Ecological effectiveness of perennial wildflower strips in Saxony-Anhalt using bees (Apidae) as an example

In 2019, the occurrence of plant species and wild bees on perennial wildflower strips in Saxony-Anhalt was evaluated. The flower strips were sown by farmers as part of agri-environmental and climate measures (AUKM) with a mixture of 30 regional herbs from certified seed production. In the fourth and fifth years, 70% of the seeded species were still present on the land. A total of 125 wild bee species were recorded on the flower strips, compared to only 11 wild bee species on cereal fields without flower strips. In addition to the presence of pollen and nectar plants on the flower strips, their surroundings also play an important role for wild bees: with increasing structural diversity in the landscape, more demanding and rare wild bee species could also be observed on the flower strips. This shows that, especially in cleared agricultural areas, in addition to perennial wild plant flower strips, persistent structures such as species-rich grassland and field margins, orchards, and hedges must also be promoted.

Project priorities

• Wildflower strips
• wild bees
• Biodiversity in agricultural areas

Project region

Saxony-Anhalt