Guidance documents

The RBAPS project is very pleased to provide a series of documents which can be used to plan, develop and implement results-based agri-environment schemes.

What are results-based payments and when should they be used?

This concise document sets out the basic principles of results-based payments for biodiversity and the context in which they may be useful. Read this document before you move to the more detailed RBAPS guidance handbook as it will help clarify whether results-based payments are suitable for your particular circumstances.

Policy and regulatory framework: review and recommendations

This briefing outlines key recommendations for current and future polices to enable the wider implementation of results-based agri-environment schemes.

Guidance Documents

General Guidance Handbook

This document provides a comprehensive yet easily usable step by step guide to developing results-based agri-environment schemes. It is divided into five sections which follow the sequence for decision making and rolling out of RBAPS; 1) selecting the biodiversity targets; 2) measure design and scoring systems; 3) costing and payment levels; 4) implementation and 5) monitoring and evaluation.

A series of detailed measure handbooks were developed for the project biodiversity targets and they should be read in conjunction with the general handbook, scoring guidelines and best practice management guidance for species-rich grasslands. With appropriate ecological expertise, the principles and steps can be more widely applied. Choose the measure handbook most closely associated with your desired biodiversity target.

Measure handbook for species-rich grasslands and marsh fritillary (Euphydryas aurinia) butterfly

This handbook details the steps taken to develop and roll-out scoring assessments in County Leitrim, Ireland for species-rich grasslands (wet, dry and hay meadow) and for wet grassland habitat suitable for the protected marsh fritillary butterfly.

Measure handbook for breeding waders

This handbook details the steps taken to develop and roll-out scoring assessments for breeding waders on lowland wet grasslands in the Shannon Callows, Ireland.

Measure handbook for species-rich floodplain meadows

This handbook details the steps taken to develop and roll-out scoring assessments for floodplain meadows within the Shannon Callows Special Area of Conservation, Ireland, but it is applicable more widely to seasonally inundated meadows.

Measure handbook for perennial crops in Mediterranean mosaic landscapes

This handbook details the steps taken to develop and roll-out scoring assessments for perennial crops (vines, almonds and olives) in the Mediterranean region of Navarra, Spain.