ELN-FAB

European Learning Network on Functional AgroBiodiversity

for a more sustainable agriculture and countryside in Europe

                                                         

Problem definition

Small scale, fragmented application of FAB

Important contribution to sustainable agriculture

Need for upscaling experiences and practice

                                                         

Background of the ELN-FAB Initiative of the Ministry of VROM, the Netherlands Started January 2009 ECNC in cooperation with DIVERSITAS

agroBIODIVERSITY International Project Office (AB-IPO)

Financially supported by:– The European Commission LIFE+ NGO programme;– Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, the Netherlands;– Flemish Land Agency (VLM), Belgium;– Swiss Federal Office for the Environment;– Ministry of Agriculture, Estonia;– European Environment Agency.

                                                         

Mission of the ELN-FAB

ELN-FAB is set to provide a platform and facility for exchange of knowledge and practical experiences with other EU member states, between farmers, policy makers, scientists, businesses and NGOs, in order to

Enable fast and effective implementation of best practices;

Help to optimize agrobiodiversity benefits; Promote sustainable agriculture.

                                                         

The concept of FAB

‘those elements of biodiversity on the scale of agricultural fields or landscapes, which provide ecosystem services that support sustainable agricultural production and can also deliver benefits to the regional and global environment and the public at large’ (ELN-FAB, 2009; www.eln-fab.eu)

                                                         

The concept of FAB

                                                         

Multiple ecosystem services

                                                         

Multiple ecosystem servicesExample of FAB-based practice

Types of ecosystem services provided

Benefits for farmers or society as a whole

Provide habitat and resources to pollinators on farmland, through implementation or conservation of semi-natural landscape elements

Pollination Increased yields and quality of farm crops that require pollination; landscape aesthetics

Mixed rotations Biological pest and disease control; increased soil fertility

Reduced costs of external inputs; reduced environmental impacts; reduced pesticide residues landscape aesthetics

Field margin management to provide alternative food sources and overwintering sites for pest natural enemies.

Biological pest control

Hedgerows Soil and water conservation Reduced soil erosion and water loss; less damage to infrastructure; landscape aesthetics

Reduced tillage for enhancing earthworm numbers and diversity

Maintenance of good soil structure; nutrient cycling

Improved water infiltration; less waterlogging; reduced soil erosion

Use of green manure cover crops, including legumes

Maintenance of good soil structure and nutrient cycling by a diverse community of soil organisms; retention of nutrients

Reduced dependence on external inputs; reduced environmental impacts

Production of rare, traditional crops, cultivars or animal breeds

Conservation of plant or animal genetic resources

Improved income from value added specialty products; future adaptive capacity and resilience to disturbances

                                                         

FAB in practiceLarge scale biodiversity project in the Hoekse Waard. Addition of annual and perennial field margins to existing landscape features (polders, dikes, creeks, canal borders).

                                                         

Challenges

Increase awareness among policy makers and end-users about FAB and its benefits

Have the FAB concept incorporated in policies (CAP, Directives, NAP’s)

Develop effective FAB prescriptions tailored to specific crops, climatic zones, soil types…

                                                         

Stakeholders

27 member countries of the EU + Switzerland and Norway

The primary stakeholders are:

- the land managers;- the research community;- the policymakers.

                                                         

Implementation structure

                                                         

Activities (1)

To make sure that the information reaches the different target groups:

Steering group of the network has been set up;Project communication material has been developed: logo and brochure;Stakeholder groups were contacted on European and national levels and other possible intermediaries who could actively participate in the project;

                                                         

Activities (2)

All the ministers responsible for environment and agriculture in the EU 27 and Norway have been informed about the project together with European Commission Directorates-General;

Connection and cooperation with other relevant networks and companies has been explored;

A brochure about the concept of FAB has been prepared; The official website of the project has been developed (

www.eln-fab.eu); Register of agrobiodiversity projects throughout

Europe has been prepared;

                                                         

Activities (3) Organizing European seminars and

regional awareness raising workshops;

Disseminating information on the network via various high-level events and forums;

Preparing a FAB guidance document that describes the FAB policy and practices and that provides practical examples for a number of selected FAB measures.

                                                         

Plans on longer term

Defining the future priorities in the light of policy; Organizing an European seminar, focusing on the

ecosystem services provided by FAB in relation to sustainable agriculture and water conservation;

Broadening the geographical scope of the project in order to develop a Pan-European network;

Developing joint project (research) proposals for submission to European funds (LIFE+, FP7, etc.)

                                                         

Involvement in other networks

Stakeholder forum of the EcoFINDERS project (Ecological Function and Biodiversity Indicators in European Soils)

SUSTAIN project partner (Soil Functional Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, a Transdisciplinary Approach)

Stakeholder Advisory Board of the QUESSA project (Quantification of ecological services for sustainable agriculture)

BiodiversityKnowledge project

                                                         

Thank you for your attention!