Quality and management of contract areas of special agri-environmental support in Finland: traditional biotopes and other enhancement of biodiversity, 2004 - 2011

The data originates from national monitoring on the effects of the Finnish agri-environment support scheme (MYTVAS). A field study concerning special support contracts of traditional rural biotopes and other enhancement of biodiversity was performed in three regions: Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa and Pohjois-Pohjanmaa. In 2004, altogether 168 contracts of traditonal rural biotopes and 91 contracts of other enhancement of biodiversity were studied. In 2010 - 2011, the study was repeated in one fourth of the contract sites been studied in 2004. In some sites, the similar study has been done earlier in 1998. Several variables implicating biodiversity values and management quality were evaluated for the hole contract area of the farm, and separately, for different environmental types. Additional information on the study sites was collected through farmer questionnaire.

The methods are described in the following publication:
Schulman, A., Heliölä, J. & Pykälä J. 2006. Maatalouden ympäristötuen sopimusalueiden laatu ja hoidon toteutuminen (Quality and management of contract areas of the agri-environmental support - the special support for management of traditional rural biotopes and for enhancement of biodiversity, in Finnish). Suomen ympäristö 3/2006. Suomen ympäristökeskus. 87 p.