Quantitative Measurement of Landscape Features in EU Agriculture: A Novel Indicator Approach

The conservation and creation of landscape features is recognised as a key conservation tool to halt the loss of agricultural biodiversity in European farmland.

This study introduces a new indicator to quantify landscape features in EU agricultural land, based on the LUCAS Landscape Feature survey. We developed a comprehensive methodology to measure and categorise landscape features, distinguishing Woody, Grassy, Wet, and Stony LF types. Our approach gives a robust and reproducible estimate of the indicator at the EU Member State and possibly regional levels, based on a reliable and statistically representative sample of landscape features.

The methodology combines office-based photo-interpretation with field surveys collecting 3.8 millions field points, ensuring accuracy in determining the presence and type of landscape features within agricultural contexts. Together with information on biodiversity and ecosystem services, it will play a crucial role in evaluating the performance of major policies related to biodiversity conservation in agricultural lands, aligning with the Common Agricultural Policy and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Besides, it will play a role in the assessment of natural based solutions for mitigating climate change effects, biodiversity loss and crop production (food) security.

Our findings reveal that, in 2022, landscape features covered 5.6% of EU agricultural land. Woody features were the most prevalent, followed by Grassy, Wet, and Stony features. The percentages of landscape features varied across EU Member States, with Malta and Cyprus exhibiting higher values.

The novel indicator developed is based on a comprehensive and reproducible method for quantifying these features, providing essential insights for policy and decision-making in sustainable agriculture.