| Summary: | 33 projects and/or farms in Germany with 82 parcels comprising different cropping systems (e.g. biomass crops, extensive cultures, mixed crops, protein crops) have been analysed in 2012 with regard to their suitability as Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) under the EU’s reformed Common Agricultural Policy. The ecological suitability has been assessed on the basis of seven criteria (diversity of sown species, diversity of wild species, cropping structure, significance for pollinators, significance for farmland birds and game, soil and water synergy effects, climate mitigation impact). Several crops showed a high ecological suitability, and the key criteria have been identified: no application of pesticides and fertilisers, no soil cultivation and no harvest between 15th April and 1st August, and no ploughing before 30th November. A wise implementation of Ecological Focus Areas can deliver high conservation benefits, while even bearing interesting economic perspectives for farmers.
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