Authors: Hass, Annika;

Biodiversity in agro-ecosystems is decreasing rapidly in Europe despite the implementation of agri-environment schemes (AES). AES at landscape scale have been suggested to be more effective than measures by individual farmers. However, effects of landscape scale AES on ecological, social and economic outcomes remain poorly understood including how different AES in the landscape affect pollinators.
We identified potential synergies of implementing cooperative AES at the landscape scale between ecological, social and economic aspects. The cooperation of farmers and other stakeholders could lead to increased ecological effectiveness and ecosystem services, but also higher social capital. Moreover, cooperation might result in decreased transaction costs and improved market opportunities for farmers.
First results of a field study showed interactive effects of two AES at the landscape scale on wild bee abundance: Increasing area of annual flower fields only had a positive effect, if the proportion of organic farming was low. However, the effectiveness of organic farming depended on the availability of semi-natural habitats providing nesting habitats.
AES implementation at the landscape scale is a promising tool with potential to overcome the currently low effectiveness of AES in halting biodiversity decline. Nevertheless, key questions remain unsolved and interactions between different AES should be considered.