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Spatial modelling for the development of agri-environmental programs

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Abstract

Spatial modelling of environmental indicators has been well established in landscape ecology and in nature conservation on regional and national scales over the recent past. Yet, using spatial information as a basis for the coordination of environmental measures on a trans-national European level reveals several shortcomings and hindrances, ranging from data quality issues and methodological aspects to discussions on how to define ecological indicators across Europe. This paper analyzes the potential of spatial modelling for the development and implementation of agri-environmental measures as part of rural development policies, discussing critical aspects of spatial environmental modelling as well as chances, trends and demands.

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Notes

  1. Agri-Environmental Measures for Biodiversity Assessment and Conservation (AEMBAC), EU 5th Framework Program 1998–2002 (Contract Ref. QLRT-1999-31666).

  2. INfrastructure for SPatial InfoRmation in Europe, URL: http://www.ec-gis.org/inspire/, 2008-04-03.

  3. Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2007 establishing an Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE), Official Journal of the European Union L 108/1.

Abbreviations

AEM:

Agri-environmental measures

AEP:

Agri-environmental programs

CIR:

Colour infrared

DPSIR:

Driving forces, pressures, states, impacts and responses

EIS:

Environmental Information System

EMR:

Environmental minimum requirements

GIS:

Geographic Information Systems

INSPIRE:

Infrastructure for spatial information in Europe

JRC:

Joint Research Centre

OECD:

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development

RUSLE:

Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation

USLE:

Universal Soil Loss Equation

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physical Geography and Environmental Research, Saarland University, Postfach 15 11 50, 66041, Saarbrücken, Germany

    Barbara Neumann

  2. Saxon Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Leipzig, Working Group ‘Natural Balance and Regional Characteristics’, Neustädter Markt 19, 01097, Dresden, Germany

    Michael Lütz

  3. Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon, Research Station ART, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046, Zurich, Switzerland

    Beatrice Schüpbach & Erich Szerencsits

Authors
  1. Barbara Neumann
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  2. Michael Lütz
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  3. Beatrice Schüpbach
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  4. Erich Szerencsits
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Correspondence to Barbara Neumann.

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Neumann, B., Lütz, M., Schüpbach, B. et al. Spatial modelling for the development of agri-environmental programs. Reg Environ Change 9, 197–207 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-009-0090-z

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