Development of a nature value index for pastoral farmland—A rapid farm-level assessment

摘要: Abstract Sustainable agriculture is important for the safeguarding of natural resources (e.g. semi-natural habitats, clean water and energy), food production survival rural communities. As part EU strategy towards sustainability Member States are committed to identifying protecting areas agrobiodiversity. Identification extent support High Nature Value (HNV) farmland across was an policy requirement Rural Development Programmes (RDP) (2007–2013) but problems defining HNV have delayed progress date. Following a five step statistical process, we developed simple 10 point nature value index based on percentage improved agricultural grassland, stocking density (LU/ha Utilisable Agricultural Area) length linear habitats per hectare farm. We propose that can be used highlight farms with low biodiversity allowing targeting measures such as increasing field boundary area or reducing inorganic Nitrogen inputs, already sustainable from perspective, could labelled through national programs even should targeted results-based agri-environment schemes. This has potential applied range farmed pastoral landscapes in North West Europe's Atlantic biogeographic region. The methodology development other zones develop similar indices at farm level. use, easily accessible identification tool farm-level data which utilised identification.