Hayn grassland experiment

The experiment is intended to make an important contribution to quality assurance for all nature conservation planning in the area of commercial grassland. Existing scientific findings are to be deepened and gaps in knowledge closed. The results of the project will thus lead to the derivation of scientifically based, targeted measures for regulations and management plans as well as maintenance and development plans for LRT 6510 that can be applied statewide. In addition, the results of the project should enable the further development of the funding guidelines (RL Natura 2000 compensation for agriculture, RL voluntary nature conservation services, nature conservation RL) of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.

Furthermore, the project aims to make it clear to land users what restrictions they can expect to face when implementing measures to restore or maintain a favorable conservation status, and to what extent restrictions are economically viable. The results of the project will thus provide important arguments for the implementation of the Natura 2000 Directive in Saxony-Anhalt.

Project priorities

Investigation of the influence of management factors on the conservation status of grassland communities of LRT 6510 (submontane fresh meadows in the Südharz)

Project region

Hayn

Further project details

• Hayn management trial (submontane fresh grassland - LRT 6510)

  Flächencharakteristik

  Height: approx. 440 m above sea level	pH value: 5.28 (± 0.19)
  Annual precipitation: 742 mm	Phosphorus: 5.04 (± 1.38) (mg/100 g soil)
  Annual temperature: 7.3 °C	Potassium: 16.50 (± 3.95) (mg/100 g soil)

  * Long-term average 1992-2021. The years 2018-2022 were characterized by significantly below-average values between 541 and 696 mm.
  ** Long-term average 1992-2021.

  In 2017, LRT 6510 (low-nutrient lowland hay meadow) was sown in submontane and mesotrophic conditions on shallow soil at the experimental station Hayn of the Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Gartenbau. The seed mixture consisted of 12 grasses, 27 herbs, and 5 legumes. The seed density of the target species was 1.9 g/m². In addition, a mixture of buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum), gold-of-pleasure (Camelina microcarpa), and cress (Lepidium sativum) was sown as a cover crop with a seed density of 2 g/m². This allowed the soil to be covered quickly and created improved germination conditions for the target species. The seeds came exclusively from regional propagation.

  After preparing a fine seedbed by plowing, harrowing, and leveling, the seed mixture mixed with corn meal was scattered on the surface (not worked in!) and rolled. Sowing took place very late at the end of June and was therefore not at the optimal time. However, several weeks of rainfall and the protective function of the cover crop led to successful emergence. As part of development maintenance, the crop was cut back to a height of approx. 15-20 cm eight weeks after sowing and mowed after 12 weeks (cutting height approx. 10 cm). In the following year, the trial area presented itself with a closed vegetation cover and abundant flowering.

  

  

  

  

  

  

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  Since 2018, the management trial has been investigating practice-relevant combinations of mowing and fertilization in a fully randomized trial design on a productive grassland site with utilization interest (taking into account the grassland premium, nature conservation support through agri-environmental programs, and standard practice). The following usage variants are being tested with different fertilizer application rates (N, P, K):

  • Single-cut mowing
  • Two-cut mowing
  • Tree-cut mowing
  • Mulching in summer (July)
  • Mulching in autumn (October)
  • Twice mulching

  

  

  

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• Publications

  • Dullau, S., Kirmer, A., Tischew, S., Holz, F., Meyer, M.H., Schmidt, A. (2023): Effects of fertilizer levels and drought conditions on species assembly and biomass production in the restoration of a mesic temperate grassland on ex-arable land. Global Ecology and Conservation 48, e02730. DOI 10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02730
  • Dullau, S., Tischew, S., Schmidt, A. (2024): Effekte verschiedener Düngeintensitäten auf Artenvielfalt und Ertrag im mesophilen Grünland unter Niederschlagsdefizit – erste Erkenntnisse des Hayn-Grünlandexperiments. DVL-Rundbrief Sommer 2024: 50-54.