^ * tr^- EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Possible contributions by JRC to meet the needs of the Commission on Agri-Envonmental Indicators JM Terres, D Al-Khudhay 2000 EUR 19639 EN Av M Í$& 0v Institute for Systems, Informatici and Safety
^ - * ^ /s* EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Possible contributions by JRC to meet the needs of the Commission on Agri-Envonmental Indicators JM Terres 1, D Al-Khudhay 2 1 European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre TP262, 21020 Ispra (VA), Italy Email: iean-michel.terres@c.it 2 European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre TP 361, 21020 Ispra (VA), Italy Email: delilah.al-khudhav@c.it 2000 EUR 19639 EN Αν Μ Ψ> Söy 4. *..»- Λοβρββϊ«-*' Instituto for Systems, Applications nvonment Instituto fennaloouasiuo» bum Informatics iikdks and Safety Instituto
LEGAL NOTICE Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use which might be made of the following information. EUR 19639 EN European Communities, 2000 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged Printed in Italy
*r* Cr -t? EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Table of content Introduction 4 Policy context 4 The analytical framework 5 Selection criteria for ΑΕΙ 7 1. Policy relevance 7 2. Analytical soundness 7 3. Measurability 8 4. Level of aggregation 8 Indicators to address Agri-Envonmental issues 8 Technical annexes: 10 Potential JRC contribution to Agri-Envonmental Indicators 10 1. Soil Quality Indicators 10 2. Landscape Indicators 12 3. Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat Indicators 14 4. Water Quality / Use Indicators 15 5. A and Climate Change Indicators 18 6. Impact of Agri-Envonmental measures Indicators 18 Acknoledgement: This report has been compiled with the information given by all members of the JRC Cluster Agri- Envonment and the collaborators (G Bidoglio, Ρ Part, AC Cardoso, S Folving, Ρ Kennedy, J Puumalainen, C Estreguil, N Nielsen, E Garbolino, S Sommer, L Montanarella, S Armoni, G Gallego, S Peedell, Ρ Astrand, H Nielsagard).
* ** a EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Introduction Agriculture is the biggest land user in the European Union (EU). Over the centuries, European agriculture has given rise to unique landscapes with a rich variety of semi-natural habitats and species. However, the modernisation induced by the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in the last few decades has increased agricultural production but has sometimes also been accompanied by damaging effects and pressure on the envonment. Problems associated with modern agriculture include pollution of groundwater and surface water supplies by the over-use of fertilisers and run-off from intensive livestock production, damage to the wildlife and plants resulting from the over- and mis-use of pesticides as well as damage to habitats and biodiversity through intensive agricultural drainage and insufficient water resource management. Although several agricultural policy reforms were attempted during the eighties to combat specific problems associated with the CAP such as its increasing cost and its tendency to produce large surpluses of major commodities, it was not until the 1992 CAP reform, by the provision of accompanying measures (e.g. voluntary agri-envonment measures), that the envonmental dimension was seriously taken into consideration. More recent reforms of the CAP under AGENDA 2000 provide a more powerful impetus for integrating the envonmental dimension into agricultural policy. The content of this reform aims to ensure that European agriculture is multi-functional, sustainable and competitive throughout Europe, including regions with specific problems. Under the new CAP, agriculture will play an important role in preserving the countryside and natural open spaces and contribute toward the vitality of rural life. Envonmental measures will be given a prominent role within the context of integrated rural development programmes implemented from the year 2000. Agri-envonmental programmes are the key strategy for integrating the envonment into agricultural policy taking into account the diversity of natural conditions and agricultural structures. Policy context There is a considerable interest and effort underway among national administrations and international organisations (including the European Commission) in devising and incorporating Agri-Envonmental Indicators (ΑΕΙ) into agri-envonmental policies. The growing demand for indicators and agrienvonmental information is partly because governments are being requed to provide envonmental impact assessments of agricultural and envonmental programmes such as in (1) the International envonmental agreements which ask governments to monitor the progress on Sustainable agriculture (UN Commission - Agenda 21); (2) the Uruguay Round Agreement (1995) which reques governments to reform agricultural policies and to provide envonmental impact assessment of agricultural programmes; (3) the EU's 5th Envonmental Action Programme: "towards sustainability" - strengthening information systems to formulate sustainable way of development and integration of envonmental issues in sectorial policies; (4) the EU enlargement process (Central European countries and (5) the perceived reform of the Common Agricultural Policy under Agenda 2000. The European Union has also been committed to preserving the European Model of Agriculture during its preparation for the Millennium Round of WTO talks. With the restrictions on subsidised exports, the EU continues to reduce internal institutional prices to further align them with those on the world market. The European model of Agriculture is characterised by its multi-functionality i.e. in addition to the primary economic role of providing food for markets, farmers are also engaged in the wider regeneration of rural economies, and envonmental and landscape protection, where high quality food is produced by thriving rural communities in a diverse and sustainable envonment.
* * EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC In this context, appropriately developed agri-envonmental indicators are important for several reasons including: Identifying envonmental problems, risk and benefits related to European agriculture. Improving the targeting of programmes that address agri-envonmental issues that are of concern in Europe today. Enhancing the understanding of the linkages between agricultural practices and its impact on the envonment. Facilitating the monitoring and assessment of agri-envonmental policies and programmes. Agri-envonmental indicators will contribute significantly to the effectiveness of policy implementation for the Member States and feed Global Assessment processes for the European Commission. Moreover, a main task for the future will be the use of these agri-envonment indicators to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the range of instruments provided under Agenda 2000 as well as the effectiveness. The analytical framework Some considerable effort has been recently underway on developing suitable conceptual indicator frameworks and agri-envonment indicators for several reasons, the most important of which include the following: Fst, agriculture has specific characteristics in relation to the envonment since agricultural activities produce both harmful and beneficial impacts on the envonment (soil, water and a quality might be affected by agricultural activities but they can also act as a sink for greenhouse gases (GHG) or prevent flooding and erosion). Second, agriculture and envonment are linked through complex relationships, which could be site specific, non-linear and include some long-term effects. Thd, the agricultural sector in the EU is largely dependent on policy support and government intervention. A well-defined conceptual indicator framework, together with appropriately developed agrienvonment indicators, are both essential for describing the process-relationships between the origin and consequences of envonments problems and benefits and equally important for enhancing our understanding of the complex linkages between the causes and affects of agriculture's impact on the envonment and the response of policy-makers, farmers and the general public to changes in envonmental conditions. Moreover, a well-defined conceptual indicator framework should have a solid methodological and scientific basis with built-in harmonised AEIs, that permit comparisons from one country to another and from one organisation to another. It should also be able to support the analysis of agri-envonment linkages particularly in terms of quantifying the envonmental impacts of agricultural policies and changes in these policies. Overview of the DSR and DPSIR models The OECD's Diving Force State Response (DSR) and the European Envonment Agency/Eurostat's Driving force Pressure State Impact Response (DPSIR) frameworks are examples of the most advanced indicator framework that have been developed and that can be used for addressing the links between agri-envonmental policies, agricultural practices and the envonment. The DPSIR framework is an extension of the OECD's DSR The fundamental difference between these two agri-envonment indicator frameworks is the number of indicator categories. The OECD DSR model may appear more restrictive than the DPSIR model because it only has three indicator categories as opposed to five as it is in the case of the DPSIR model. But, in the DSR model, the driving force and pressure indicators are grouped together. This only leaves out the impact indicator category, which reacts even slower than the
i:* i? EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC state indicators. However, impact indicators are useful for demonstrating cause-effect chains for facilitating dialogue among policy makers. In other words, they can be classified as scientific decision models as opposed to statistical-based indicators. The Driving Force - Pressure-State -Impact Response (DPSIR) model The DPSIR treats the agri-envonment process as a feedback loop controlling a cycle in five stages as follows: Driving force: these are the underlying causes that lead to envonmental pressures e.g. sectoral trends in agriculture. Although these indicators are considered not to be very responsive, they are useful for planning response action plans and to serve as a basis for scenario development. Pressure: these are the human activities that dectly affect the envonment e.g. exploitation of land and water resources. These indicators are responsive and point dectly at the causes of the underlying problem. State: these refer to the observable changes of the envonment as a result of the aforementioned pressures i.e. they reflect the quality of water and soil for example and the consequent ability to support the demands exerted upon them. These indicators are too slow in contract to pressure indicators. But they are useful for providing an assessment of the current state of the envonment. Impact: these reflect the impact of changes in the state of the envonment on ecosystems, biodiversity, amenity value, etc. These indicators are even slower than State indicators, but they are useful for demonstrating cause-effect chains. Response: these reflect the responses of decision and policy makers to solve the problem and which will in turn influence the driving forces, pressures and states, thus completing a feedback loop e.g. introducing incentives to adopt more envonmentally friendly farming practices (response acting on a pressure indicator); implementing land or soil conservation programmes (response acting on a state indicator). These indicators are very fast since they can be used to monitor for example agri-envonment measures that have been introduced to protect wetlands located in the vicinity of rigated agricultural land. Within the DPSIR model, EUROSTAT focuses on Response, Driving force and pressure indicators. EUROSTAT has long archives of basic statistics on agriculture and manages three main agricultural themes: the Farm Structure Survey, livestock and crop production data (including agricultural land use), and the Economic accounts for Agriculture, including prices. Additional data on agriculture is also provided through the Farming Accountancy Data Network managed by DG Agriculture. With regards to pressures on the envonment, EUROSTAT has identified some pressure indicators that are dectly relevant to agriculture and include resource depletion, loss of biodiversity, water pollution and water resources. On the other hand, the EEA has the lead in the State and Impact indicator categories. Although, the EEA has not worked dectly on developing agri-envonmental indicators, its indicator work on priority issues such as nature protection, water, soils and land cover is applicable.
