Landscape features on the reference parcels (LPIS).

The landscape features layer is one of the Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) layers with serves to attribute landscape features to land parcels declared in the geospatial aid application GSAA. These areas are taken into account in the framework of the Greening scheme [Article 46 of Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013] and Agri-Environment-Climate-Measures (AECM) [Article 28 of Regulation (EU) No 1305/2013]. Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) are areas designated to bring about benefits for the environment, improve biodiversity and maintain attractive landscapes. EFAs may include landscape features, buffer strips, catch crops, fallow land, areas with nitrogen fixing crops etc.

The landscape features layer is part of the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS). LPIS is a key component of the IACS. It is an IT system based on ortho imagery (aerial or satellite photographs) which records all agricultural parcels in the Member States. It serves two main purposes: to clearly locate all eligible agricultural land contained within reference parcels and to calculate their maximum eligible area (MEA). The LPIS is used for cross checking during the administrative control procedures and as a basis for on the spot checks by the paying agency.