Restoration of the favorable conservation status, ecosystem services, and connectivity of grassland habitat types 6210(*), 6240*, and 6510 in the Karstlandschaft Südharz Biosphere Reserve (WEGe)
The open land habitat types (LRT) 6210(*) (calcareous dry grasslands), 6240* (sub-Pannonian steppe dry grasslands) and 6510 (lowland hay meadows) are of great importance for nature conservation in Saxony-Anhalt, both from a quantitative and qualitative perspective. However, they often suffer from deficits in the southern Harz Mountains, one of the most important cultural landscapes with a very high proportion of grassland. In addition to the negative impact of underuse, suboptimal management, and the invasion of the value-reducing neophyte Bunias orientalis (Oriental ragwort), the degree of isolation is steadily increasing due to impaired or missing connectivity elements. The aim of the measures planned as part of the project is to restore the severely impaired biodiversity and ecosystem services and to improve the conservation status and connectivity of LRT 6210(*), 6240* and 6510. This will not only restore the conservation value, but also the basis for the management of these semi-natural, use-dependent habitats, as well as ensuring sustainable material cycles, pollination services, and recreational functions. The measures make a significant contribution to improving green infrastructure in rural areas, the extraordinary importance of which is highlighted in view of a wide range of ecosystem services.
Project priorities
- Improvement of the conservation status of habitat types 6210(*) (calcareous dry grasslands), 6240* (sub-Pannonian steppe dry grasslands) and 6510 (lowland hay meadows)
- Establishment of regional propagation of LRT 6240* species
- Reintroduction and population enhancement of Scorzonera purpurea (RL 1) and Scabiosa canescens (species of responsibility)
- (Re)connecting habitat types and promoting numerous faunal species groups (bats, insects: including butterflies, zygaena moths, moths, wild bees)
- Preserving or restoring the manageability of grassland habitat types dependent on use and preventing the further spread of Bunias orientalis
Project region
Karstlandschaft Südharz biosphere reserve
Further project details
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The potential areas with high improvement potential were mapped and selected in spring 2022. The area includes 11 hectares of low-nutrient lowland hay meadows of LRT 6510 in the vicinity of Großleinungen and Pölsfeld, 5 hectares of near-natural calcareous semi-dry grasslands and their scrub encroachment stages of LRT 6210(*) between Roßla and Pölsfeld, and 9 hectares of sub-Pannonian steppe dry grasslands of LRT 6240 in the region around Wallhausen. All areas are currently in a state of conservation that needs improvement.
In October 2022, partial sowing of native seeds began on parts of LRT 6210(*) and 6510 to enable the establishment of typical species and thus increase the floristic species inventory of the areas. The seed mixtures were created according to the individual locations and plant communities and have a high proportion of herbs. Between January and March 2023, the initial restoration measures (scrub clearance, removal of litter, mowing) were then carried out.
LRT 6210(*) vor Umsetzung der Instandsetzungsmaßnahmen. 
Offenbodenstellen nach Einsaat mit standortangepasster und kräuterreicher Samenmischung. 
Einsaat auf erzeugten Offenbodenstellen ohne großflächigen Umbruch. Pro geplantem Einsaatfenster werden ca. 20 - 25 Offenbodenstellen erzeugt. In the summer of 2023, vegetation surveys and counts of target species were carried out to assess the initial success of the measures implemented. These will be repeated in the summer of 2024.
For the steppe dry grasslands, a propagation program was established for the species to be introduced. The plants were sown in the spring of 2024 on selected areas of LRT 6240.
Potentilla incana 
Scorzonera purpurea 
Carex humilis -
The aim of the measures for reintroduction and population enhancement is not only to directly improve the conservation status of Scorzonera purpurea and the responsibility species Scabiosa canescens, but also to improve habitat quality and thus the conservation status of selected sub-Pannonian steppe dry grasslands (LRT 6240*). In addition, land use is to be initiated in order to secure the long-term survival of the species.
