With the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the EU Nature Restoration Regulation setting ambitious targets for agricultural landscapes too, robust and scalable monitoring of farmland biodiversity is more important than ever. Comprising cropland and grassland, agriculture covers 37% of the Earth’s surface and 39% of Europe, making it a key driver of biodiversity loss as well as a habitat for many species. Effective monitoring systems are essential for guiding sustainable agricultural management, informing policy and linking agricultural practices to measurable ecological outcomes.

This session will explore practical and innovative indicators and metrics for farmland biodiversity, with a focus on novel technologies that improve monitoring and standardise data collection. Contributions may include traditional field-based methods, as well as cutting-edge technologies such as satellite or airborne remote sensing, passive acoustic monitoring, environmental DNA (eDNA) and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted species identification. These technologies can provide rapid, cost-effective and scalable biodiversity assessments. We particularly welcome contributions that link these indicators to agri-environmental policy instruments such as result-based payment schemes, to global biodiversity targets or to sustainability certifications.

By showcasing scalable monitoring strategies and highlighting how data can be translated into actionable guidance, this session aims to bridge science, policy, and practice. We encourage contributions that connect farmers, nature conservation organisations, researchers, and policymakers, and that identify pathways to integrate farmland biodiversity monitoring into broader biodiversity observing systems.