* ** ^* * EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A duster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Eurostat Driving Force Influencing factors e.g. sectoral trends in agriculture Pressure Variables causing envonmental pressure e.g. agricultural practices Eurostat Response e.g. efforts of society to solve the problem: nutrient/ water management, nature conservation, ν y Eurostat \ Impact Variables describing the ultimate effects of changes of state e.g. loss of biodiversity, increased flooding / EEA State variables showing the state of the envonment i.e. observable changes of envonment EEA Figure 1: The DPSIR model Selection criteria for ΑΕΙ Some considerable effort has recently been underway on developing suitable conceptual indicator to improve the understanding of agri-envonment processes and to address the heightened importance of agricultural and envonmental policy issues particularly in the context of sustainable agriculture. Despite the extensive work conducted by OECD with Member States, indicators are plagued by problems such as (1) data availability and coverage, (2) availability at a variety of spatial and temporal resolutions. These imperfections establish one of the roles of the JRC AGRI-ENVIRONMENT cluster. The role to contribute towards the development of specific policy relevant agri-envonment indicators and to use them within the EEA DPSIR conceptual framework. The JRC agri-envonment cluster has the expertise, models and access to information necessary for addressing specific agri-envonment issues such as soil erosion, biodiversity, groundwater and surface water pollution. Moreover, the mission of the Joint Research Centre, as a service of the European Commission and a reference centre of science and technology for the Union, is to provide scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of Agri-Envonment Indicators (ΑΕΙ) to support EU agricultural and envonmental policies. To assist in the selection of an operational set of indicators, four general criteria: policy relevance; analytical soundness; measurability and level of aggregation have to be taken into account. 1. Policy relevance The relevant issues for policy-makers are presented hereafter. The defined indicators should permit to quantify the issues that policies can address (i.e. which are within the control of policy-makers). 1. Landscape, Biodiversity and Wildlife habitats 2. Water quality 3. Water use 4. Soil quality 5. Land conservation 6. A, Climate change 7. Agri-Envonment measures targeting 2. Analytical soundness This criterion concerns the characterisation and explanation of the links between agricultural activities and envonmental conditions. The indicator should be able to show trends and range of values over time. Absolute targets and threshold values still need further scientific evidence and can still vary depending on local conditions. This highlights the importance of the monitoring function when
* * ^* EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC indicators are used at large spatial scales (i.e. European level) while absolute thresholds, defined at national level (when they exist), could complement the diagnostic. 3. Measurability This criterion relates to the availability of data to measure the indicator. Long time data series are preferable because of the lengthy time period for most of the envonmental effects to become apparent. At European level, availability, quality, homogeneity and regularity of data collection are still obstacles to build certain indicators. An important role of the JRC Agri-Envonment Cluster should be to contribute to the elaboration of standard definitions and methods of measurements for AEIs. However, some indicators will be more sensitive and/or relevant to regional situations (e.g. soil erosion). 4. Level of aggregation This criterion seeks to determine at which level (farm, sectoral, regional, national) the indicator should be applied to establish meaningful information for policy monitoring. This criterion encapsulates the spatial and temporal diversity of envonmental phenomena and the geographic scale of different envonmental issues ranging from the farm level through to the global scale. At present, most of the data are collected by Member States according to administrative and political boundaries. However, envonmental processes are better handled at the level of agro-ecological zones or catchments. The use of Geographic Information System associated with modelling techniques would be a way to overcome the problem of data spatialisation between administrative and ecological boundaries. In particular, GIS tools permit