Monitoring biodiversity in Norwegian agricultural landscapes for 25 years

Lecture series of the Monitoring Centre for Biodiversity: Monitoring biodiversity in Norwegian agricultural landscapes for 25 years Speakers: PhD Wenche Dramstad, PhD Christian Pedersen, PhD Hanne Sickel (Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO)) Recognising that the intensification of agriculture affects not only production but also biodiversity, Norway established a national monitoring programme specifically for agricultural landscapes in 1998. This programme, known as 3Q, was inspired by the UK Countryside Survey. The 3Q programme is a sample‑based survey in which 1000 monitoring squares of 1 km² were selected, each located where agriculture was present at the centre of a 3 × 3 km grid. Although the sampling design has been adjusted since its inception, the overall approach remains largely unchanged. Land cover and land use are mapped from aerial photographs every five to seven years. A random subsample of ca. 130 squares was selected for field‑based monitoring of birds and ca. 100 squares for monitoring vascular plants in grassland habitats. In addition, transect surveys for bumblebees and butterflies have been carried out at 20 squares. Our presentation will cover the objectives of the programme, methods, reporting, organisation and funding. We will share some key findings related to trends in biodiversity, landscape structure and composition, and reflect on the value of long‑term ecological monitoring. Monitoring Biodiversity in Europe In six lectures, speakers from six different countries report on how biodiversity monitoring is organized in their respective countries. They provide an overview of the most important monitoring programs, their historical developments, and the key actors involved. They explain what information is collected using which methods, what reporting requirements exist, and how the use and accessibility of the data is regulated. They also provide insight into the topics and developments they are currently working on and how they are involved in European and international initiatives. In a final seventh lecture, it will be presented how a "European Biodiversity Observation Coordination Centre" could contribute to the establishment of a transnational, cross-habitat biodiversity monitoring in the European Union. Background of the lecture series The National Monitoring Centre for Biodiversity has the key task of coordinating monitoring activities and further developing nationwide biodiversity monitoring in collaboration with professional associations, the scientific community and public authorities. This involves bringing together practitioners and researchers, refining methodologies and providing comprehensive information on biodiversity monitoring. In addition to other topic-specific events, a digital lecture series offers all interested parties the opportunity to exchange ideas. The lecture series offers insights into the monitoring landscape of selected European countries and an outlook on joint monitoring in the European Union. The National System for Monitoring of Biological Diversity (NSMSBD) has been operating since 2007 and, in accordance with the regulations, is updated every 10 years in line with new requirements or methods for monitoring biological species and natural habitats. The results of these observations are published in the National Report on the State and Protection of the Environment, as well as in reports that comply with the requirements of the nature directives.