About THis PROJECT
Project Title: High Nature Value Farmland and Forestry Systems for Biodiversity (HNV_FarmForBio)
Coordinator: Dr. James Moran
Lead Institution: Galway Mayo Institute of Technology
Collaborating Institutions: Teagasc Johnstown Castle; University College Dublin
Project Commencement: December 2019
PROJECT Description
The HNV FarmForBio Project will identify, characterise and map the national extent of HNV farmland and forest areas. We will develop methodologies to assess their quality in terms of their biodiversity value and their potential contribution to a range of vital ecosystem service e.g. carbon storage and water quality. HNV FarmForBio will also investigate incentives for the maintenance and enhancement of these areas. The finding of this project will help design a range of agri-environment, climate and forestry measures in future land use strategies to assist improved targeting of climate and biodiversity actions in Ireland.
HNV Farmland
High Nature Value farmland supports the presence of habitats and species of European, and/or national, and/or regional conservation concern whose survival depends on the maintenance or continued existence of the feature.
HNV Forests
High Nature Value forests are all natural forests and those semi-natural forests in Europe where the management (historical or present) supports a high diversity of native species and habitats, and/or those forests which support the presence of species of European, and/or national, and/or regional conservation concern.
The objectives of this Project include:
1
Ensuring effective dissemination of project findings to range of identified stakeholders at local, national and EU level
2
Create an impact beyond the lifetime of the project by sharing knowledge across the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems
3
Raise awareness of the value and role of HNV systems in the agriculture and forest sector
4
Ensure effective internal and external communications during project initiation, implementation and reporting phases
STAKEHOLDERS
The findings and outputs of this project will be of relevance to a wide range of stakeholders including farmers, foresters, landowners, advisors (agricultural and forestry), NGOs (environment and agriculture), policy makers and researchers.
Key stakeholders include: national collaboration with Irish researchers, policy makers, industry, advisors and primary producers (Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation System), international collaboration and dissemination via conferences and workshops, as well as raising awareness and dissemination of results to the general public.
Supporting Messages
1
HNVFF areas are headline indicators in the Rural Development Programme, and EU legislation requires that High Nature Value farmland and forests are identified, monitored and targeted for agri-environment payments.
2
The HNV_FarmForBio project will answer questions in relation to the management of our HNV farming and forest areas, including understanding the existing state and establishing systems for monitoring change. The outcomes of the project will not only inform policy, but also benefit broader sections of our society and economy.
3
The identification of HNV farmland and forests opens up potential for HNV financial incentives & potential to get involved with incentivised schemes, tasks (e.g. European Innovation Partnership projects).
4
The differentiation of HNVFF areas can lead to higher financial incentivisation for Public Goods
WORKSHOPS
Knowledge sharing workshops and demonstration site visits
These events will serve as a multi-actor forum for discussion, knowledge sharing between task stakeholders and the task team. Three workshops will coincide with key project milestones and will serve to enhance understanding and the knowledge base of all participants of the role, functions, monitoring and assessment of HNV farmland and forestry areas.
Workshops may include virtual group sessions via digital platforms in light of the COVID-19 related restrictions.
Conference and seminar presentations
The project team will aim to present at a range of national and international conferences and seminars.
The project will concentrate on conference and seminars presentations at events focused on the themes of sustainable agriculture and forestry, multifunctional production systems and rural development.
In The Media
The results of this project will be published in a number of peer reviewed publications and will serve as an important external review and validation of the project task methodologies, results and conclusions. This is also an important tool for dissemination to a wider scientific audience.
Scientific communications (e.g. peer-reviewed articles, working papers and conference papers) will be available through open access publications where possible.
Dissemination Log
The Dissemination Log is a specific tool for monitoring the project team’s dissemination activities during the whole project.
Acknowledgements
Food Institutional Research Measure (FIRM) is the main programme for funding food research in research performing organisations in Ireland including Teagasc and the Higher Education Institutes (HEI) thereby contributing to building and maintaining a research capability that helps underpin a vibrant, competitive and innovative food manufacturing industry.
Research Stimulus Fund (RSF) aims to facilitate research that fills gaps in the mainstream Teagasc programme, supports sustainable and competitive agricultural production practices and policies, and contributes to building and maintaining a knowledge economy and research capability in the agriculture sector.
Programme of Competitive Forestry Research for Development (CoFoRD) aims to develop a scientific foundation and support for a sustainable, competitive, market orientated and innovative forest industry.
