Journal
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
Volume 77, Issue -, Pages 205-217Publisher
ELSEVIER
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.01.010
Keywords
Agricultural biodiversity; Agri-environment scheme; Ecological focus area; Essential biodiversity variables; Landscape diversity; Habitat map; Monitoring; Policy evaluation
Categories
Funding
- European Union
- Austrian Ministry for Science and Research
- MTA
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Habitat descriptors are cost effective biodiversity indicators demanded by stakeholders and required for regional and global biodiversity monitoring. We mapped 195 farms of different types in twelve case study regions across Europe and tested 18 habitat descriptors for scientific validity, information content and ease of interpretation. We propose a core set consisting of (i) four descriptors to measure structural composition and configuration of farms (Habitat Richness, Habitat Diversity, Patch Size, and Linear Habitats), (ii) three descriptors addressing specific habitat types (Crop Richness, Shrub Habitats, and Tree Habitats) and (iii) one interpreted descriptor (Semi-Natural Habitats). As a set, the descriptors make it possible to evaluate the habitat status of a farm and to track changes occurring due to modified land use and/or management, including agri-environmental measures. The farm habitat maps can provide ground truth information for regional and global biodiversity monitoring. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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