11 December 2008 P. Everaers, Eurostat, Directorate D Data Requirements and Conceptual Framework for Agricultural Statistics Discussion P. Everaers (Eurostat) ‘Agriculture – environment linkages including land use’

11-Dec Overview The conceptual framework : agriculture and environment, land use : a mind setter, but not yet a conceptual model To operationalize ;choices to be made, start with the basic entities Starting from where : a practical approach land use : the LUCAS example. Questions for discussion

11-Dec Elements of a conceptual model (in sociological research terminology) Choice of entities Choice of indicators and subsequently variables and items Scheme of possible relations In a context : paradigma

11-Dec Conceptual model : Operationalisation Theoretical concept Theory » indicator Paradigma Measurement theory variable » item

11-Dec What we have : the conceptual framework Is a mind map

11-Dec The context will lead to the theoretical concepts and determine the (core) variables : there are at least three starting points 1.Supply and utilization of agricultural products Early warning Efficient Market system 2.Poverty and Hunger reduction Food security 3.Agricultures effect on the environment Climate change

11-Dec Or to start from the current situation in agricultural statistics request the choice of a context Nothing or very poorly developed, marginally functioning NSDS as basis: to be adapted Developed systems To search for the common denominator

11-Dec The basic entities : the fundamental choice that at the end defines the quality of the integrated system we are aiming for. We have to use the entity that facilitates all aims Survey base Based on administrative sources Based on ‘more advanced’ techniques

11-Dec Relation between the basic entities Area/ Parcel Person/family/ Household Farm/ holding Spatial coordinates

11-Dec The example of LUCAS : Land Use Cover Areal frame Survey

11-Dec What is LUCAS? LUCAS is a field sample survey for collecting data on land cover/use and agro-environmental indicators Organised by Eurostat every 3 years LUCAS data is used for producing harmonised land cover/use data for EU countries Main data users are DG ENV, DG JRC, DG ENTR, DG ARGI, DG REGIO and European Environment Agency

11-Dec What is LUCAS? LUCAS is a field sample survey for collecting data on land cover/use and agro-environmental indicators Organised by Eurostat every 3 years LUCAS data is used for producing harmonised land cover/use data for EU countries But can also be used to collect and link with a lot of other information

11-Dec points Photointerpretation: Classification in 7 strata Ground survey Parameters Land cover Land use Transect, etc. Dissemination LUCAS data collection process Sample of 260,000 pts

11-Dec West East North South Land Cover “sunflower” Land Use “agriculture” Data collection process: Ground survey

11-Dec LUCAS informative content Land cover and land use Lucas 2006 – Land cover statistics

11-Dec m eastwards Transect C01B43C01B B4315B16 Broadle aved forest Other vegetab les Broadle aved forest Other fruit trees Herb fringes RoadHerb fringes Other vegetab les Woodla nd margins Maize 2. LUCAS informative content Indicators of landscape diversity and heterogeneity Landscape photos 2. LUCAS informative content

11-Dec Spatial coordinates as starting point for an integrated data base Spatial coordinates to be included in Orthogonal photographs : info on sample frame Remote sensing : info on land and soil, events Surveys : info on persons, households, farms, holdings Observations : info on soil, eco system, environment Administrative sources : info on production, sales, trade

11-Dec Multiple users !! LUCAS Multipurpose platform Key customers: DG ENV DG JRC DG ENTR DG AGRI DG REGIO EEA INSPIRE Spatial Metadata Land use Data Centre EEA Shared Environmental Information System DG ENV GMES GEOLAND DG ENTR Technical support DG JRC SOIL SAMPLE

11-Dec Questions / points for discussion What do we miss when we measure on the household level? Can we manage with aggregated information The strategy should distinguish levels of implementation according to the context (paradigma) in combination with the level of development (nothing to poor systems – NSDS – developed systems), and accordingly should use different levels of conceptual models. One global model, is this possible ?

11-Dec Q and D : Cont’d The entity to start with in the integrated (conceptual and data) model is on the spatial level : the spatial coordinate or the area code Is the current draft strategy in its conceptual model maybe too much developed country oriented : should we not focus on the MDG related actions? A layered conceptual model, also from the point of view of feasibilty for introducing the strategy seems to be needed

11 December 2008 P. Everaers, Eurostat, Directorate É Thank you