Agroecology, biodiversity and ecosystem services

It is increasingly important to take a whole systems perspective when managing agricultural landscapes to ensure that production systems deliver the ecosystem services that society demands. This requires understanding the ecological, biological, physical and chemical processes with agroecological systems and the effects and impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services of management interventions. AERU have extensive expertise within this area including biodiversity; ecology; land carbon management and greenhouse gas emissions; pest control (beneficial organisms); soil management (quality, mass stabilisation and erosion prevention); water and hydrology; and wildlife conservation.

Projects

• 2020-2025: FRAMEwork: Farmers clusters for realising agrobiodiversity management across ecosystems
• 2016-2017: Affinity Water: Payment for ecosystem services
• 2014-2019: Ecosystem services calculator
• 2013-2017: Sustainable Intensification Platform (SIP)
• 2009-2010: The climate change mitigation potential of an EU farm: towards a farm-based integrated assessment
• 2007-2009: Assessment of reduction in environmental burdens through targeted measures compared with whole farm approaches in cropping and livestock systems
• 2006-2020: Countryside stewardship GHG emissions
• 2004-2005: Planning Your Entry Level Stewardship application
• 2002-2003: Priorities for the environmental protection of soil
• 2000-2002: Application of the national sustainable agriculture indicators to farm level
• 1994-2017: Environmental Management for Agriculture

