Evaluation of the agronomical and environmental relevance of the CAP measure 'flowering grassland'

Abstract : We aimed to evalued an agri-environment measure called 'flowering grassland', devoted to biodiversity preservation in French grasslands. This measure is controlled by a short list of easily identifiable plants (indicators). Flora, agronomical and ecological value of a set of 671 grassland of four French natural regional parks were studied. The indicators used for the control are mainly linked to the total species richness of the grasslands. other aspects of the grassland value are less related to these indicators, inclusing ecosystem services like preservation of patrimonial species or contribution to pollinator activity. Agronomical value of grasslands seems poorly linked to the short lists of plants. Finally, the methods used to construct plant lists were analysed. A wide range of lists was found among natural regional parks and it appears as a cricial step for the result, the preservation of biodiversity.