How useful do you consider the semi-natural habitats on your farm? Prompt questions: Habitat for beneficial organisms? They connect habitats? Barrier to pests and diseases? Windbreak or shelter for livestock? Erosion or pollution control? This should inform us of the value the farmer associates with such habitats, in absolute or in agroecological terms. Some farmers consider such habitats as an integral part of their system, others as merely a constraint. As the Common Agricultural Policy evolves, the question of how farmers value the semi-natural habitats, which they will be required to maintain, becomes of increasing relevance. What are the main environmental constraints or issues in your local area? This will enable you to see if the issues you have identified are known to the farmer and to integrate his response to these issues in any proposals. For example, if the study area is vulnerable to erosion, look for any anti-erosion measures in place or possible. If the farm is close to a protected area, check for impacts of the farm management on the flora or fauna of this area. How do the actions of neighbouring farms impact your own strategy? Prompt questions: Incompatible practises between neighbouring farms? Opportunities for habitat creation, hedgerow planting? Like the previous question, this one encourages the farmer to look beyond the frontiers of his/her own farm to consider possibilities at landscape scale. For example, an organic farmer may be impacted by more intensive agricultural practises from nearby. If the farmer aims to increase habitat connectivity and dispersal of beneficial organisms, it may be worthwhile acting in collaboration with neighbouring farms. 9. Assessing vulnerability and resilience of High Nature Value farming systems Type: Project-based assignment, either using a real farm as a case (includes field work, such as interviewing the owners) or virtual farm case (in class work). Suitable for: vocational or higher education level; Students of agricultural studies / environmental studies / “futures” – related studies. It could also be used for training advisors or community/NGO group for work with farmers. Objectives: To become aware of various aspects of a farm’s resilience and indicators to measure resilience. To learn or practice skills in analysing diversity and interpreting results in light of the resilience concept. Methodology. Adopted from Altieri, M. 2016. Developing and promoting agroecological innovations within country program strategies to address agroecosystem resilience in production landscapes: a guide. GEF Small Grants Programme, UNDP.
Answer y/n on use types; If possible, describe use: e.g. “c. 40 sheep and their lambs for summer grazing c. 4 month/yr” Grazing: Haying: Forestry: Other: II. General inventory Site character (main features such as aspect, drainage, improvements, rocky, wet, etc): Borders (e.g. road, forest, field, conservation area, waterway): Soil type(s): Buildings: Landscape contribution (describes how the site fits into the landscape and whether it “adds value” to the landscape, e.g. shoreline grassland keeps shoreline open): Sub-area inventory * *Repeat for all sub-areas in the site **Note general qualities, e.g. estimated area, management level and other information of interest (e.g. fauna, fungi, constructed drainage, etc) ***only if different from main land use description Wooded area: tree height:___________ coverage %_______________ Tree species: **Description of area: **Management (past & present): Scrub and young trees: coverage %___________________________ **Description of area: ***Management (past & present): Grassland: dominant plants: typical plants: indicator species (e.g. Species of conservation importance): **Description of area: ***Management (past & present): )
PART 2: MANAGEMENT III. Restoration activities Necessary Not necessary Start date (past or future planned) Grassland name/no. Restorative clearing of brush Restorative mowing Restorative grazing Restoration of hydrological regime explanation (e.g. filling ditches, removing berms) Reduction of soil fertility Creation of species-rich sward Other, describe (e.g. conservation of culturally significant elements like stone walls or burial mounds) IV. Management activities Current actions already undertaken Planned actions Grassland site (name or no.) Mowing Frequency/season: use dates where possible. Earliest mowing time. Latest mowing time: Animal mowing (y/n): unmown islets/patches Scaring devices Mowing from centre to edge Mowing height (in