In spring 2024, young plants of both species and seeds of Scabiosa canescens were sown on selected areas of LRT 6240*. Areas were selected where regular use is guaranteed in order to facilitate the establishment and spread of the species.
For Scabiosa canescens, one sowing window with a mulch layer and one sowing window without a mulch layer were created. Initial monitoring of the planted plants is planned for August 2024.
Jungpflanze von Scorzonera purpurea 
Jungpflanze von Scabiosa canescens 
Samen von Scabiosa canescens 
Ansaat- und Pflanzfenster -
From August to September 2022 and 2023, around 3,000 meters of roadside verges in the biosphere reserve were upgraded by introducing species-rich wild herb mixtures from certified, locally propagated sources. These are located in the districts of Pölsfeld, Obersdorf, Morungen, Lengefeld, Großleinungen, and Kleinleinungen. The areas were selected on the basis of a potential analysis carried out in the spring, focusing on roadside verges that are species-poor, low in flowering plants, dominated by grasses, and have a good demonstration effect. Six of the eight upgraded roadside verges are located along the Karstwanderweg trail. In the first few years after the roadside verges have been established, development maintenance and success monitoring will be carried out.
The roadside verges were mowed with brush cutters and the cuttings cleared away (left: mowing on the roadside verge in the Obersdorf district). To create as fine a seedbed as possible, the soil was tilled two to three times at intervals of approximately two to three weeks (center: tilling with a cultivator on the roadside verge near Lengefeld). Subsequently, perennial wild herb mixtures were introduced to promote target fauna species groups such as wild bees, butterflies, and moths, as well as to connect open habitat types 6210(*) and 6510 (right: sowing on the roadside verge near Großleinungen).
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The spread of Bunias orientalis is a problem in many places in the Südharz, where it forms dense, dominant populations in some areas.
For this reason, trials to combat Bunias orientalis were set up in Südharz in May 2022. On a total of eight trial areas, digging, hoeing, mowing, and covering with plastic sheeting were tested, and the development of B. orientalis and the accompanying vegetation was recorded every two weeks. This included estimating the cover and counting the rosettes, seedlings, and shoots of B. orientalis. At the end of September, half of the cut-out variants were sown with 14 competitive rosette species that are intended to displace B. orientalis in subsequent years. The series of trials was continued in 2023 and accompanied by close monitoring.
Parallel to the surveys, immediate measures were implemented to curb the further spread of B. orientalis in the Südharz. On seven roadside verges and two areas of habitat type 6510, the species was prevented from seeding by cutting or mowing. Next year, the sites will be checked and the measures repeated if necessary.Flyer: Orientalisches Zackenschötchen (Bunias orientalis)
Poster: Versuche zur Bekämpfung des Orientalischen Zackenschötchens
Ausgestochene B. orientalis an einem Wegrain in Pölsfeld Mitte Mai 2022 
Versuchfläche in Großleinungen Ende Mai 2022 
Versuchsfläche in Großleinung Anfang August 2022 -
Bunias orientalis
Testing mechanical treatment options for controlling Bunias orientalis in the Südharz – results from 2022 and 2023 | Anne-Kristin Reise | Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
Combating Bunias orientalis with selective herbicides | Kerstin Aschenbach | Thüringer Landesamt für Landwirtschaft und Ländlichen Raum
Field report on combating Bunias orientalis in the Saale-Holzland-Kreis | Katrin Hänze and Samuel Neumann | Natura 2000 station “Mittlere Saale”
roadside verges
Enhancement of roadside verges in the Karstlandschaft Südharz Biosphere Reserve | Verena Schmid | Anhalt University of Applied Sciences
Mid-project review: VIA Natura 2000 | Dirk Hofmann | Thuringia Nature Conservation Foundation | Tobias Ehrhardt | Natura 2000 Station Südharz/Kyffhäuser
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Bunias orientalis in the Südharz – From control attempts to recommendations for action | Anne-Kristin Reise and Nele Adert
Data sheet for the presentation “Bunias orientalis in the Südharz – From control attempts to recommendations for action” [Anne-Kristin Reise]
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