GSS EU Science Funding Gateway

Grasslands as one of the most species-rich habitats in Europe, are among the habitats with the highest share of assessments showing a bad conservation status (49 %), accompanied by deteriorating soil properties. Farmland birds and insects, particularly pollinators, and soil microbiota are key indicators of the health of agroecosystems and are vital for agricultural production and food security.  These include, amongst others buffer strips, rotational or non-rotational fallow land, hedges, non-productive trees, terrace walls, and ponds. Such measures help enhance carbon sequestration, prevent soil erosion and depletion, filter air and water, and support climate adaptation.

Projects should:

• Map carbon and nature rich areas and analyse the effects of agricultural practices on biodiversity;
• Monitor the diversity and area of habitats for farmland-dependent species, in space and time;
• Develop and test effective agri-environment measures as well as indicators and monitoring tools to determine the effectiveness of conservation measures for species and their habitats in the agricultural context;
• Develop and demonstrate practical examples of agro-forestry systems and how these can be promoted through rural development programmes.

Activities should be carried across a range of climatic/biogeographical regions in the EU and Associated Countries. The project needs to take account of already existing European species action plans, such as the Turtle Dove action plan and the EU Wet Grassland Wader action plan. Furthermore, cooperation is expected with the Biodiversity Partnership and other relevant Horizon Europe missions and partnerships.