to: (a) Store, manage, retrieve, analyse and display baseline/historical as well as a time series of agrienvonment data. (b) Combine a variety of data layers from different sources to explore interactions between agrienvonmental policies/agri-envonmental measures, farm management practices and other agrienvonmental indicators. (c) Compare simulated state indicator results against observed baseline data and linking those to envonmental changes. While the Agricultural policy is determined at the EU level, most of its envonmental effects vary spatially at a regional level. Hence, a consistent way to construct and measure some of the AEIs at the European level could be to define European agro-ecosytems zones and to establish a representative sample set of monitoring sites in each zone. Indicators to address Agri-Envonmental issues Amongst OECD priority AE issues, the following table presents the possible JRC contribution (short and medium term) to provide relevant information to ΑΕΙ and integration of envonmental concerns in the CAP. Theme Land-Cover Water Soil A, Global Climate AE Measures Quality Use Quality Relevant key issues for policy-makers Landscape features arising from the interaction envonment / agriculture Biodiversity of "domestic" plants, livestock but also wildlife Wildlife habitat on agricultural land, semi-natural and natural habitats Surface / ground water concentration (nitrogen, phosphorous, pesticide) Spatial and temporal availability of water resources Salinisation, acidification, toxic contamination Compaction, waterlogging, erosion Productivity, organic matter Contamination from pesticides, soil, biomass burning Climate change: GHG emissions from agriculture, agriculture as a sink for GHG Renewable energy from biomass and biofuels Financial resources targeting AE issues
* i* EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Such indicators should therefore help achieve a better understanding of the complex issues in the domain of agriculture and envonment, to show developments over time and to provide quantitative information. All of these are needed for targeting and monitoring. However, if these indicators are to be meaningful, they must give a sufficiently accurate picture of the underlying processes and relationships that link human activities with the envonment. This is particularly the case in agriculture where the relationship is complex and where farming itself involves a range of biophysical and site specific processes. In order to contribute to the definition, elaboration and harmonisation of AEIs carried out by the working group on "Integration of the envonmental and agricultural policies" (DG AGRI, DG ENV, DG ENT, DG SANCO, Eurostat, EEA, JRC), the JRC Agri-Envonment Cluster can provide a range of technical competence on indicators, especially for the following themes: Landscape / Land Conservation / Biodiversity Water (quality for nitrate, phosphorous, pesticide; use intensity) Soil (erosion; quality) A and climate change targeting of Agri-Envonmental measures For each theme, the following has been established: the agri-envonmental models and methodologies that are being or can be used to (a) generate envonmental information and/or (b) through integrating AEIs, simulate the future impacts of current agri-envonment policies or changes in these policies, data and the availability and quality. The data should reflect for example the physical, chemical and biological state of the envonment, as well as the driving forces and pressures on the envonment, the time and spatial coverage of state, driving force and pressure indicators. At present, JRC resources are committed to the current projects undertaken for the Framework Programme V. In several cases, feasibility studies are possible with in-house resources. However, this would reque a redefinition of current activities or else a reorientation of on-going projects (it would be important to have a well-clarified statement of priorities). Semi-operational or operational activities generally reque additional resources. JRC can undertake the definition of technical specifications, co-ordination and quality control. The following analysis focuses mainly on studies that can be carried out at the EU level or at least for most of the countries of the EU. Special care should be given to extend these studies to candidate countries which has some implications on pan-european envonmental database availability. Feasibility studies could be made on test sites, but some indicators reque detailed or expensive input data to produce results at the EU-level. In such cases, special agreements will have to be arranged.
