts

Author(s)

Jeremy Franks

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This paper uses Boundary Organization Theory (BOT) to examine the proposition that Dutch Environmental Co-operatives (ECs) conform to the characteristics of boundary organizations (BOs). Many conservationists believe BO-type institutions are essential for addressing eco-system management problems, but believe there are currently too few examples of BOs working across sustainability issues. It is concluded that ECs have organizational structures and work practices typical of BOs: they allow people on different sides of the land management for food and nature conservation boundary (land managers, conservationists, scientists and policy makers) to negotiate to transform agri-environmental schemes into boundary objects and scheme options into implementable standardized packages. This is achieved by adopting convening, translation, collaboration and mediation functions that create extended peer communities able to contribute important knowledge of eco-system management, whilst allowing each participate to remain within their respective professional boundaries and responsible to their different constituencies. As an example of BOs, ECs are a post-normal sustainability technology (PNST) that offers 'clumsy' solutions to the 'wicked' problem of eco-system management. BOs work in many fields across the globe, showing their underling organizational principals and working practices are not restricted to any particular issue or geographical monopoly. As such, ECs - adjusted to suit local priorities and circumstances - could be the basis of a more widely used sustainability-led governance unit most particularly where cultural practices favour collective and collaborative behaviour.

Policy theme(s)

Agriculture >> Agricultural management >> Agri-environment schemes
Land use >> Planning

Keywords

Collaboration, Boundary organizations, Environmental co-operative, Nature management

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800910003356
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J.R.Franks@ncl.ac.uk.