Conception d´une méthode destinée à promouvoir l´implantation de bandes herbeuses extensives dans les prairies permanentes en wallonie

In accordance with agriculture evolution in Europe, the Walloon Region has emphasized the importance of buffer zones in agricultural parcels since many years. Consequently, one of the agri-environmental measures in force at the present time concerns extensive grassland strips settlement in agricultural parcels. Buffer zones preserve river quality, reduce soil erosion, diversify landscapes and promote biodiversity. With a Geographic Information System (GIS) based on the Integrated Administration and Control System (IACS) of the Walloon General Directorate of Agriculture, it is possible to detect parcel sections where farmers can introduce extensive strips in accordance with legal specifications in order to benefit of grants. Results of the new method are presented in a diagnostic table which includes an indicator expressing the total grantable strips length (in meters) at the exploitation scale. Its calculation is based on existing strips, surface and location of permanent meadow parcels. Results are completed with cartographic representation of settlement´s possibilities for each exploitation. These two complementary tools–diagnostic table and geographical map–can be very useful to manage agricultural exploitations.