Experiences with the application, recordation and valuation of agri-environmental indicators in agricultural practice

The Free State of Saxony has accompanied the programme "Umweltgerechte Landwirtschaft in Sachsen" ("Environmentally sound agriculture in Saxony") and scientifically evaluated it, taking into consideration its effectiveness on market-relief, environmental-relief and income trends. Along with a-biotic indicators, biotic indicators have been recorded and evaluated as well. The recordation was carried through by the means of plot record lists which were kept in the farms. The valuation of the indicators’ effects is taking place using time series and the presentation of trends and variations of each year. This approach is suitable to determine the effects of measures which are aimed at environmental-relief. Furthermore, information about the extent of influence a management system has on the agri-environmental measure can be obtained.