* k ** EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Technical annexes: Potential JRC contribution to Agri-Envonmental Indicators 1. Soil Quality Indicators 1.1 Risk of soil erosion by water This indicator is highly relevant to policy as it reveals whether agricultural soils are managed sustainably and it can identify areas at risk that reque conservation efforts The indicator combines information on the vulnerability of a soil and information on how agricultural soils are being managed. Definition The agricultural area subject to water erosion Type of Indicator State Input data European Soil map 1/1M for global approach. More detailed for regional or catchment areas Meteorological data Digital Elevation Model (DEM) Land-Cover data (CORINE and satellite data) Method a) At European scale: Use of the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE). E watcr = RxKxLSxCxP/T where: Ewater Water erosion risk index R Rainfall and run-off erosivity (accounting for frequency, duration and intensity of rainfall events) (MJ mm/ha hour year) K Soil erodability (soil texture, drainage conditions, etc...) (t ha hour /ha MJ mm) LS Slope length and steepness factor C Crop management factor (cropping patterns etc... ) Ρ Conservation management factor (tillage practices, etc...) Τ Tolerable soil loss rate (t/ha/year) b) At regional or catchment scale: Use of the SEMMED (Soil Erosion Model for MEDiterranean) Type of activity a) Activity carried out by the European Soil Bureau with INRA Orleans. Results available (publication EUR 19044 EN). Contribution for the EEA Topic centre on soil. b) Scenario of land use could be develop in order to assess specific erosion risk linked to particular crops (e.g. maize, orchards, bare soil...) c) Activity done by the SAI/EGEO, European Soil Bureau, Utrecht Univ. Results available. Links to other indicators This indicator is linked to pressure indicators such as specific agricultural and water resource management practices, driving force indicators such as changes in specific regimes of the agricultural policy (e.g. arable crop regime or wine sector) and response indicators such as erosion control measures undertaken or other measures to prevent land abandonment or to maintain extensive agricultural systems for example. 1.2 Soil contamination (Heavy Metal content) Definition To assess the level of heavy metal in European soils. 10
* i? ** EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Type of Indicator State Input data and Method Interpolation of Member States existing data to produce European maps at 1/1M. Type of activity Current activity by European Soil Bureau and EI/IWES. Evaluation for 4 Member States (F, De, UK, Dk) in 2000, extension to EU at short term. 1.3 Soil Organic Matter content Definition To assess the level of organic matter in European soils. Type of Indicator State Input data and Method Interpolation of Member States existing data to produce European maps at 1/1M. Type of activity Current activity by European Soil Bureau and EI/IWES related to Sewage Sludge Dective. Expected results at end of 2000. Additional collection of data in 2001 to validate results and improve representative 1.4 Water buffering capacity Definition Quantity of water that can be stored over a short period, in the agricultural soil, as well as on agricultural land where applicable (flood storage basins) and by agricultural rigation and drainage facilities. Type of Indicator State Input data Land use / Land cover: CORINE Land Cover. Detailed ground observations on a sample would be useful. Water retention potential, Water holding capacity. Some information available in the European soil database (1:1M). Digital Terrain model: GISCO data (approx. 1 km resolution) clearly insufficient. A DTM with 250m resolution is currently being assessed. Method Modelling, approach Wp = ZA P where Wp Water buffering capacity (tonnes) A area of land use (ha) i index of agricultural land use Ρ water retention potential (t/ha) Type of activity Potential application feasible at JRC at medium term (linked to flooding activity - Natural Hazards). Suitability of the currently available data at EU level is still to be assessed. The main objective would be mapping. Estimating the total amount of water that can be stored in the EU soil has little interest. A second objective is assessing the impact of land cover change on the buffering capacity.
* t EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Links to other indicators This indicator is linked to pressure indicators such as agricultural practices or changes in land use, driving force indicators such as changes in agricultural policy, and response indicators such as land conservation efforts undertaken to improve the water buffering capacity in high risk areas. 2. Landscape Indicators Historically, agriculture has shaped many European landscapes over centuries. This has given rise to unique semi-natural envonments with a rich variety of habitats and species dependent on the continuation of farming. Despite the variety of national and professional interpretations, comparisons between various landscape definitions show common elements related to: Land characteristics: natural biophysical features (topography, geomorphology); envonmental features (ecosystems, habitats), land type features (land cover, land use); Cultural features: cultural and aesthetic features and values related such as hedges, stone walls, historic monuments. Management functions 2.1 Agricultural Land use and Land Cover changes Definition Change between the share of land in agriculture and other uses Change in the share of agricultural land cover type Knowledge of the area if a land cover type has grown or decreased, but also from which type to which. Type of Indicator Pressure Input data Ground or farm surveys Satellite images. Aerial photographs (orthophotos when available) CORINE Land Cover as co-variable. Method Area Frame Surveys and /or Photo-interpretation on a sample (with ground observations when available). Type of activity Semi-operational to fully operational. If resources are available, results can be obtained in one or two years. Some feasibility tests already made, but some additional tests are desable to optimise the procedure. Additional resources requed Around 300 K Euro for purchasing data (tbd for aerial photographs). 