Flower strips

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Description

Flower strips are widely used throughout Europe but come in many different forms and their effects on biodiversity vary strongly. Flower strips, but not hedgerows, enhanced pest control services in adjacent fields by 16% on average. However, effects on crop pollination and yield were more variable.

Type of NBS

NBS for sustainability and multifunctionality of managed ecosystems

Level

Agricultural landscape management

Approaches
  • 1 Ecosystem based management
  • 2 Sustainable agriculture/agro-forestry/aquaculture

Challenges


Key Performance Indicators
Recommended Indicators Units Class
9.1 S tructural and functional connectivity of urban green and blue spaces
9.1.1 Structural connectivity of green space various Outcome-based indicators
9.1.2 Functional connectivity of urban green and blue spaces various Outcome-based indicators
9.2 N umber of native species Number Outcome-based indicators
9.3 Number of non-native species introduced
9.3.1 Number of invasive alien species Number Outcome-based indicators
9.4 Species diversity within defined area Number Outcome-based indicators
9.5 Number of species within defined area Number Outcome-based indicators

Additional Indicators Units Class
10.1 Proportion of natural areas within a defined urban zone % Outcome-based indicators
10.2 Area of habitats restored ha Outcome-based indicators
10.3 Shannon Diversity Index of habitats
10.3.1 Abundance of ecotones/Shannon diversity unitless Outcome-based indicators
10.4 Length of ecotones km Outcome-based indicators
10.5 Publicly accessible green space connectivity % Outcome-based indicators
10.6 Ecological integrity % Outcome-based indicators
10.7 Proportion of protected areas
10.7.1 Sites of community importance and special protection areas ha Outcome-based indicators
10.7.2 Article17 habitat richness No./grid Outcome-based indicators
10.8 Number of veteran trees per unit area No./ha Outcome-based indicators
10.9 Quantity of dead wood per unit area m3/ha Outcome-based indicators
10.10 Forest habitat fragmentation – Effective Mesh Density 1/ha Outcome-based indicators
10.11 Extent of habitat for native pollinator species ha Outcome-based indicators
10.12 Polluted soils ha Outcome-based indicators
10.13 Soil food web stability unitless Outcome-based indicators
10.14 Modelled C and N cycling in soil t/ha/y Outcome-based indicators
10.15 Equivalent used soil m3 Outcome-based indicators
10.16 Number of conservation priority species No. Outcome-based indicators
10.17 Article17 species richness No./grid Outcome-based indicators
10.18 Number of native bird species within a defied urban area No./ha Outcome-based indicators
10.19 Species diversity – general
10.19.1 City Biodiversity Index % Outcome-based indicators
10.20 Bird species richness No./grid Outcome-based indicators
10.21 Animal species potentially at risk No./ha Outcome-based indicators
10.22 Typical vegetation species cover % Outcome-based indicators
10.23 Pollinator species presence No./ha or % Outcome-based indicators
10.24 Biodiversity Conservation various Outcome-based indicators
10.25 Metagenomic mapping
10.25.1 Abundance of functional groups Number (unitless) Outcome-based indicators
10.25.2 Diversity of functional groups (plants) Number (unitless) Outcome-based indicators
10.25.3 Diversity of functional groups (animals) Number (unitless) Outcome-based indicators
Sustainable Development Goals

Zero hunger. End hunger, achieve security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


Target 2.3

By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.

Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size

Target 2.4

By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

Target 2.a

Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries

Indicator 2.a.1: The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures

Clean water and sanitation. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all


Target 6.1

By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services

Target 6.3

By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality

Target 6.4

By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity

Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time

Indicator 6.4.2: Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources

Target 6.5

By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

Indicator 6.5.1: Degree of integrated water resources management implementation (0-100)

Indicator 6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation

Target 6.6

By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes

Indicator 6.6.1: Change in the extent of water-related ecosystems over time

Target 6.a

By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies

Indicator 6.a.1: Amount of water- and sanitation-related official development assistance that is part of a government-coordinated spending plan

Target 6.b

Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

Indicator 6.b.1: Proportion of local administrative units with established and operational policies and procedures for participation of local communities in water and sanitation management

Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts


Target 13.3

Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into primary, secondary and tertiary curricula

Indicator 13.3.2: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and development actions

Target 13.b

Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities 

Indicator 13.b.1: Number of least developed countries and small island developing States that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

Life below water. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, sea and marine resources for sustainable development


Target 14.c

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want

Indicator 14.c.1: Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

Life on land. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


Target 15.2

By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management

Target 15.3

By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

Target 15.5

Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

Target 15.9

By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

Target 15.a

Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

Indicator 15.a.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Target 15.b

Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

Indicator 15.b.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Key Performance Indicators
Recommended Indicators Units Class
11.1 Number of days during which air quality parameters exceed threshold values No. of days Outcome-based indicators
11.2 Proportion of population exposed to ambient air pollution % Outcome-based indicators
11.3 European Air Quality Index Good, Fair, Moderate, Poor, Very Poor, Extremely Poor Outcome-based indicators

Additional Indicators Units Class
12.1 Removal of atmospheric pollutants by vegetation kg/ha/y Outcome-based indicators
12.2 Total particulate matter removed by NBS vegetation kg/ha/y Outcome-based indicators
12.3 Modelled O3, SO2, NO2 and Co capture/removal by vegetation
12.3.1 Total Leaf Area m2 Outcome-based indicators
12.4 NOX and PM in gaseous releases PM- µg/m3 NOx - ppb Outcome-based indicators
12.5 Ambient pollen concentration Number Outcome-based indicators
12.6 Trends in NOx and SOx emissions µg/m3 Outcome-based indicators
12.7 Concentration of particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2 and O3 in ambient air µg/m3 Outcome-based indicators
12.8 Concentration of particulate matter at respiration height along roads µg/m3 Outcome-based indicators
12.9 Mean level of exposure to ambient air pollution µg/m3 Outcome-based indicators
12.10 Morbidity, Mortality and Years of Life Lost due to poor air quality No./y, No./y and y Outcome-based indicators
12.11 Avoided costs for air pollution control measures Outcome-based indicators
Sustainable Development Goals

Zero hunger. End hunger, achieve security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture


Target 2.3

By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists and fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.

Indicator 2.3.1: Volume of production per labour unit by classes of farming/pastoral/forestry enterprise size

Target 2.4

By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality

Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

Target 2.a

Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries

Indicator 2.a.1: The agriculture orientation index for government expenditures

Climate Action. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts


Target 13.3

Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Indicator 13.3.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into primary, secondary and tertiary curricula

Indicator 13.3.2: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and development actions

Target 13.b

Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities 

Indicator 13.b.1: Number of least developed countries and small island developing States that are receiving specialized support, and amount of support, including finance, technology and capacity-building, for mechanisms for raising capacities for effective climate change-related planning and management, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

Life on land. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainable manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss


Target 15.2

By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally

Indicator 15.2.1: Progress towards sustainable forest management

Target 15.3

By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

Indicator 15.3.1: Proportion of land that is degraded over total land area

Target 15.5

Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

Target 15.9

By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

Indicator 15.9.1: Progress towards national targets established in accordance with Aichi Biodiversity Target 2 of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

Target 15.a

Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems

Indicator 15.a.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Target 15.b

Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation

Indicator 15.b.1: Official development assistance and public expenditure on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems

Ecosystem Services


Ecosystem Service Categories
  • Food, crops, wild foods and spices
  • Water
Ecosystem Service Categories
  • Carbon sequestration
  • Maintaining populations and habitats
  • Pest and disease control
  • Nutrient dispersal & cycling
Ecosystem Service Categories
  • Recreation
  • Intellectual and aesthetic appreciation

Real case example of applied NBS

There are no available real case examples at the moment