Low Input Farming Systems: an Opportunity to Develop Sustainable Agriculture - Proceedings of the JRC Summer University - Ranco, 2-5 July 2007

The concept of sustainability applied to agriculture developed mainly as a result of growing awareness of negative impacts of intensive farming systems on the environment and the quality of life of rural and neighbouring communities. Intensive farming systems are based on genetically uniform crops and livestock breeds, vulnerable to pests and diseases. High yields are obtained through dependency on external inputs (especially fossil energy, fertilizers and pesticides) which can cause decreased air, water, soil and food quality. Intensification and specialisation also bring about landscape changes, resulting in its homogenisation and destruction of traditional landscape elements and, consequently, loss of habitats. Marginal areas, on the other hand, are threatened with cessation of agricultural practices and land abandonment. All these factors also lead, directly or indirectly, to the loss of biodiversity. Lewandowski et al. defined in 1999 sustainable agriculture as ¿the management and utilization of the agricultural ecosystem in a way that maintains its biological diversity, productivity, regeneration capacity, vitality, and ability to function, so that it can fulfill ¿ today and in the future ¿ significant ecological, economic and social functions at the local, national and global levels and does not harm other ecosystems¿. The search for sustainability of agriculture inevitably leads to the exploration of the potential of Low Input Farming Systems (LIFS) to achieve this goal. Within this context, the European Commission Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability and SOLAGRO organized a Summer University ¿Low Input Farming Systems: an Opportunity to Develop Sustainable Agriculture¿ which took place on 2-5 July 2007 in Ranco (Italy). The programme of the Summer University has been drawn to reflect the diversity of Low Input Farming Systems in Europe and the complexity of factors currently impacting on European agriculture. This report contains the papers which were presented at the meeting as well as final conclusions, summarizing the main points of the discussions which suggested possible lines of future research and policy options which might support LIFS in EuropeJRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Analysis of Spatial and Temporal Variations of High Nature Value Farmland and Links with Changes in Bird Populations: A Study on France

The 'High Nature Value farming' idea connects the preservation of biodiversity with the need to safeguard the continuation of farming in certain areas and the maintenance of specific farming systems associated with a long-term management approach. The need for measures to prevent the loss of High Nature Value farmland is widely acknowledged. Conservation of biodiversity on agricultural land is an explicit objective of the pan-European Biodiversity and Landscape Strategy, the Bern Convention and, at EU level, the Habitats and Birds Directives and the Rural Development Policy (Community Strategic Guidelines for Rural Development Programming Period 2007-2013). Conserving High Nature Value farmland is a key aspect in achieving future biodiversity targets. In their 2003 ¿Kyiv¿ declaration, the European Environment Ministers have set the goal to identify HNV farmland in Europe and take adequate conservation measures. The COM(2010) 4 final ¿Options for an EU vision and target for biodiversity beyond 2010¿ recognises the need of preserving and enhancing farming and forestry with a high nature value in the context of the CAP. Furthermore, in 2006 the frame of agri-environmental indicators for monitoring the integration of environmental concerns into the common agricultural policy has been formally identified and published in the COM (2006) 508. The High Nature Value farmland indicator is part of the framework, as well as indicators on Population trends in farmland birds. JRC/IES is one of the EC services that are developing such indicators. The aim of this study is to improve the methodology to define HNV farmland areas and investigate more thoroughly the link between bird species and farmland habitat. The French case study is presented in high detail; relevant statistical data were available regarding agriculture practices both at present and past time periods, which provided the information for the development of a national HNV indicator. Data from the French Breeding Bird Census have been used to seek for links between bird species and bird indices, and spatial and temporal distribution of HNV farmland.JRC.DDG.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Case Study - France, Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation (SoCo Project)

This Technical Note 'Case Study ¿ France' is part of a series of case studies within the ¿Sustainable Agriculture and Soil Conservation¿ (SoCo) project. Ten case studies were carried out in Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom between spring and summer 2008. The selection of case study areas was designed to capture differences in soil degradation processes, soil types, climatic conditions, farm structures and farming practices, institutional settings and policy priorities. A harmonised methodological approach was pursued in order to gather insights from a range of contrasting conditions over a geographically diverse area. The case studies were carried out by local experts to reflect the specificities of the selected case studies.JRC.DDG.J.5-Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Econom

Identification of High Nature Value Farmland in France through Statistical Information and Farm Practices Surveys

The Concept of High Nature Value (HNV) farmland has been evolving over the last fifteen years in Europe. In the European Union this has been closely linked to the aim of integrating environmental concerns in the Common Agricultural Policy. The idea that nature values, environmental qualities, even cultural heritage are linked to or dependent on farming, also underlies and supports the concept of a multifunctional 'European model of farming' which provides benefits other than food. The 'High Nature Value farming' idea thus ties the preservation of biodiversity and wildlife value of the countryside to the need to safeguard the continuation of farming in certain areas with maintenance of specific farming systems associated to the long-term management of these areas. The work presented in the report aims at better identifying and characterising HNV farmland at national level (France) with a farm system approach based on FSS statistical data and specific national surveys, taking into account the whole farm with the total agricultural area and its characteristics. In a first step relevant variables have been selected to calculate the “crop diversity” indicator at NUTS 5. In a second step the crop diversity indicator has been combined overlaid with other data sets from other surveys (“Grassland” Survey and “Forestry” Survey) to build “the landscape elements” and “the extensive crops and grasslands” indicators. In a third step these three indicators have been weighted to calculate a final score and draw maps at municipality scale (NUTS 5).JRC.H.5-Rural, water and ecosystem resource

