LOW-INTENSITY FARMING SYSTEMS IN THE CONSERVATION OF THE COUNTRYSIDE

1. The historical role of agriculture in creating semi-natural vegetat ion is still not fully appreciated by many ecologists, conservationist s, policy-makers or the general public. Nor is the fact that for many European landscapes and biotopes of high nature conservation value, th e only practicable, socially acceptable and sustainable management inv olves the continuation of low-intensity farming. Consequently, too muc h emphasis is placed on attempting to ameliorate damaging effects of a gricultural management rather than supporting ecologically sustainable low-intensity farming practices. 2. More than 50% of Europe's most hi ghly valued biotopes occur on low-intensity farmland. However, most of this farmland has no environmental policy directly affecting it; most management decisions are taken by farm businesses and determined prim arily by European and national agricultural officials. As a result, th ere continues to be intensification or abandonment of traditional prac tices, changes which are equally damaging to the nature conservation v alue. 3. However, the nature conservation importance of low-intensity farming systems is gradually being recognized. Reforms and reviews of agriculture policy are providing a variety of potential opportunities for maintaining such systems. Unfortunately, initiating change through policy is a slow process. There is therefore also a pressing need to look for other opportunities to maintain surviving systems and, where possible, to reinstate those recently lost. 4. Although these systems may be considered low-intensity in terms of chemical inputs and produc tivity, they are usually high-intensity in terms of human labour. Ther efore, the processes that make the low-intensity farmed countryside bi ologically rich and diverse must be understood, but at the same time m echanisms to make life easier and more rewarding for the people who wo rk such farmland must be found. 5. Ecologists and conservationists sho uld think less of 'remnants of habitat being left amongst farmland' an d more of a farmland biotope for which optimum management practices ne ed to be developed. At the same time the current emphasis on site-base d conservation should be complemented by strategic initiatives that pr omote wise management of the wider countryside.