6 person-months for image processing Approx. 3 person-years of photo-interpreter, Links to other indicators This indicator is linked to: Driving force indicators such as financial incentives of certain regimes of the agricultural policy such as arable land and variations in the profitability of various crops. Pressure indicators such as land abandonment, extensification of marginal land as well as farming, water resource management and grazing practices. Impact indicators such as biodiversity, wildlife habitats and landscape, and Response indicators such as sustainable development measures, nature conservation and protected areas measures and landscape/land-use planning. 12
* * - ** EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC 2.2 Landscape diversity from land cover data Definition Impact of agriculture and agricultural policy on landscape diversity. Type of Indicator State Input data This activity reques more detailed data on a sample that can come from ground surveys or from photo-interpretation. Availability of ground data depends upon the successful launching of an EUharmonised survey. Photo-interpretation data, necessary for comparisons with a previous date (1990 for example), can be provided by the aforementioned activity "Land cover & land use changes". CORINE Land Cover, CORINE Land Cover 2000, Image 2000. Additional satellite images and aerial photographs. Method Calibrating landscape indicators at coarse scale with indicators at fine scale for a sample. Type of activity A fst assessment of landscape diversity indicators has been carried out jointly by DG Agri, Eurostat, EEA and JRC. The findings of this assessment, presented in a joint publication ("From land cover to landscape diversity in the European Union"), indicate that CORINE Land Cover can be used to compare landscape diversity indicators for different regions or different dates (when CORINE Land Cover will next be available). However the comparability is not guaranteed due to different ways of applying the common specifications. Reliable comparisons both in space and time may reque some type of calibration with more detailed data on a sample. Feasibility to become operational in a relative short term if tests provide encouraging results. 2.3 Developing a system of landscape typologies Definition Landscape indicators from land cover data alone only catch a specific aspect of landscape. Although a holistic view of landscape is out of the scope of feasible studies, some additional aspects can be considered for homogeneous quantification at EU level: Link of landscape diversity with pedo-climatic conditions, terrain shape indices, agricultural plot size, hedges, natural or semi-natural habitats etc. Type of Indicator State Input data CORINE Land Cover, CORINE Land Cover 2000, Image 2000. Additional satellite images and aerial photographs. Ground surveys Farm survey data (Eurofarm, RICA), IACS Additional GIS information: GISCO, Natura2000 sites, etc. European Soil Map Meteorological data Digital Terrain Model Type of activity Feasibility study. Implementation possible at medium term. May be of high interest for policy-makers in DG AGRI, DG EN V, EEA, Eurostat 2.4 Analysis of Pedo-climatic constraints for the main crops in Europe Definition Agricultural areas where there is a mismatch between the agricultural ecosystem (soil and climate) capacity and the actual land use. 13
EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Input data European soil map (1/1M) Meteorological database Crop data (phenological calendar, crop requements for soil and climate conditions) Method Modelling activity to provide agricultural suitability zones, comparison with actual land use maps (possible use of satellite imagery). Type of activity Running activity by the European Soil Bureau with INRA Orleans. Expected results by end 2000. 3. Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat Indicators In the past years, forestry (e.g. afforestation programmes) and agricultural practices such as intensive drainage and crop cultivation, excessive pesticide and fertiliser application, and groundwater abstraction for rigation have had a notable influence on diversity within species (genetic), between species and of habitats/ecosystems. Biodiversity at the highest levels includes all aquatic species and habitats as well as the species and habitats of highly cultivated and managed fields, parks, forests and gardens, and the less intensively used and cultivated (semi-natural) and natural areas. Loss of biodiversity at the three aforementioned scales has been recognised as an issue of urgent importance in the EU fifth Envonmental Action Programme (EAP) and through the adoption of the Convention of Biological Diversity. Moreover, agriculture has been identified as a major impacting sector on biodiversity within the fifth EAP. This working paper focuses on the biodiversity of semi-natural agricultural habitats and uncultivated natural habitats. The maintenance of certain wildlife habitats on agricultural land, semi-natural and uncultivated natural habitats contribute towards achieving a number of envonmental objectives (including international obligations for the protection of rare or scarce wildlife habitats and associated species). Wildlife habitats can serve as a buffer zone and protect natural resources (soil erosion for ex). In addition, wildlife habitats can improve the aesthetic quality of the landscape. 