LM0481: Assessment of the impact of Agri-Environment Schemes on SSSI recovery

This document describes an evaluation of agri-environment schemes (AES) and their effectiveness in aiding the recovery of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in England. The AES are designed to counteract the negative impacts of agriculture on the environment, focusing on biodiversity and habitat enhancement. The evaluation utilized a variety of methods, including literature reviews, data analysis, and identification of evidence gaps. Results show that while AES may promote positive management activities, the evidence linking AES to SSSI improvements is inconclusive and variable, dependent on factors like habitat type and management practices. The document underscores the necessity for more targeted monitoring and stronger evidence to validate conservation efforts. It concludes that AES can contribute to SSSI recovery, but their success is nuanced and further detailed research is needed to fully understand their impact. Additionally, the evaluation points out the importance of farmer engagement and the need for better alignment between AES objectives and SSSI conservation targets, as well as the potential value of re-analyzing existing data to fill evidence gaps. **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: Home Office (Home Office)
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Generic research method
• 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: July 2019

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

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