International Review on Payment Schemes for Wet Buffer Strips and other Types of Wet Zones along Privately Owned Land

Publication: Report
Citation: Dworak T.; Berglund, M.; Grandmougin, B.; Mattheiss, V.; Holen, S.; 2009. International review on payment schemes for wet buffer strips and other types of wet zones along privately owned land. Study for RWS-Waterdienst. Ecologic Institute, Berlin/Wien.

The main focus of the study is to investigate a system of payment "euro-compatible" which could allow remunerating the farmer for the environmental services provided by the wet buffer strip. The study is available for download.

With the scope to support the Dutch Ministry of Traffic, Public Works and Water Management in the establishment of wet buffer strips, the study investigated five agri-environmental payment schemes triggering permanent land use change in 11 European countries. The measures investigated are buffer strips, creation of wetlands, land purchase and preserving and developing nature conservation and water protection areas. In addition, case studies were carried out. In three countries (Germany, France, Sweden) case studies were carried out investigating the details behind the payment schemes as well as other factors influencing farmer's behaviour.

Language: English
Authorship: Thomas Dworak

Maria Berglund

Benoit Grandmougin

Verena Mattheiss

Silje Nygaard Holen
Funding: Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, Rijkswaterstaat (RIZA), Netherlands
Published by: Ecologic Institute, Germany
Year: 2009
Dimension: 40 pp.
Table of contents: Click to show full table of contents

1 Introduction and Background
2 Nature of the present report
2.1 Main objectives and structure of the report
2.2 Main definitions used
2.3 Methodology used
2.4 Limitations of the study
3 Environmental services from buffer zones in relation to water
3.1 Environmental services from buffer zones
4 Results from MS assessment on measures that foster a permanent land uses change towards "buffer zones"
4.1 Which water related measures triggering permanent land use change have been set up by MS and what environmental services do they provided?
4.2 Which payment schemes are applied and on which level?
4.3 What is the intuitional/legal framework behind the payments?
4.4 What about participation?
5 Conclusions and recommendations
6 Bibliography
Annex 1: Leading questions of the assessment
Annex 2: Case study reports
Keywords: Economics

Water

Water Framework Directive, WFD, EC water legislation, water body, agriculture, good status by 2015, good farming practice, conversion of arable land, natural zones, environmental benefits, dry, wet, buffer strip, Common Agricultural Policy, CAP, Health Check

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Switzerland, Europe

case study