A farming systems approach to linking agricultural policies with biodiversity and ecosystem services

Many countries are reshaping their agricultural policies to better enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) in farmlands, but measuring the effectiveness of policy instruments in BES delivery is challenging. Using the European Agricultural Policy as an example, we propose the application of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Frontiers in ecology and the environment 2021-04, Vol.19 (3), p.168-175
Main Authors: Santos, José L, Moreira, Francisco, Ribeiro, Paulo F, Canadas, Maria J, Novais, Ana, Lomba, Angela
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agrarian structures
Agricultural ecosystems
Agricultural land
Agricultural policy
Biodiversity
CONCEPTS AND QUESTIONS
Ecological research
Ecosystem services
Ecosystems
Environmental changes
Farm management
Farming
Farming systems
Farms
Measuring instruments
Policies
System effectiveness
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Summary:Many countries are reshaping their agricultural policies to better enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES) in farmlands, but measuring the effectiveness of policy instruments in BES delivery is challenging. Using the European Agricultural Policy as an example, we propose the application of a farming systems (FS) approach as a cost-effective tool for linking policy design and expected BES outcomes. On the basis of available data from subsidy payment agencies, such an approach can identify groups of farms that share similar management practices as well as the associations between FS and corresponding BES potential, and improve modeled outputs of farm management responses to policies and other drivers of change. We describe how this relatively unexplored source of information can help to support applied ecological research and relevant policy, and call for these data to be made available across Europe and elsewhere.
ISSN:1540-9295
1540-9309
DOI:10.1002/fee.2292