A systematic approach for assessing spatially and temporally differentiated opportunity costs of biodiversity conservation measures in grasslands

摘要: Abstract Biodiversity loss in Europe is caused to a large extent by agricultural intensification. To halt this loss, agri-environment schemes have been introduced compensate farmers for (costly) biodiversity conservation measures. Current often consider only few measures which insufficient conserve all endangered an region. This problem particularly pertinent grasslands where many different mowing and grazing dates are required protect the variety of species breeding grassland at times. A key requirement design therefore offer specific compensation more based on systematic approach that calculates farmers' opportunity costs relation timing use still lacking. will best attract calculated line with EU requirements co-financed through Rural Development Programme. We fill gap developing assess dates. Our general enough be applicable spatial scale but can sensitively differentiate among timings. Moreover it straightforward time-saving suitable implementation regional optimisation procedures. demonstrate applying cost assessment decision support software DSS-Ecopay using example German federal state Saxony.