3.1 Semi-natural Agricultural Habitats Definition Proportion of semi-natural habitats on agricultural land i.e. habitats not subjected to intensive farming methods and practices (e.g. restricted or non-use of fertilisers and pesticides). Methods GIS, overlay maps, aerial survey, ground survey. Input datasets Remote sensing data, vegetation maps, agricultural land-cover map, spatial coverage of agrienvonment measures financially encouraging organic farming and reduction and/or non-use of fertiliser and pesticide applications. Type of Indicator State. Links to other indicators This indicator is linked to pressure indicators such as agricultural practices (e.g. fertiliser application) or changes in crop type and land-use, driving force indicators such as changes in agricultural and envonmental policies (e.g. Nitrates Dective), and response indicators such as efforts undertaken to encourage envonmentally-friendly farming methods. 3.2 Uncultivated Natural Habitats Definition Areas of wetland, aquatic ecosystems and natural forest transformed into agricultural area. Area of agriculture re-converted into natural habitats. 14
* -fr ** EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Type of Indicator State. Methods GIS, overlay maps, aerial survey, ground survey. Input datasets Remote sensing data, wetland, freshwater and forest inventories, vegetation maps, agricultural landcover map. Links to other indicators This indicator is linked to pressure indicators such as land use in and around uncultivated natural habitats as a combined result of land management, fragmentation, drainage and regulation, to state indicators such as the existence and distribution of flora and fauna, and response indicators such as efforts undertaken to protect uncultivated natural habitats. 4. Water Quality / Use Indicators The principal sources of water pollution from agriculture are nutrients and pesticides. Excessive level of nitrates in water impas drinking water quality, while excessive concentrations of nitrate and phosphorous cause eutrophication. Contamination of water by pesticides is harmful to human health and aquatic life. Agricultural intensification has also lead to over-exploitation of both surface and groundwater resources with many consequences including loss of wildlife habitats and biodiveristy. For policy purpose, there is an interest to develop risk indicators to establish a clearer link between agriculture production, farm management practices and water pollution as well as water stress. A common methodology has yet to be agreed upon. 4.1 Risk of water contamination by nitrogen Definition Area of agricultural land potentially at risk to water contamination by nitrogen. Type of Indicator State Method PNC = PNP / EW where: PNC potential nitrate concentration (mg/1) PNP Potential nitrate present (mg/ha) EW Excess water (1/ha) (precipitation - évapotranspation by crop type) Type of activity Ongoing modelling activity carried out by El/Soil and Waste Unit. Results are available for several European catchments on spatial and temporal scales for variables such as potential nitrate present and potential concentration of nitrate. Scenario analyses include changes in crop type, climate change and application of organic waste. Input data and methodology Hydro-meteorological, soil and land-cover databases are available through site monitoring networks. A modelling approach has been developed by El/Soil and Waste Unit and is being used to provide estimates of potential nitrate present and nitrate concentration, and to carry out change in climate, crop type and manure management scenario analyses at catchment scale. Type of activity Ongoing activity as part of Framework V. DG ENV is already interested in the outcomes of this activity. 15
* it s* EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Links to other indicators This indicator is linked to pressure indicators such as agricultural practices (e.g. fertiliser application) or changes in crop type and land-use, driving force indicators such as changes in agricultural and envonmental policies (e.g. Nitrates Dective), and response indicators such as efforts undertaken to improve the technology of fertiliser application. 4.2 Risk of water contamination by pesticides Definition Area of agricultural land potentially at risk to water contamination by pesticides. Type of indicator State Method The potential concentrations of pesticides in the water flowing from a given agricultural area, both percolating water and surface run-off. PCCc = PCP / EW where: PCC Potential contaminant concentration (mg/1) c Index of the contaminant type (type of active ingredient) PCP Potential contaminant present (mg/ha) EW Excess water (1/ha) (precipitation - évapotranspation by crop type) Type of activity Activities have been carried out at field scale. Results are available for variables such as potential pesticide present and potential concentration of pesticide. Scenario analyses could include changes in crop type, climate and technology of pesticide application. Extension to catchment scale would be interesting. Input data and methodology Hydro-meteorological, soil and land-cover databases are available through site monitoring networks. A modelling approach has been developed and could be used to provide estimates of potential pesticide concentration, and to carry out changes in climate, crop type and pesticide technology scenario analyses. Type of activity The role now played by the El/Soil and Waste Unit in the FOCUS network is partly linked to this ongoing activity. Maybe of high interest to policy-makers in DG AGRI, EEA, and Eurostat. Links to other indicators This indicator is linked to pressure indicators such as agricultural practices (e.g. farm pesticide management) or changes in crop type and land-use, driving force indicators such as changes in agricultural and envonmental policies (e.g. Pesticides Dective), and response indicators such as efforts undertaken to improve the technology of farm pesticide application. 4.3 Water Use intensity Definition The proportion of water resources subjected to diversion for agricultural use; the share of rigation water in total abstractions in the context of total available water resources. Type of indicator Pressure Input data
