Protocols to support biodiversity monitoring
Scientific protocols to support biodiversity monitoring prepared by AGRIAMBIO of the National Museum of Natural Sciences (MNCN) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) under the MAPA–CSIC agreement.
The Interdisciplinary Thematic Platform AGRIAMBIO (PTI-AGRIAMBIO) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) aims to provide a robust scientific basis for the monitoring and evaluation of the environmental performance of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Spain, particularly within the framework of the CAP Strategic Plan 2023–2027 (PEPAC). Within this initiative, several standardised biodiversity monitoring protocols for agroecosystems were developed, including those targeting farmland birds, pollinators and herbaceous plant communities, in order to assess the ecological effects of agri-environmental measures and eco-schemes implemented under the CAP. These protocols, developed through collaboration between CSIC researchers and public administrations, were designed to generate comparable nationwide datasets that enable the evaluation of biodiversity responses to agricultural policies and support evidence-based decision-making for the sustainable management of agricultural landscapes. The implementation of these protocols will depend on the MAPA’s budget from late 2025 onwards, continuing through to the completion of the evaluation phase of Spain’s Strategic Plan for the CAP.
Protocols
Each protocol integrates scientific evidence and technical recommendations to enhance the effectiveness, traceability, and ecological coherence of CAP interventions. These works reflects a multidisciplinary effort combining landscape ecology, biodiversity monitoring, and agricultural policy assessment.
1. Clemente-Orta, G., Concepción, E. D., and Díaz, M. (2025). Protocol for the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Agroecology eco-scheme ‘Biodiversity spaces’ of the strategic plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Spain on the trends of farmland birds. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) y Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA), Madrid. Scientific-technical report. DIGITAL.CSIC.
2. Clemente-Orta, G., González-Pulido, L., and Díaz, M. (2025). Protocol for the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) measures of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Spain on farmland birds. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) y Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA), Madrid. Scientific-technical report. DIGITAL.CSIC.
3. Clemente-Orta, G., Concepción, E. D., and Díaz, M. (2025). Preparation of training materials for field surveyors. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) y Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA), Madrid. Scientific-technical report. DIGITAL.CSIC.
4. Clemente-Orta, G., Concepción, E. D., and Díaz, M. (2025). Proposal for improvement and opportunities for monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of the agroecology eco-scheme “Biodiversity Spaces” and the Rural Development Programme (RDP) measures within the framework of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Spain. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) y Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA), Madrid. Scientific-technical report. DIGITAL.CSIC.
5. Clemente-Orta, G., Concepción, E. D., and Díaz, M. (2025). Protocol for the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the Rural Development Programme (RDP) measures of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Spain on wild pollinators and herbaceous plants. Consejo Superior de InvestigacionesCientíficas (CSIC) y Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA), Madrid. Scientific-technical report. DIGITAL.CSIC.
6. González-Pulido, L., Clemente-Orta, G., and Díaz, M. (2025). Protocol for evaluating the effectiveness of the eco-scheme “Biodiversity Spaces” and the measures of the Rural Development Plan (RDP) of the Strategic Plan of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in Spain on the conservation of threatened steppe birds through GPS tracking. Consejo Superior de InvestigacionesCientíficas (CSIC) y Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA), Madrid. Scientific-technical report. DIGITAL.CSIC.
7. Clemente-Orta, G., Concepción, E. D., and Díaz, M. (2025). Protocol for the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the agroecology eco-scheme “Biodiversity Spaces” and the Rural Development Programme (RDP) measures of Spain’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan on species and habitats protected under the Natura 2000 Network. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) y Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA), Madrid. Scientific-technical report. DIGITAL.CSIC.