Key agroecosystems for the conservation of amphibians and reptiles in Europe

Agricultural expansion and intensification are driving amphibian and reptile declines worldwide. However, sustainably managed agroecosystems can support a high diversity of herpetofauna, which play a key role in pest control, reducing crop damage. Therefore, integrating herpetofauna conservation into agricultural policies is vital for enhancing human well-being, but it remains largely overlooked. High nature value farmlands (HNVFs) offer a promising framework for conserving herpetofauna outside protected areas; however, the lack of a standardized protocol for HNVF identification can complicate agroecosystem conservation prioritization. We used amphibian and reptile presence data to assess the environmental and climatic factors shaping amphibian and reptile diversity across European agroecosystems and identify HNVFs at large (10 km) and small (2 km) spatial scales. We compared two approaches for HNVF identification, species richness, and irreplaceability and tested whether these areas are protected by the current conservation framework. Coverage of both groups was promoted by heterogenous agroecosystems with natural elements (forest patches, hedgerows, and water bodies), whereas agricultural cover showed negative effects. HNVF identification was generally consistent among the different spatial scales. HNVFs identified through irreplaceability placed greater emphasis on agricultural areas hosting farmland-associated species, highlighting that irreplaceability provides a more robust approach to HNVF identification. Only a small fraction of HNVFs was protected by the existing European Natura 2000 network, emphasizing the need for improved agrienvironmental schemes to ensure herpetofauna conservation.