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-2008

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-2008

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-2008

Conceptual model : Operationalisation

Theoretical concept

Theory» indicator

Paradigma

Measurement

theory variable

» item

11-Dec-2008

What we have : the conceptual framework

Is a mind map

11-Dec-2008

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-2008

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-2008

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-2008

Relation between the basic entities

Area/Parcel

Person/family/Household

Farm/holding

Spatialcoordinates

11-Dec-2008

The example of LUCAS : Land Use Cover Areal frame Survey

11-Dec-2008

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-2008

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-2008

1 100 000 points

Photointerpretation:

Classification in

7 strata

Ground survey

Parameters•Land cover•Land use•Transect, •etc.Dissemination

FOREST AREA

GRASSLAND

CEREALS

SHRUBLAND,

ARTIFICIAL NON BUILT-UP AREAS

BARE LAND

OTHER PERMANENT CROPS

NON PERMANENT INDUSTRIALCROPSOTHER WOODED AREA

BUILT-UP AREAS

WATER

PERMANENT CROPS

ROOT CROPS

FODDER CROPS

DRY PULSES, VEGETABLES ANDFLOWERS

LUCAS data collection process

Sample of 260,000 pts

11-Dec-2008

WestEast

North

South

Land Cover “sunflower”

Land Use “agriculture”

Data collection process: Ground survey

11-Dec-2008

1. LUCAS informative content

Land cover and land use

FOREST AREA

GRASSLAND

CEREALS

SHRUBLAND,

ARTIFICIAL NON BUILT-UP AREAS

BARE LAND

OTHER PERMANENT CROPS

NON PERMANENT INDUSTRIALCROPSOTHER WOODED AREA

BUILT-UP AREAS

WATER

PERMANENT CROPS

ROOT CROPS

FODDER CROPS

DRY PULSES, VEGETABLES ANDFLOWERS

Lucas 2006 – Land cover statistics

11-Dec-2008

250 m eastwards

Transect

C01 B43 C01 B75 02 62 02 B43 15 B16

Broadleaved forest

Other vegetables

Broadleaved forest

Other fruit trees

Herb fringes

Road Herb fringes

Other vegetables

Woodland margins

Maize

2. LUCAS informative content

Ind

ica

tors

of l

and

sca

pe d

iver

sity

a

nd h

ete

rog

en

eity

Landscape photos

2. LUCAS informative content

11-Dec-2008

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-2008

Multiple users !!

LUCASMultipurpose

platform

Key customers:• DG ENV• DG JRC• DG ENTR• DG AGRI• DG REGIO• EEA

INSPIRESpatial Metadata

Land use Data CentreEEA

Shared EnvironmentalInformation SystemDG ENV

GMESGEOLANDDG ENTR

Technical supportDG JRC

SOIL SAMPLE

11-Dec-2008

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-2008

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