Evaluation of Environmental Measures -Biodiversity | Evaluation des mesures ecologiques - Domaine biodiversite

The Swiss Federal Government introduced environmental direct payments in 1993. Since 1999 direct payments have been conditional on farms producing Proof of Ecological Performance (PEP). Today 97 % of the utilised agricultural area (UAA) are managed according to PEP rules. The most important PEP measure for the preservation and promotion of biodiversity is that at least 7 % of a farm’s UAA have to be managed as ecological compensation areas (3.5 % for special crops such as vineyards, vegetables). Further PEP requirements (balanced farm nutrient budgets, diversified crop rotation, soil conservation, selective pesticide use, welfare-promoting livestock husbandry) can also be influential, but are of secondary importance. […] The PEP pursues environmental goals to be achieved by comparison with 1990–92 (before the introduction of environmental direct payments) (Tab. 1). For example, there are regional and overall Swiss area and quality goals for the percentage of ecological compensation areas (ECAs). These areas are designed to promote species diversity and prevent the loss of species on the Red List. The attainment of these goals was reviewed by means of evaluation projects. These were launched in the mid 90’s and comprised a monitoring project on the Swiss Central Plateau (vegetation, nesting birds and common hares were recorded) as well as several case studies (in which the occurrence of ground beetles, spiders, butterflies, grasshoppers and wild bees was also investigated). In addition a limited number of surveys were carried out in the alpine region. Altogether over 3‘000 ECAs were mapped and assessed. […] The results presented in this report allow an assessment of the effect of ECAs on biodiversity in the Central Plateau, and to some extent in part of the alpine region. However no evidence is available for the Ticino, Valais or Jura. The overall result of the assessment is moderately positive. A measurable benefit for biodiversity has been achieved by ecological compensation. The measures are going in the right direction. However efforts must be intensified in order to attain the goals (Tab. 1), and particularly to promote endangered species. Agriculture alone cannot achieve this, joint efforts are required from agriculture and forestry, as well as nature conservation and regional development. At the same time the preservation and, if necessary, creation of nature conservation areas merits special attention, even in intensively used agricultural landscapes. By interlinking these areas with ECAs the effect of both measures can be enhanced. Care must be taken to find sustainable solutions which on the one hand will improve the environmental situation in the long term, but on the other will also be socially compatible and economically efficient.