cultivar_22_Final_EN

The importance of agriculture in preserving biodiversity 25 levels of biodiversity (Beaufoy et al . 1994): a) a high richness of species and/or habitats; b) species with conservation status according to EU legislation; or c) both (Andersen et al . 2003; Lomba et al . 2014). In fact, several European species and habitats of high nature and/or conservation value are dependent on the continuation of specific extensive farming man- agement practices characteristic of traditional farm- ing systems (Lomba et al . 2014; Lomba et al . 2017). Given the multifunctional nature of traditional rural areas, HNVf are often characterised by high hetero- geneity, reflected in different uses of the land within a farming matrix, including a high proportion of natural and semi-natural veg- etation (Andersen et al . 2003; Lomba et al. 2014). In the European context, it is estimated that around 30% of Utilised Agricultural Area (UAA) is HNVf (Lomba et al ., 2014). Although they share numerous characteristics, farming systems that support these areas reflect the local climate and environmental conditions of the different socio-ecological contexts, which, in turn, leads to the diversity of European landscapes: from cattle grazing on natural pas- tures in northwest Ireland to the natural vegetation (pastures and/or small oak woods) in the land- scape mosaics of northwest Portugal embedded in a diversified farming matrix. These differences have been used as a way of classifying and valoris- ing these rural areas according to the nature value they support. According to Andersen et al . (2003; see Lomba et al . 2014 for a review), bearing in mind the prevailing nature values and the differences in extensive farming practices in these areas, three types of HNVf, designated as types 1, 2 and 3, can therefore be identified. Type 1 HNVf is characterised by more extensive farming practices and the dom- inance of natural and/or semi-natural vegetation and frequently occurring habitats listed in the Habi- tats Directive (Directive 92/43/EEC). This is the most common type of farmland in the EU and considered a priority in the context of the conservation of the agrobiodiversity. Type 2 includes landscape mosaics where plots of semi-natural vegetation and a high density of linear elements, such as vegetation strips and small woods, are embedded within a farming matrix. Finally, type 3 HNVf relates to farming areas that ensure an adequate habitat for one or more rare or conservation status species in the European or worldwide context, even in cases where practices are recognisably more intensive. Overall, HNVf are areas where humankind (farmers and rural community members) and nature evolved together through time. Therefore, in addition to the acknowledged contribution of these areas in maintaining agrobiodiversity, full recog- nition has been given to the role they can play in reach- ing EU goals on environmen- tal sustainability and also food security and human well-being. Furthermore, the multifunctional character of these areas has been asso- ciated with the provision of multiple ecosystem services, in addition to support for biodiversity, namely as relates to production (food, fibre, firewood), reg- ulation (climate regulation, erosion) and cultural (aesthetic, symbolic capital) production. In this context, the FARSYD project – Farming systems as tool to support policies for effective conservation and management of high nature value farmlands –devel- oped as a partnership between CIBIO, University of Porto, and the School of Agriculture (ISA), Univer- sity of Lisbon, aimed to raise awareness about the relationship between farming systems and levels of biodiversity and the ecosystem services they pro- vide. The project was developed in Portugal in the Peneda-Gerês National Park and the Castro Verde Special Protection Zone (ZPE de Castro Verde). Its conceptual and methodological approach was also implememented in other HNVf in Spain, Germany and Scotland. In general, the aim was to assess how farming systems can be used as an instrument HNVf are areas where humankind (farmers and rural community members) and nature evolved together through time. Therefore, in addition to the acknowledged contribution of these areas in maintaining agrobiodiversity, full recognition has been given to the role they can play in reaching EU goals on environmental sustainability and also food security and human well-being.