* -& EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC Stream gauging data or when unavailable meteorological data (mean net annual precipitation i.e. mean annual precipitation - mean annual évapotranspation) plus transborder water supply to estimate surface freshwater availability. Groundwater levels or when unavailable meteorological data (mean net annual precipitation i.e. mean annual precipitation - mean annual évapotranspation) plus water in/out flows to estimate groundwater availability. Extent of freshwater abstractions and diversions (ground- and surface-water) for major sectoral uses (rigation, public water supply, industry and electricity). Some of this data is available through the site monitoring network available to the El/Soil and Waste unit. Method Modelling water balance to provide estimates on the uses of surface and groundwater resources by agriculture. Estimation of rigated area and water consumption. The modelling framework used in the ongoing activity on estimating nitrates loading and concentration can also be adapted to provide a spatially variable estimation of a refined indicator "risk of over-exploitation of groundwater resources in areas vulnerable to water stress". Scenario analyses can include changes in rigated areas, rigation management and technology and composition of agricultural production. Areas vulnerable to water stress are those where water abstractions exceed recharge amounts and water availability. Again the water balance method can be used to identify such areas. Type of activity Feasibility study. Implementation possible at medium term. This indicator can be further refined to provide an estimation of risk of over-exploitation of groundwater resources in areas vulnerable to water stress. Links to other indictors This indicator is linked to driving force indicators such as profitability of specific crops, pressure indicators such as rigation management and response indicators such as enhancing efficiency of rigation systems, community involvement in water management, and cost recovery of water supply to agriculture. This indicator is linked to the Draft Framework Dective on Water admitting two derogations for the "full cost recovery " principle, among which one concern climatic and geographic issue demonstrating that water provision is more expensive than normal. 4.4 Risk of surface water eutrophication in areas vulnerable to nutrient contamination from agriculture Definition Lakes and rivers subject to eutrophication in areas vulnerable to nutrient contamination from agriculture (i.e. lake and river areas for which there is a risk of eutrophication). Type of indicator State Input data Water quality variables such as nutrient, and chlorophyll concentrations, water temperature, geometry of water body and flow and hydraulic regime. Data are currently available for some major European lakes. The El/Water Unit has amassed the data in the context of competitive projects as well as thd party work. Type of activity Currently the El/Water unit is developing criteria for identifying eutrophied freshwater bodies, including lakes and rivers. DG ENV is particularly interested in this activity. Method 17
* * ** EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE GENERAL JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE Cluster AGRI-ENVIRONMENT A cluster of scientific and technical expertise at JRC 1. Developing thresholds (reference levels) for several water quality variables that together establish criteria for identifying eutrophied surface freshwater bodies in areas vulnerable to nutrient contamination from agriculture. 2. Carrying out scenario analyses using the modelling approach to look at impact of changes in nutrient application on nutrient loading into surface water bodies. 3. Combining steps (1) and (2) to develop risk assessments of surface waterbodies in areas vulnerable to nutrient contamination from agriculture. Links to other indicators This indicator is linked to pressure indicators such as nutrient (fertiliser and manure) applications and intensive fanning systems, response indicators such as efforts undertaken to improve the technology of fertiliser/manure application, and driving force indicators such as changes in agricultural and envonmental policies (e.g. Nitrates Dective). 5. A and Climate Change Indicators 5.1 Emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG) from agricultural soils Definition Characterisation of spatial and temporal distribution of GHG emissions from agricultural ecosystems (focus on N0 2 and CH 4 ). Type of indicator State Method Integration of flux measurements over different spatial scales (site, aggregation at landscape and upscaling to regions). Calculation of the impacts on the overall contribution to GWP of the agricultural sector under selected land-use scenarios. 6. Impact of Agri-Envonmental measures Indicators 6.1 Spatial comparison of EU Agri-envonmental expenditures and Agri-envonmental risks assessments. Definition To identify areas where there is a mismatch between an agri-envonmental risk (estimated by modelling techniques or extrapolated from measurements) and the subsidies actually paid (or not paid). Input data finances spent on agri-envonmental (AE) measures (by theme) at administrative unit level and type of AE measure. Agri-envonmental risk assessment maps (by theme) obtained by integrated GIS and modelling techniques. Method Spatial comparison using GIS based solutions to analyse the matching between the geographic target of the subsidies and zones at risk for specific agri-envonmental issues.
The mission of the JRC s to provide customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national. ' EUROPEAN COMMISSION JOINT RESEARCH CENTRE
m OJ Π