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the selection process for a field: (i) The
field should have high botanical sig-
nificance, i.e. it should preferably show
site-typical wild arable plant species; (ii)
the area should have at least 10 years or at best open-ended
conservation available for the wild plants; (iii) the continuous
management by a farmer and the finances required to imple-
ment the measures need to be available; (iv) there is a regional
organization (landcare association, environmental associa-
tion, Flächenagentur etc.) or person available to ensure on-site
support for the farmers and to monitor the project until it has
ended. The conservation sites are seasonally flooded wet-
land fields, nutrient-poor and acidic sandy fields, or stony and
flat chalk fields. Often they are the property of environmental
groups, Flächenagenturen or local agencies, or they have been
acquired specifically for the long-term goal of protecting wild
arable plant species through contractual arrangements or legal
measures, like easement agreements entered in the register
of deeds reserving the fields for nature conservation use. The
participating farmers lease the land and are free to decide what
to plant depending on their business concept and the kind of
species-specific management required. For the majority of the
fields the term secured for conservation runs for between 15
and 30 years, and in some cases is open ended.
Yield losses caused by the management of the wild arable
plants are paid for, as too are the added costs involved in
adapting management styles. Funding for this is primarily
gene rated through the Eingriffs-Ausgleichsregelung (impact
mitigation regulation) that requires project developers to miti-
gate or compensate for any impact on nature and landscape.
Specifically the instrument of the so-called Produktionsinte-
nature conservation objectives applicable to those conserva-
tion fields. If possible, one such conservation field containing
the regionally site-specific communities of wild arable plants
should be located in each natural area within Germany, at
least 100 fields in total until the end of the first implementa-
tion phase. The initiators hope that in the future these fields will
act as both a starting point for the repopulation of endangered
species and the focus of further scientific investigations.
The Georg-August-University of Göttingen together with the
Witzenhausen Research Institute of Organic Agriculture and the
DVL conducted an 18-month feasibility study prior to the imple-
mentation phase. The research carried out on-site during this
period led to the identification of the most appropriate sites
for conservation fields as well as the participants who could
likely implement the required measures. A quantitative analysis
served to determine the current inventory of endangered wild
arable plant species in Germany. For this purpose, conservation
agencies and associations, environmental groups and other
relevant organizations involved in the protection of wild arable
plants were interviewed. It was also a part of the preliminary
study to develop concepts and strategies that could ensure the
long-term financing and management of the conservation fields.
The implementation phase of the project was finally launched
at the beginning of 2009. It was during this stage that the sites
of high botanical significance were chosen, their management
optimized in line with nature conservation objectives, and
farmers motivated to actively support the project.
The project managers define a conservation field as an
area that contains an exceptional inventory of plant species to
be protected or fostered over the long term using contractual
agreements or legal measures. Four criteria are used during
Vielfalt
100 Äcker für die Vielfalt
region (area):
Various areas throughout Germany (currently 112
fields, about 475 ha)
Starting year (stage):
2007 preliminary study, 2009-2014 first imple-
mentation phase (temporarily terminated)
objective:
Protection and enhancement of biodiversity
Beneficiary:
General public represented by developers
legally obliged to compensate for impacting on
nature and landscapes as well as the European
Union (EU) in the context of agri-environmental
programs, the federal and state governments
of Germany, rural associations, environmental
associations and foundations
Service provider:
Landowners (rural associations, Flächenagentu-
ren, environmental organizations, foundations,
municipalities, private individuals) and farmers
(other) Intermediaries:
Regional coordinators, Georg-August-University
of Göttingen, University of Kassel, and the Deut-
sche Verband für Landschaftspflege e.V. (DVL,
German Association for Landcare) supported by
the Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt (DBU)
Budget:
€ 1.2 million in total for the project development
and coordination, plus € 200,000 for the pre-
liminary study
Payment arrangement:
Input-based, level of payment made to landow-
ners is negotiated individually, level of payment
made to farmers based on opportunity and
production costs
Contact:
Dr. Stefan Meyer
Stefan.Meyer@biologie.uni-göttingen.de
www.schutzaecker.de
