CONTEXT
Organic and low-input farming systems provide habitat for wildlife. These farming systems also make use of old breeds. Thus, they significantly contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity in Europe. The objective of the research project BioBio (Biodiversity indicators for organic and low-input farming systems, EU FP7, KBBE-227161, 2009–2012) was to identify a set of biodiversity indicators which are (i) scientifically sound, (ii) generic at the European scale and (iii) relevant and useful for stakeholders.
THE PROJECT
For this purpose they have established a set of 23 indicators with minimum redundancies within the components of habitat-, species- and genetic (livestock, crops) diversity as well as farm management indicator. These indicators were measured in 15 case study regions of Austria, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Wales, Tunisia, Ukraine and Uganda. In each region, 14 – 20 farms were selected.
THE RESULTS
As results, the project has published several deliverables, a brochure and a book of guidelines. For further information and access the results, you can check:
- The webpage of the project
- The guidelines ‘Biodiversity Indicators for European Farming Systems’ and its summary in 20 languages.
- The deliverables
- The scientific publications
