Flower diversity – Regional wild plants for species-rich grassland: Implementation in Saxony-Anhalt (RegioProD)

Species-rich grassland habitats, including most FFH habitat types in cultivated landscapes, are predominantly in poor conservation status in Germany, which contributes to the decline of insect species typical of open landscapes. In order to restore species-rich grassland in the wild, native wild plant seeds and direct harvest material are required in accordance with the provisions of Section 40 of the Federal Nature Conservation Act. In many regions of Germany, these are not yet available in sufficient quantities for restoration and nature conservation projects, compensation measures, or construction projects in the wild. In addition, there are still many gaps in knowledge regarding the implementation of near-natural greening. Therefore, the “RegioProD” project aims to improve the availability of directly harvested wild plant material rich in diaspores and native seeds for the near-natural enhancement and creation of species-rich grassland in Germany.

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Project priorities

The overall objective of the joint project is to improve the availability and expand the use of native seeds and direct harvest material for the enhancement and creation of species-rich grassland. In Saxony-Anhalt and four other federal states (Lower Saxony, Saxony, Hesse, Schleswig-Holstein), various measures are planned in selected regions of origin. The following sub-goals are being pursued:

1. Nationwide networking of stakeholders and improvement of knowledge about near-natural greening with native seeds and direct harvesting methods for the enhancement and creation of species-rich grassland.
2. Improving the availability of technical information on characteristic grassland types in selected areas of origin that can serve as target vegetation for new grassland establishment or upgrading. Expanding the range of high-quality mixture compositions for nature conservation purposes for the establishment of mesophilic grassland and roadside vegetation, taking into account the requirements of climate change.
3. Improving access to native source material for the enhancement and restoration of species-rich grasslands (source seeds and plant material containing diaspores for direct transfer) by compiling existing knowledge, identifying and evaluating donor sites, and preparing regionally tailored cadastral and recording solutions
4. Qualification and networking of specialists for direct harvesting and transfer procedures.
5. Technical support for new and existing wild seed production companies by providing training opportunities and networking with existing propagation companies.
6. Improvement of conditions for the establishment of certified wild plant seed propagation (quantity and species diversity) through the establishment and testing of collection networks for basic seed and the provision of basic seed for propagation companies.
7. Gaining knowledge through model testing of direct harvesting methods and newly developed species-rich wild plant mixtures in demonstration and practical trials, taking into account different maintenance options. Deriving recommendations for the establishment and maintenance of high-quality grassland stands in terms of nature conservation, as well as for optimizing wild plant mixtures.
8. Training planners and users of greening measures in the legal basis, organization, implementation, and maintenance of high-quality open land vegetation (grassland, bioengineering measures, insect protection) as well as the long-term conservation of species-rich donor sites. Increasing knowledge about nature-friendly greening methods in nature conservation authorities, associations, planning offices, and regional initiatives (including the promotion of flower-visiting insects).

Project region

Saxony-Anhalt, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Hesse, Schleswig-Holstein

Further project details

• Review: Kick-off workshop on floral diversity (RegioProD) on October 24, 2024, in Bernburg

  On October 24, 2024, the kick-off workshop for the research project “Flower Diversity – Regional Wild Plants for Species-Rich Grassland (RegioProD)” took place on the campus of Anhalt University of Applied Sciences in Bernburg. Several interesting specialist presentations gave the more than 140 participants insights into working with regional wild plant seeds and direct harvest material. Regional wild plants are indispensable for the creation and enhancement of species-rich grassland and the successful promotion of biodiversity! “All of the presentations showed, from a wide variety of perspectives, the extensive know-how and high potential for restoring biodiversity through near-natural greening, but also the numerous implementation deficits for which solutions must be found,” said Prof. Dr. Sabine Tischew, Vice President for Research, Transfer, and Sustainability at Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, at the conclusion of the varied event.

  Presentations:

  • Renaturierung von artenreichem Grünland und das Spenderflächenkataster – Einblicke in die Erfahrungen & Arbeiten in Sachsen-Anhalt (Lars Huth, Sandra Mann – Hochschule Anhalt)
  • Das Projekt „Blütenvielfalt – regionale Wildpflanzen für artenreiches Grünland (RegioProD)“: Ziele, Inhalte und Netzwerke (Prof. Dr. Kathrin Kiehl – Hochschule Osnabrück)
  • Aktuelle Herausforderungen im Bereich der naturnahen Begrünungen
    (Prof. Dr. Eckhard Jedicke – Hochschule Geisenheim)
  • Rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen bei der Vermehrung und Gewinnung von regionalem Wildpflanzensaatgut (Dr. Beate Stumpf – Verband deutscher Wildsamen- und Wildpflanzenproduzenten e.V., VWW)
  • Renaturierung von Stromtalwiesen am Hessischen Oberrhein (Dr. Sarah Harvolk-Schöning – Universität Gießen, DVL-Koordinierungsstelle Hessen)
  • Herausforderungen bei der Gewinnung von Samenmaterial regionaler Wildpflanzen (Johann Krimmer – Krimmer GbR. Samen und Pflanzen für naturnahes Grün)
  • Entwicklung artenreicher Grün- und Offenlandlebensräume in Schleswig-Holstein (Christian Dolnik – Stiftung Naturschutz Schleswig-Holstein)
  • Maßnahmen zur Förderung der Biodiversität im Freistaat Sachsen am Beispiel von Projekten des Umweltzentrum Dresden e.V. (Annett Römer, Jenny Förster – Umweltzentrum Dresden e.V.)

  

  

  

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