Reviewing the coverage of the current agri-environment scheme

To help reverse the widespread declines in biodiversity seen over the last century, a range of agri-environmental schemes have been run in Scotland; currently efforts fall under the Agri-Environment and Climate Scheme (AECS) that forms part of the Scottish Rural Development Plan. However, there is always the potential to improve and widen the scope of such schemes to ensure they target the most appropriate habitats and species.

As part of this process of improving AECS, a desk study was undertaken to identify management options already employed by other countries that could easily be adopted. For instance, more options to directly benefit pollinators would be easy to integrate into the current or future schemes. Alongside this an analysis of coverage of AECS in assisting in the recovery of priority species was undertaken using the Scottish Biodiversity List as a starting point. This showed that birds and vascular plants were well represented in species covered by AECS, but that mosses, lichens and insects such as moths were poorly represented.

A workshop with key stakeholders was held to identify the most important management options that could be adopted. The workshop report also covers suggested changes to the scheme structure and ne research to benefit future schemes.

The work has been summarised in the form of a policy brief.

Contact: Robin Pakeman