Data from: Have Welsh agri-environment schemes delivered for focal species? Results from a comprehensive monitoring programme

1. Agri-environment schemes (AES) have been criticised for being
inadequately monitored and for not delivering the expected benefits to
nature. Consequently, the Welsh Government funded a comprehensive
programme of monitoring of Welsh AES, which took place between 2009 and
2012. The AES assessment focused primarily on Tir Gofal (which translates
as “Land in Care”), but also included the Organic Farming Scheme, and
monitoring focused on a range of taxa of conservation importance: arable
plants, grassland fungi, bats (six species), butterflies (three species),
birds (five species), water vole and brown hare. 2. Field work was
undertaken to survey these taxa on matched farms and fields within and
outside of AES. Response variables consisted of spatial trends of
abundance, occurrence and species richness, which were modelled against
AES status. Existing data were also available for two bird species. 3. Few
differences were observed between AES and non-AES farms and fields. Those
that were observed were for species that use arable habitats (which are
uncommon in Wales): arable plants, yellowhammers, and brown hares. The
lack of differences in non-arable habitats may reflect the smaller
contrast between AES and non-AES management in these habitats. It may also
reflect the original condition of habitat entered into AES prescriptions,
as most non-arable prescriptions were defined by mandatory management of
existing habitats, rather than optional habitat creation or restoration,
which is the case for most arable prescriptions. 4. Despite the lack of
differences observed, AES may help to maintain populations of species,
making it more likely that they will persist in the landscape. There is
evidence, from this monitoring programme and elsewhere, that AES can
increase the populations of species, when well targeted and implemented.
5. Policy applications. The results indicate that Welsh AES have been only
partly successful in achieving their stated aim of “maintaining and
enhancing species abundance.” These results can be used to improve AES
design and management, both in Wales and more widely, by identifying and
promoting effective management interventions, and by identifying
ineffective management interventions and seeking alternatives. In
particular, we highlight the importance of comprehensive monitoring of
AES, and we recommend that this be combined with specific targets
regarding the expected outcomes of AES management. This is essential to
determine whether AES are providing value for money.28-Nov-2018