Period: 01.11.2020 – 31.10.2022

Funding SOURCE: ARIS, MKGP

REFERENCE NR.: V4-2018

PROJECT PROGRAMME: target research programme

COORDINATORS AND CONTACTS: assist. prof. dr. Danijel Ivajnšič, assoc. prof. dr. Damjan Strnad

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Landscape heterogeneity and the forthcoming agricultural policy measures in Slovenia

Abstract:

The project will contribute to the redefinition of agricultural landscapes in Slovenia, which are a dynamic superorganism composed of biotic, abiotic and social components, all with the aim of upgrading the system for the conservation of all levels of biodiversity (genetic, species, ecosystem, landscape), which has been identified as one of the nine specific objectives of the Common Agricultural Policy post-2021. The two existing indices of biodiversity in the agricultural landscape (Slovenian Birds of the Agricultural Landscape Index, Conservation of Habitat Types) currently show an unfavourable situation, and it is therefore necessary to start implementing measures to improve the situation. Such measures certainly include the inclusion of a data layer of several landscape feature types in the LPIS, which will in turn improve the system for the conservation and protection of landscape features, including the creation of new landscape features, as well as any measures for the maintenance/restoration/extension/enrichment of existing ones, especially in agriculturally intensive landscapes, where these are in short supply. The unique assemblages of fauna and flora in landscape features play a biotic and abiotic role in the maintenance of agro-ecosystems. We will also address the basic postulates of the European Landscape Convention, which aims to achieve sustainable development based on a balanced and harmonious relationship between social needs, the economy and the environment.

Project goals:
– identify areas for the conservation, restoration and establishment of landscape features, and the definition of a set of landscape features suitable for the conservation of biodiversity in agriculture,
– prepare recommendations for the appropriate management (conservation, restoration and establishment) of individual landscape features,
– prepare a classification and precise definition of landscape features (including presentation of ecological needs of species and their habitats, provision of ecosystem services, …) relevant to both biodiversity and agriculture, and identify those landscape features that need to be maintained at the level of conditionality and those that should be maintained through climate and environmental schemes and interventions of the II. pillar as above-standard requirements,
– define the dividing line between standard and above-standard measures, and prepare appropriate calculations for support for farmers,
– prepare the contents of mandatory and above-standard measures with a clear intervention logic, and propose an appropriate minimum share of agricultural area intended for non-production characteristics or landscape features,
– to prepare starting points for determining the landscape features for inclusion among the eligible areas of income support under the direct payment scheme,
– to develop an appropriate system for capturing data of individual types of landscape features in order to improve the data bases,
– prepare an upgrade of the existing inventory of landscape features, adapted to the needs of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food for the needs of preparation and effective implementation of the Strategic Plan from 2023 onwards, which will be suitable for inclusion in the Land Identification System (LPIS), and preparation of its maintenance proposal.