Publications

• Nichols, R.N., Begg, G.S., Cantú-Salazar, L., Holland, J.M., Martin, Y., Tzilivakis, J., Vray, S., Warner, D.J., Zuta, A., McHugh, N.M. (2026). A standardised protocol for measuring farmland biodiversity outcomes across European Farmer Cluster landscapes. PLoS One, 21(3): e0345691. [DOI].
• Warner, D. & Tzilivakis, J. (2024). Novel DST for Agrobiodiversity Management: Deliverable D5.3 report for the Framework project: Farmers clusters for realising agrobiodiversity management across ecosystems (SFS-01-2018-2019-2020). DOI.
• Warner, D. & Tzilivakis, J. (2022). Database of metrics and indicators of farmland biodiversity and ecosystem services: Deliverable D5.2 report for the Framework project: Farmers clusters for realising agrobiodiversity management across ecosystems (SFS-01-2018-2019-2020). European Commission, Brussels. DOI.
• Wilkes, T.I., Warner, D.J., Edmonds-Brown, V., Davies, K.G. & Denholm, I. (2021). Zero tillage systems conserve arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, enhancing soil glomalin and water stable aggregates with implications for soil stability. . Soil Systems, 5(1): 4. DOI.
• Tzilivakis, J. & Warner, D. (2021). WP5: Biodiversity management and monitoring: DST development. 1st Annual General Assembly of the H2020 Framework project.
• Warner, D., Tzilivakis, J., Almenar, J.B., Cantú-Salazar, L., Keillor, B. & Simmons, A. (2021). Definition of requirement of the FEAST decision support tool: Deliverable 5.1 report for the Framework project: Farmers clusters for realising agrobiodiversity management across ecosystems (SFS-01-2018-2019-2020).
• Warner, D.J., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A. and Lewis, K.A. (2020). Establishing a field-based evidence base for the impact of agri-environment options on soil carbon and climate change mitigation – phase 1. Final Report. Work package number: ECM50416. Evidence Programme Reference number: RP04176. Natural England.
• Warner, D.J., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A. and Lewis, K.A. (2020). Establishing a field-based evidence base for the impact of agri-environment options on soil carbon and climate change mitigation – phase 2. Final Report. Work package number: ECM50416. Evidence Programme Reference number: RP04176. Natural England.
• Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D.J. & Holland, J.M. (2019). Developing practical techniques for quantitative assessment of ecosystem services on farmland. Ecological Indicators, 106: 105514 DOI
• Green, A. (2019). Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in the UK. In: Jegatheesan, V., Goonetilleke, A., van Leeuwen, J., Kandasamy, J., Warner, D., Myers, B. Bhuiyan, M., Spence, K. & Parker, G. eds. Urban Stormwater and Flood Management: Enhancing the Liveability of Cities. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature, pp. 69-101. DOI
• Warner, D.J., Lewis, K. & Tzilivakis, J. (2019). Stormwater harvesting and flood mitigation: A UK perspective. In: Jegatheesan, V., Goonetilleke, A., van Leeuwen, J., Kandasamy, J., Warner, D., Myers, B. Bhuiyan, M., Spence, K. & Parker, G. eds. Urban Stormwater and Flood Management: Enhancing the Liveability of Cities. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature, pp. 29-47. DOI
• Lewis, K., Warner, D.J. & Tzilivakis, J. (2019). Stormwater harvesting. In: Jegatheesan, V., Goonetilleke, A., van Leeuwen, J., Kandasamy, J., Warner, D., Myers, B. Bhuiyan, M., Spence, K. & Parker, G. eds. Urban Stormwater and Flood Management: Enhancing the Liveability of Cities. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature, pp. 119-137.DOI
• Warner, D.J., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A., Charlton, D. & Lewis, K.A. (2019). Determining the climate change mitigation potential of Countryside Stewardship. World Journal of Agriculture and Soil Science Change, 1(2), DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D., Green, A. & Lewis, K. (2019). Spatial analysis of the benefits and burdens of Ecological Focus Areas for water-related ecosystem services vulnerable to climate change in Europe. Mitig. Adapt. Strateg. Glob. Change, 24(2): 205-233. DOI
• Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D.J. & Green, A. (2018). Agri-environmental Management in Europe: Sustainable Challenges and Solutions - From Policy Interventions to Practical Farm Management. 5m Publishing, Sheffield, UK. ISBN: 1912178443
• Angileri, V., Fasbender, D., Van Eupen, C., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D., Devos, W., Loudjani, P., Paracchini, M-L. and Terres, J-M. (2017). Using the Ecological Focus Area (EFA) calculator to assess the potential impact of EFA implementation on biodiversity and ecosystem services. European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) Technical Report. DOI: 10.2788/20041.
• Tzilivakis, J. and Warner, D. (2017). Adapting the EFA Calculator software to integrate the outputs from the QuESSA project. Report for EU 7th Framework Programme Project No 311879.
• Green, A., Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J. & Warner D.J. (2017). Agricultural climate change mitigation: carbon calculators as a guide for decision making. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 15(6): 645-661. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D.J., Green, A. & Lewis, K.A. (2017). Spatial and temporal variability of greenhouse gas emissions from rural development land use operations. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 22(3): 447-467. DOI
• Warner, D., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A. & Lewis, K. (2017). Ecological Focus Areas and beneficial insect (Coleoptera: Carabidae) conservation for pest control: habitat suitability and farm specific factors. In: G. Begg, F. Bianchi, N. Birch, B. Gerowitt, J. Holland, D. Lupi, C. Moonen, M. Ramsden & P. van Rijn (Eds.), Proceedings of the 7th IOBC-WPRS Working Group meeting on Landscape Management for Functional Biodiversity (IOBC-WPRS Bulletin vol. 122). Dundee (Scotland, UK), 29-31 March, 6-10.
• Warner, D., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A. & Lewis, K. (2017). Prioritising agri-environment options for greenhouse gas mitigation. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 9(1): 104-122. DOI
• Warner, D.J., Tzilivakis, J., Green, A. & Lewis, K.A. (2016). Rural Development Program measures on cultivated land in Europe to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions – regional “hotspots” and priority measures. Carbon Management, 7(3-4): 205-219. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D.J., Green, A., Lewis, K.A. & Angileri, V. (2016). An indicator framework to help maximise potential benefits for ecosystem services and biodiversity from ecological focus areas. Ecological Indicators, 69: 859-872. DOI
