Olives ecosystems and biodiversity - considerations for action in the EU IOC Madrid 18/11/09 Guy Beaufoy EFNCP 1
How important are olive ecosystems for European biodiversity? The EU aims to stop biodiversity decline by 2010: In Mediterranean regions, olives cover a significant proportion of the land area. The management of olive groves has an important influence on biodiversity, both positive and negative. Natura 2000: Olive groves are NOT a habitat type of European importance (Habitats Directive) and... NOT a unique habitat for species of European importance (Habitats and Birds Directives). But ARE a habitat used by several species of European importance, including birds, mammals and reptiles (both Directives). 2
How The EU important is committed are olives to halting for EU biodiversity? biodiversity decline but is failing to do so In the EU Biodiversity Action Plan, key actions for agriculture are: maintaining positive functions and reducing negative impacts. This can be applied to olive production as much as any farming sector. Are we doing enough to address biodiversity conservation in the olive sector? 3
Key to the olive ecosystem and its biodiversity value Semi-natural elements: Large, old trees - invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles, birds Grass understorey flora, invertebrates Stone walls and terraces reptiles Patches of semi-natural or natural vegetation on or off the farm essential refuges for flora and fauna In combination, these elements create great structural diversity and a rich ecosystem. Local studies illustrate this, but a European overview of the biodiversity value of the olive ecosystem is lacking. 4
How important are olives for EU biodiversity? Management practices are also critical to the biodiversity of the ecosystem Pest control Which products, when? Integrated? Bio? Irrigation and fertilisation How much? Understorey control Herbicides (which)? Mown or grazed? When? Walls Maintained? Abandoned? Cleared? Other vegetation Burned? Grazed? Cleared? 5
In practice, olive ecosystems are extremely varied Traditional low-intensity types Minimal use of agro-chemicals Herbaceous understorey ploughed occasionally or grazed Old trees Ecological infrastructure of stone walls, patches of vegetation, etc Consequently high biodiversity value 6
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Intensified traditional types Intensified traditional types: Systematic use of pesticides, including widespectrum insecticides. Understorey controlled more intensively through repeated cultivation and/or herbicides. Old trees may be replaced. Ecological infrastructure may be reduced or removed. Tendency towards irrigation. Reduced biodiversity value - potential to improve. 12
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Modern intensive types Modern intensive types: Systematic use of biocides, but with tendency to Integrated approach. Intensive control of understorey, but with tendency to more cover. Younger, smaller trees. No or limited ecological infrastructure. Irrigated. Very low biodiversity value potential to improve 18
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Olive ecosystems range from the highly natural to the highly artificial Strategies should reflect this reality 21
Potentially positive ecosystem services Maintenance of a wide range of flora and fauna Landscapes of visual and cultural value Landscapes resistent to wildfires Soil conservation Effective watershed management 22
Potentially negative ecosystem impacts resulting from intensification and abandonment Loss of a wide range of flora and fauna Loss of landscape and cultural value Increased risk of wildfires Soil and biocide run-off to water bodies Excessive water demand leading to aquifer depletion and/or dam construction 23
High Nature Value (HNV) farming a new EU priority for halting biodiversity loss HNV farming systems are those that maintain a high level of biodiversity. The European Environmental Agency distinguishes between two types of HNV farming: 1) Low-intensity livestock systems on seminatural vegetation. 2) Low-intensity crop systems in a mosaic, with high presence of semi-natural elements. 24
High Nature Value (HNV) farming a new EU priority for halting biodiversity loss Maintaining High Nature Value (HNV) farming is a priority action for: EU Biodiversity Strategy CAP rural development programmes. To meet these policy objectives for HNV olive groves, governments should: Identify the HNV olive groves and farming systems in their territory. Put measures in place to support maintenance of these systems and their values Monitor tendencies in HNV olive groves and systems. 25
Conclusions Intensive olive groves can and should be improved for biodiversity, by adding ecological infrastrucure. For biodiversity, a higher priority is to maintain the traditional olive ecosystem with its structural diversity and low-intensity management, where this survives. This type of olive grove delivers ecosystem services that are valued by society. But it is also inherently less competitive than intensified systems, so needs more economic support. Policy-relevant studies are needed in all EU countries as a basis for identifying, maintaining and monitoring these High Nature Value olive groves. 26