How the FarmBioNet project is helping protect farmland biodiversity in Europe
Biodiversity is the variety of all life on Earth – and it underpins our daily lives.
It provides clean air, fresh water, healthy soils, and pollination. It also helps tackle climate change, supports adaptation, and reduces the impact of natural hazards. Yet despite these benefits, biodiversity is declining at an alarming rate. It is estimated that one million species out of a total of eight million are threatened with extinction.
Changes in land use such as deforestation, intensive monoculture, and urbanisation, alongside direct exploitation of natural resources, climate change, pollution, and invasive alien species, are among the main drivers of biodiversity loss.
As farmland is the dominant land use across Europe, the way agricultural landscapes are managed plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation. Farmers and foresters therefore have an important opportunity to help halt biodiversity loss.
What Are Biodiversity-Friendly Farming (BFF) Practices?
Biodiversity-Friendly Farming (BFF) practices support nature by creating more diverse and connected agricultural landscapes.
These practices protect and enhance farmland biodiversity, contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, and help maintain healthy ecosystems while continuing to produce food, feed, fibre, and fuel. They can be adapted across different farming and forestry systems throughout Europe.
Examples include:
– Managing native hay meadows
– Maintaining native flowering hedgerows and field margins
– Planting native trees and hedgerows
– Reducing pesticide use
– Creating ponds
– Establishing nesting sites for solitary bees
Turning Knowledge Into Action
Horizon Europe project FarmBioNet will build a clearer understanding of biodiversity-friendly farming by combining survey data from project partners with complementary research approaches.
Working with researchers, farmers and practitioners, the project will help validate best practices and identify key knowledge gaps. A cross-cultural survey will also explore the needs of farmers and advisors, as well as the factors shaping adoption of BFF practices.
Connecting Farmers, Foresters and Innovation
To strengthen collaboration, FarmBioNet will establish 12 Farming and Biodiversity National Networks (FaB NNs) and an EU-wide thematic network.
These networks will bring together farmers, foresters, researchers, advisors, and other Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS) actors.
Through workshops, farm visits, and collaborative activities, the project will support the adoption and exchange of biodiversity-friendly practices. Outreach and education will help ensure that knowledge reaches the ground – where it can make a difference.
FarmBioNet will also analyse existing biodiversity-friendly farming practices, incentives, and policies to identify barriers and potential solutions for biodiversity protection and climate adaptation.
Practical Tools for Better Decisions
Two digital tools will be developed within FarmBioNet to support decision-making:
Navigator: An online platform showcasing biodiversity-friendly farming incentives, helping farmers identify relevant funding opportunities in their region.
Calculator: A cost – benefit tool enabling farmers to assess the economic and environmental implications of different BFF practices.
Sharing Knowledge for Lasting Impact: At its core, FarmBioNet is about turning knowledge into practice.
Through workshops, training materials, and digital tools, the project will support knowledge exchange across diverse audiences. The aim is to strengthen biodiversity conservation while contributing to climate resilience across Europe.
Spreading the Message
Knowledge-sharing is at the heart of FarmBioNet.
Through workshops, training materials, and digital tools, the project will facilitate the exchange of information and resources among diverse audiences. By empowering communities and supporting practical action, FarmBioNet aims to contribute to biodiversity conservation and strengthen climate resilience across Europe.