• AECOM, AERU, RAC & LFAP (2016) Payments for ecosystems services trial in the Loddon catchment. Phase 2 report for Affinity Water, prepared by AECOM, Agriculture and Environment Research Unit (AERU) at the University of Hertfordshire, Reading Agricultural Consultants (RAC) and the Loddon Farm Advice Project (LFAP)
• AECOM, AERU, RAC & LFAP (2015) Payments for ecosystems services trial in the Loddon catchment. Phase 1 report for Affinity Water, prepared by AECOM, Agriculture and Environment Research Unit (AERU) at the University of Hertfordshire, Reading Agricultural Consultants (RAC) and the Loddon Farm Advice Project (LFAP)
• Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D., Green, A. & Lewis, K.A. (2015). Adapting to climate change: Assessing the vulnerability of ecosystem services in Europe in the context of rural development. Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 20(4): 547-572. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Green, A., Lewis, K.A. & Warner, D.J (2014). Identifying integrated options for agricultural climate change mitigation. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 6(2): 192-211. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K., Green, A., Warner, D., Fialkiewicz, W., Olearczyk, D., Bordet, C. & Langevin, B. (2013). Optimal Design of Climate Change Policies Through the EU's Rural Development Policy: Final Report to the European Commission. European Commission, Brussels.
• Lewis, K.A., Green, A., Warner, D.J. & Tzilivakis, J. (2012). Carbon accounting tools: are they fit for purpose in the context of arable cropping. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 11(2): 159-175. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Green, A., Warner, D.J., McGeever, K. & Lewis, K.A. (2012). A framework for practical and effective eco-labelling of food products. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 3(1): 50-73. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J. (2011). The climate change mitigation potential of an EU farm: towards a farm-based integrated assessment. European Commission meeting of agri-environment correspondents, Brussels, Belgium, 18 March 2011.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A., Green, A. & Warner, D.J. (2011). A Novel Technique for Identifying Environmental Outcomes from Agricultural Practices. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, 29(1): 2-10. DOI
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A., Green, A., Warner, D.J., MacMillan, T & McGeevor, K. (2011). Effective approaches to environmental labelling of food products. Final Report for Defra Project FO0419. January 2011.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A., Green, A. & Warner, D.J. (2010). The Climate Change Mitigation Potential of an EU Farm: Towards a Farm-Based Integrated Assessment: Final Report for EC Project ENV.B.1/ETU/2009/0052. European Commission, Brussels.
• Warner, D.J., Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J. & Green, A. (2010). Integrated Management Options for Agricultural Climate Change Mitigation (IMPACCT). Proceedings of ‘The Dundee Conference Crop Protection in Northern Britain 2010’, University of Dundee, 23 – 24 February 2010
• Warner, D.J., Davies, M., Hipps, N., Osborne, N., Tzilivakis, J. & Lewis, K.A. (2010). Greenhouse gas emissions and energy use in UK-grown short-day strawberry (Fragaria xananassa Duch) crops. Journal of Agricultural Science, 148(6): 667-681. DOI
• Lewis, K.A., Green, A., Tzilivakis, J. & Warner, D.J. (2010). The contribution of UK farm assurance schemes to environmental policy: Research Update Brief. University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK.
• Lewis, K.A., Green, A., Tzilivakis, J. & Warner, D.J. (2010). The contribution of UK farm assurance schemes towards desirable environmental policy outcomes. International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, 8(4): 237–249. DOI
• Green, A., Winspear, R. & Lewis, K. (2007). Integrating Strategies for Wildlife Management into Agri-environment Payment Schemes: A Decision Support Approach. EFITA/WCCA Conference Glasgow, July 2007.
• van der Werf, H.M.G., Tzilivakis, J., Lewis, K.A. & Basset-Mens, C. (2007). Environmental impacts of farm scenarios according to five assessment methods. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 118, 327-338.
• Warner, D.J., Davies, M., Hipps, N., Osborne, N., Tzilivakis, J. & Lewis, K.A. (2005) Sustainability of UK Strawberry Crop. Final report for Defra project HH3606.
• Tzilivakis, J., Jaggard, K., Lewis, K.A., May, M. & Warner, D.J. (2005). An assessment of the energy inputs and greenhouse gas emissions in sugar beet (Beta vulgaris) production in the UK. Agricultural Systems 85, 101-119.
• Tzilivakis, J., Jaggard, K., Lewis, K.A., May, M. & Warner, D.J. (2005). Environmental impact and economic assessment for UK sugar beet production systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment 107, 341-358.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis K.A. & Williamson, A.R. (2005). A prototype framework for assessing risks to soil functions. EIA Review 25, 181-195.
• Tzilivakis, J. & Lewis, K.A. (2004). The development and use of farm level indicators in England. Sustainable Development 12, 107-120.
• Tzilivakis, J., Turley, D.B., Ogilvy, S.E., Lewis, K.A. & Lawson, K. (2004). Assessing the environmental impact of crop protection strategies for integrated farming systems. Agronomie 24, 67-76.
• Warner, D.J., Tzilivakis, J., Hipps, N., Davies, M., Osborne, N., & Lewis, K.A. (2003). Environmental impact assessment of the UK strawberry crop. Proceedings of the International Fertiliser Society and Dahlia Greidinger Symposium. Izmir, Turkey, 7 – 10 December 2003, pages 396 - 398.
• Tzilivakis, J., Lewis K.A., Green, A., Warner, D.J. and Calvert, A. (2002) Priorities for the Environmental Protection of Soil. R&D Project Record P5-055 for the Environment Agency.
• Green, A., Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J. & Warner, D.J. (2002). Indicators of agricultural sustainability - are they relevant to grassland management? Proceedings of the British Grassland Society Winter Conference - Profitable Grass and Forage: Meeting the needs of the farmer and society. 27-28 November 2002, Stafford, UK. The British Grassland Society, Reading, UK.
• Warner, D.J., Allen-Williams, L.J., Ferguson, A.W. & Williams, I.H. (2000). Pest-predator spatial relationships in winter rape: implications for integrated crop management. Pest Management Science 56(11), 977-982.
• Lewis, K.A. & Tzilivakis, J. (1998). Evaluating a technique used to measure environmental performance within agriculture - Case studies. Eco-management and Auditing 5(3), 126-135.
• Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Skinner, J.A., Finch, J., Kaho, T., Newbold, M.J. & Bardon, K.S. (1997). Scoring and ranking farmland conservation activities to evaluate environmental performance and encourage sustainable farming. Sustainable Development 5(2), 71-78.