This report highlights nine peer reviewed research projects published in 2025 and 2026 which evaluate the effectiveness of Agri Environment Schemes (AES) in England, both before and after the creation of Environmental Land Management schemes. Commissioned through Natural England’s Agri Environment Evidence Programme and funded by Defra, the studies primarily assess the environmental, landscape and social outcomes of Countryside Stewardship and Higher-Level Stewardship.
Five projects primarily examined environmental outcomes, covering scrub habitat monitoring, the performance of low input cereal crops, woodland tree health, pond biodiversity and the responses of bush crickets to AES. Results show that biodiversity gains under AES can be achieved, including for some plants, pollinators and insects, however challenges remain in delivering the full range of environmental outcomes, for example improving and sustaining habitat condition.
Two projects focused on landscape character outcomes: one evaluated the condition and importance of stone walls in upland areas, while another provided the latest repeat assessment of the effects of AES on landscape character, showing improvement since the previous survey five years earlier. Although landscape character has improved nationally due to AES, in some areas and for some landscape types AES makes a smaller contribution.
One project focused on social outcomes, exploring how agreement holders’ connection with nature influences AES delivery. Agreement holders with stronger nature connectedness tend to show higher environmental ambition. The final project synthesised existing monitoring evidence on scheme impacts across environmental themes. Evidence gaps persist around water quality, climate resilience and public engagement, highlighting priorities for future monitoring and scheme development.