Agroforestry carbon-farming for biodiversity and ecosystems

Policy Briefing #66-v2 updates the title and structure of v1, but the substance is largely unchanged.  It continues to provide evidence of the benefits of biodiversity and ecosystem benefits of agroforestry, and the steps which could be taken to gain a “Biodiversity Co-benefit Endorsement” on top of an agroforestry carbon farming certificate.  Under the EU Carbon Removals Certification Framework (CRCF), carbon farming activities must explicitly demonstrate a “co-benefit” for biodiversity and ecosystems, whereas other sustainability elements only require a “do no significant harm” approach.  Agroforestry enhances biodiversity by offering structurally complex habitats, supporting beneficial insects, birds, and bats, and establishing protected green corridors for mobile species. Additionally, integrating trees into agricultural land improves soil health, prevents nutrient leaching and erosion, and regulates water cycles by reducing runoff.  To effectively monitor these benefits without making projects uneconomic, the authors propose implementing mandatory, Agroforestry Carbon Farming (ACF) Management Plas for areas larger than one hectare. The document suggests various practical monitoring indicators to verify these biodiversity co-benefits at the farm or parcel scale. These include Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) impact indicators, pollinator and grassland butterfly indices, the Soil Biological Quality Index (QBS-ar), and emerging technologies like environmental DNA (E-DNA) analysis.