UN Division for Sustainable Development

Case Study Detail Record

Organization type:	Intergovernmental Organization

Name of Organization:

Name of Focal Point:	Ms. Aurore Maillet, Ms. Gyorgyi Gurban

Initiative Title:	Genetic and ecosystem biodiversity programme

Internet links:

Scope:

Status:	Ongoing

Timeframe:	Start: Pre 1997 End:

Lead Institution:	European Commission

Stakeholders/Partners:	great stakeholder consultations, local participation

Relevent issues:	- Environmentally sound pest control - Soil fertility improvement practices

Objectives/Challenges:

- Conserving and restoring natural spaces and the agricultural landscape and to create an environment favourable to the survival and reproduction of wild flora and fauna on land withdrawn from production
- Protecting the landscape and biodiversity of the areas where farms are located by ceasing arable production for environmental reasons

Lessons Learned:

When arable production ceases, it must be for a minimum of 20 years so as to create :
- Habitats for wild fauna and flora
- Variously structured natural environments protected
- Reduced pesticide and herbicide use
- Reduction in chemical and organic fertiliser
- Grazing animals
- Areas for aquaculture
- Marketing of the products from the area.
Implementation of the actions has led to the rapid recovery and development of lowland biodiversity. Some of the species have been absent for decades. Now a complex network of biotopes has been reconstituted, covering some 3000ha on more than 100 farms.

Summary:

The scheme was launched in 1994/5 and is still actively being managed with an expected end date of 2022/23. It is a key element of the Emilia-Romagna regional agri-environmental programme and is part of the rural development programme.

The key actions being utilised:
1. - conservation and restoration of certain typical features of the agri-ecosystem without using pesticides and fertiliser
- creation of wetlands with gently sloping banks and small semi-submerged islands
- water depth that must be suitable for local species
- no fishing rights
- hedges and copses planted in line with rules on permitted species and there must be indigenous flora
- area that must cover at least 5% of the UAA of the farm undertaking the action

The measures have been monitored and evaluated and changes have been made to the actions based on the findings. For example priority for funding has been given to farmers in environmentally sensitive areas, regional parks, Natura 2000 sites, protection zones.