Arable Stewardship: Impact of the Pilot Scheme on Grey Partridge and Brown Hare After Five Years - MA01010

This document describes an evaluation of the Arable Stewardship Pilot Scheme, aimed at halting the decline of brown hares and grey partridges in the UK by offering arable farmers management options to create habitats for these species. The evaluation used data collection methods and statistical analysis to assess the winter and autumn densities of brown hares and grey partridges, as well as the productivity of grey partridges in different habitats and under various land management practices. Results indicated that, while initial evaluations in 2000 showed no significant improvements, a follow-up in 2002 revealed higher densities of both species on agreement farms, particularly in East Anglia. The scheme appeared to directly contribute to the increased brown hare densities and improved grey partridge productivity, suggesting its potential to enhance adult densities of both species. The study also included a questionnaire on game and land management practices, with the overall conclusion that the Arable Stewardship Pilot Scheme could benefit these species after a maturation period of about four years, aligning with the goals of the UK Biodiversity Action Plan. Acknowledgements were given to those who facilitated the fieldwork, and references were provided for further context on the species' conservation. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Quasi-experimental method
• Quasi-experimental methods: Difference-in-difference
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: 2003

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Links to published evaluations (DEBUGGING): No final report link found.
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes