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Restoration of species-rich field margins: Best practice examples at the campus of Hochschule Anhalt, Germany

Fig. 1. Grass-dominated field margin before site preparation and sowing in August 2010. ©Matthias Necker
Fig. 2. Site preparation on species-poor grass margins in September 2010 before sowing begin of October 2010. ©Matthias Necker.
Fig. 3. Field margin sown with 49 wild plant species begin of October 2010. Flowering aspect end of May 2014. June-mown variant. ©Anita Kirmer.
Fig. 4. Field margin sown with 49 wild plant species begin of October 2010. Flowering aspect end of May 2014. September-mown variant. ©Anita Kirmer.
Fig. 5. Field margin sown with 49 wild plant species begin of October 2010. Flowering aspect end of May 2021. June-mown variant. ©Anita Kirmer.
Fig. 6. Field margin sown with 49 wild plant species begin of October 2010. Flowering aspect end of May 2021. September-mown variant. ©Anita Kirmer.
Fig. 7. Field margin sown with 49 wild plant species begin of April 2011. Flowering aspect mid-July 2021. May-mown variant. Precipitation 2021: May 46mm, June 74mm. ©Anita Kirmer.
Fig. 8. Field margin sown with 49 wild plant species begin of April 2011. Flowering aspect mid-July 2022. May-mown variant. Precipitation 2022: May 34mm, June 26mm. ©Anita Kirmer.
Fig. 9. Field margin sown with 49 wild plant species begin of April 2011. Flowering aspect mid-July 2021. June-mown variant. ©Anita Kirmer.
Fig. 10. Field margin sown with 49 wild plant species begin of April 2011. Flowering aspect mid-July 2021. September-mown variant. ©Anita Kirmer.

Overview

Overview: The campus of the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences hosts several experimental sites supporting the biodiversity of higher plants, insects, and other organism groups in intensively used agricultural landscapes, serving educative and research purposes, and increasing the aesthetical value. These experimental sites include several species-rich field margins established from a regional seed mixture.

Background: The historical landscape was composed of a mosaic of various types of habitats. The impact of large-scale and intensive agriculture changed the landscape structure affecting not only the abundance of endangered species but also other species relatively common in the past. Field enlargements and inappropriate management led to the loss in quantity and quality of field margin sites. Attempts to increase biodiversity have been previously conducted in agricultural as well as other human-made landscapes.

Keywords: demonstration, training, regional seed mixture, biodiversity, agricultural landscapes

Target group: vocational education and training + further education

Orientation: agriculture

Practical information:

  • Accessibility: freely accessible
  • Guide needed: no
  • Best season for visit: May – September
  • Regular field trips: yearly monitoring (contact: Anita Kirmer, anita.kirmer@hs-anhalt.de)

Training value: Regular monitoring of the sites allows an assessment of different cutting times on vegetation development since 2010/11. The sites are best practice examples for the promotion of biodiversity in field margins of intensively used agricultural landscapes.

Quick Facts

Project Location:
RP94+Q4 Bernburg, Germany, 51.819463371136, 11.705358097777, 15, GhIJbaI7LeToSUAR-e9msiRpJ0A, Bernburg, Saxony-Anhalt, SA, Germany, DE

Geographic Region:
Europe

Country or Territory:
Germany

Biome:
Temperate Forest

Ecosystem:
Grasslands & Savannas - Temperate

Project Lead:
Nature Conservation working group, Department of Agriculture, Ecotrophology and Landscape Development, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences

Organization Type:
University / Academic Institution

Project Partners:
Department of Agriculture, Ecotrophology and Landscape Development, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences Saxony-Anhalt State Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture, German Agricultural Society

Location

Project Stage:
Monitoring & Evaluation

Start Date:
2010-08

End Date:
2011-04

Primary Causes of Degradation

Agriculture & Livestock

Project Goals

The primary goal was to improve biodiversity and aesthetical value in intensively used agricultural landscapes by providing habitats for higher plants, insects, and other groups of organisms. In addition, they are used in teaching activities as well as in workshops and field trips as best practice examples.

Monitoring

The project does not have a monitoring plan.

Ecological Outcomes Achieved

Socio-Economic & Community Outcomes Achieved

Key Lessons Learned

Sowing of a highly diverse seed mixture of wild plants for regional origin is very successful to establish species-rich field margins and flower strips.

Site preparation before sowing of regional seed mixtures is crucial to ensure the establishment of sown target species.

Regular management (mowing and biomass removal) is essential to maintain species richness in the long term.

Mowing in early summer led to a lower grass cover than mowing in September and the flowering aspect of September-mown variants was lower during summer compared to variants mown in May and June.

Precipitation after mowing was decisive for regrowth and in very dry years, mowing in May better ensured flowering aspects in July compared to variants mowing in June.

Long-Term Management

All sites are regularly mown once a year.

Other Resources

Nature Conservation Working Group: https://www.offenlandinfo.de/en/working-groups

Guidelines to establish flower-rich structures in urban and rural areas: https://www.offenlandinfo.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Publikationen/Guidelines_flower-rich_structures_FINAL.pdf

Link to several leaflets (in German): https://www.offenlandinfo.de/themen/saeume-feldraine-und-bluehstreifen

Offenlandinfo twitter: https://twitter.com/offenlandinfo

Primary Contact

Name:
Anita Kirmer

Affiliation:
Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Department of Agriculture, Ecotrophology and Landscape Development

City:
Bernburg

State:
Saxony-Anhalt

Organizational Contact