Betriebliche Bewirtschaftungsindikatoren für Biodiversität im Ökologischen Landbau und in extensiven Anbausystemen in Europa

Farming practices are the key to maintaining and restoring farmland biodiversity. Selected farm management indicators, regarded as scientifically sound, practicable and attractive to stakeholders, were tested against species indicators in various farm types in 12 case studies across Europe. A set of eight farm management indicators is recommended, reflecting the pressure on biodiversity by farm management via energy and nutrient input, mechanical operations, pesticide use and livestock

Indicators for the on-farm assessment of crop cultivar and livestock breed diversity: a survey-based participatory approach

International audienceAgrobiodiversity plays a fundamental role in guaranteeing food security. However, still little is known about the diversity within crop and livestock species: the genetic diversity. In this paper we present a set of indicators of crop accession and breed diversity for different farm types at farm-level, which may potentially supply a useful tool to assess and monitor farming system agrobiodiversity in a feasible and relatively affordable way. A generic questionnaire was developed to capture the information on crops and livestock in 12 European case study regions and in Uganda by 203 on-farm interviews. Through a participatory approach, which involved a number of stakeholders, eight potential indicators were selected and tested. Five of them are recommended as potentially useful indicators for agrobiodiversity monitoring per farm: (1) crop-species richness (up to 16 crop species), (2) crop-cultivar diversity (up to 15 crop cultivars, 1-2 on average), (3) type of crop accessions (landraces accounted for 3 % of all crop cultivars in Europe, 31 % in Uganda), (4) livestock-species diversity (up to 5 livestock species), and (5) breed diversity (up to five cattle and eight sheep breeds, on average 1-2).We demonstrated that the selected indicators are able to detect differences between farms, regions and dominant farm types. Given the present rate of agrobiodiversity loss and the dramatic effects that this may have on food production and food security, extensive monitoring is urgent. A consistent survey of crop cultivars and livestock breeds on-farm will detect losses and help to improve strategies for the management and conservation of on-farm genetic resources

Indicateurs de biodiversité dans les exploitations agricoles biologiques et conventionnelles des Vallées et Coteaux de Gascogne, cas d’étude français du projet européen BIOBIO

Dans le cadre du projet européen BIOBIO, nous avons comparé entre pays les richesses en habitats et richesses spécifiques cumulées de quatre groupes taxonomiques (plantes, abeilles sauvages, araignées, vers de terre), de 169 exploitations biologiques ou conventionnelles appartenant à 10 pays. Pour le cas d’étude français, Vallées et Coteaux de Gascogne, les corrélations entre indicateurs directs (richesses spécifiques des taxons et habitats) et indirects (pratiques agricoles) de biodiversité, relevés dans 8 exploitations conventionnelles et 8 biologiques, ont été recherchées. Les résultats montrent que le nombre d’habitats cultivés et surtout semi-naturels par exploitation est le principal facteur déterminant le niveau de biodiversité à cette échelle, pour le cas d’étude français comme pour les autres cas d’étude. Ce facteur explique en partie le plus haut niveau de biodiversité observé pour le cas d’étude français. Néanmoins, les pratiques, spécifiques ou non des modes de production biologique et conventionnelle, gouvernent généralement les paramètres de biodiversité à l’échelle de l’habitat. In fine, le projet propose la méthode BIOBIO de suivi de la biodiversité dans les exploitations agricoles

Biodiversity indicators in organic and conventional farming systems: main results from the European project BIOBIO

In the framework of the European project BIOBIO, we compared between countries habitat and cumulated species richnesses of plants, wild bees, spiders and earthworms, measured in 169 conventional and organic farms belonging to 10 case studies in 10 European countries. For the French case study (Gascony Valleys and Hills), correlations between direct (habitat and taxonomic richnesses) and indirect (agricultural practices) indicators of biodiversity within 8 conventional and 8 organic farms, were calculated. Results showed that the main driver of biodiversity at the farm level was the number of cultivated and above all semi-natural habitats, inthe French case study region as well as inthe other regions. This factor partially explained the highest biodiversity level of the French case study region. However, farming practices, specific or not to the organic and conventional systems, most often drove biodiversity parameters at the habitat level. In fine, the project proposed the BIOBIO method for monitoring biodiversity in farms

Indikatoren zur Erfassung genetischer Vielfalt in biologischen und nicht-biologischen Landwirtschaftssystemen

Genetic variability is the fundament of life. Large genetic variability within species is the basis for adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Farmers and breeders have developed a multitude of crop cultivars and animal breeds to stabilize and increase quality and productivity. This study evaluated genetic diversity within different organic and non-organic farming systems using crop-cultivar and livestock-breed information as simple indicators. Data was collected using on-farm surveys in 15 case study regions in Europe and beyond. Selected indicators revealed strong differences of cultivar diversity between different countries and farming systems across Europe. No or only small differences were detectable between organic and non-organic farming systems. Landraces, as on-farm genetic resources, were under-represented in European case study regions

BIOBIO – Indikatoren für Biodiversität in ökologischen und ex-tensiven Anbausystemen

Organic and low-input farming systems provide habitats for wildlife on farmland. The EU FP7 project BIOBIO has identified a core set of 23 indicators relating to the diversity of habitats, of species, of crops and of livestock. Management indicators capturing the pressure on biodiversity are also proposed. The indicators were identified in an iterative process between scientists and stake-holders to make sure that they are not only scientifically sound but also practicable and attractive. They were tested in 12 case study regions on four major farm types. Allocating 0.25 % of the CAP budget to a farm scale biodiversity monitoring would allow to measure and analyse the indicators on 50,000 farms across Europe