Field margin measures from a farmers’ perspective

Abstract: Field margins can provide benefits for ecosystems in intensive arable areas. They are a part of agri-environmental programs aimed at preserving or restoring habitats for specific animals and plants, or for increasing biodiversity in general. Despite these advantages, intensive agricultural regions have the lowest share of implemented agri-environmental programs. The key to achieving biodiversity goals is to increase the participation of farmers in these programs.
In order to analyse the factors favouring the implementation of environmentally friendly field margins, 653 farmers in different parts of Germany were interviewed. They were asked to indicate the key aspects that need to be addressed in the design of their ideal field margin and their attitudes towards agri-environmental programs. Positive environmentally friendly attitudes of farmers lead to a more environmentally conscious management of field margins, where many individual measures of cultivation are planned less intensively.