An internet-accessible tool for drawing up tailor made management plans for meadow birds

Summary Effective management for nature conservation needs a basis in scientific research and a careful communication of knowledge to the workers in the field. This is especially the case in agri-environmental schemes, where nature conservation is to be combined with agricultural exploitation. The assumption is that a so-called mosaic management is a good starting point, delivering chick land (land suitable for chicks) during the breeding season in the right time and place. To draw up such a plan appears to be rather complex. We developed an internet-accessible tool which can be used by farmers and agricultural nature conservations groups to enhance the quality of the management plan. The users have to import data concerning the intended management (agri-environmental scheme as well as the regular conduct of business) and distribution of territories of an entire area. These data are used to evaluate the plan, yielding figures about the sufficiency (quality and quantity) of chick land. These figures indicate the sustainability of the population for the intended numbers and density. In 2008 more than 50 areas (ranging from 500–1500 ha) used the knowledge system. Some evaluation results are presented. In addition feedback was obtained from the users. An important aspect is that users should not feel that the tool is a control instrument by the government. This can be achieved by giving them the choice to use the system, e.g. as a device to persuade the government about the quality of the management plan. Using the system increased the enthusiasm to work with it and gave us inspiration to further improve the system.