Landscape functions as indicators for the development of local agri-environmental measures

A new methodology for the development of local agri-environmental measures is presented and exemplified by study areas in the German state of Saxony. This methodology (denoted AEMBAC) is based on the analysis of state and pressure indicators and the assessment of landscape functions. The definition of thresholds, so-called Environmental Minimum Requirements (EMR), is a crucial step of the procedure. The indicators and EMR as well as targets and measures are tailored for the local level. They take the landscape peculiarities into consideration and can vary from area to area.