Sustainable development and nature conservation-oriented management optimization of FFH habitat type 6510 and populations of the species of concern Dactylorhiza majalis (broad-leaved marsh orchid) in Saxony-Anhalt (NEMo)

The project aims 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 applicable throughout the state for regulations and management plans as well as maintenance and development plans for LRT 6510 and, for selected aspects, also for wet and marshy meadows. 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 when implementing measures to restore or maintain a favorable conservation status, and to what extent restrictions are economically viable. The results of the project thus provide important arguments for the implementation of the Natura 2000 Directive in Saxony-Anhalt.

In addition, the practical measures of the project have a direct positive impact on the species Dactylorhiza majalis and have a strong knock-on effect for other endangered and protected species as well as legally protected biotopes.

Project priorities

• Investigation of minimally invasive seeding techniques for target species for the successful development of LRT 6510
• Investigation of the influence of management factors on the conservation status of grassland communities of LRT 6510 (submontane fresh meadows in the Südharz)
• Revitalization of wet and marshy meadows with current or historical occurrences of the species Dactylorhiza majalis (broad-leaved marsh orchid)
• Influence of management factors on population development and reintroduction of Dactylorhiza majalis (broad-leaved marsh orchid)
• Updating the grassland guide, public relations, and knowledge transfer

Project region

Saxony-Anhalt

Further project details

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

  As part of the management trial at the Hayn Experimental Station of the Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Gartenbau, the effects of various management factors on the conservation status of grassland communities in LRT 6510 (lowland hay meadows) at submontane altitudes are being investigated.

  Area characteristics:

  Elevation: approx. 440 m above sea level
  Annual precipitation: 600 mm
  Annual temperature: 6.5 ˚C

  This is a continuation of a management trial for the project: Conservation-oriented, sustainable grassland management in Saxony-Anhalt for the promotion of habitat types 6210(*), 6440, 6510 and the responsibility species Dactylorhiza majalis (NaturGrüST).

  In 2017, a mixture of native wild plants corresponding to LRT 6510 was sown on a shallow site in a submontane, mesotrophic environment. After one year of development maintenance, a management trial was set up in 2018 to investigate practical combinations on a productive grassland site with potential for use (taking into account the grassland premium, nature conservation support through AUM, and standard use).

  The following usage variants are being tested with different fertilizer application rates (N, P, K):

  • Single mowing
  • two-cut mowing
  • three-cut mowing
  • Mulching in summer
  • Mulching in autumn
  • Mulching twice

  The effects of different intensities of use and fertilization on species diversity, vegetation structure, yield, and forage quality, as well as the establishment of target species, are being scientifically analyzed. To this end, vegetation surveys are being conducted, yield shares estimated, and forage analyses carried out, among other things.

  The investigations serve to derive recommendations for optimizing the mowing time and fertilization for plant populations of LRT 6510 while preserving the species inventory typical of the habitat and taking economic interests into account.

  

  

• Disturbance and seeding experiment in Iden (lowland hay meadow - LRT 6510)

  As part of the disturbance and seeding trials at the Iden site of the Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Gartenbau (1) minimally invasive seeding techniques for the ecological enhancement of species-poor ryegrass stands are being investigated and (2) different seeding dates are being tested.

  Since the introduction of diasporas by plowing represents a significant intervention in the soil structure, alternative techniques for improving grassland without plowing are being tested on the „Gehrhof“ site with the aim of developing LRT 6510. The investigations are intended to create a solid data basis and to derive recommendations for the successful development of LRT 6510 from species-poor ryegrass stands.

  Area characteristics:

  Elevation: approx. 25 m above sea level
  Annual precipitation: 541 mm
  Annual temperature: 8.9 °C

  The following disturbance and seeding variants are being tested on the „Gehrhof“ site:

  • Slitting + seeding
  • Milling grooves + seeding
  • Milling + seeding
  • Control + seeding
  • Control

  The establishment of target species and the effects of different disturbance intensities during sowing on vegetation development and soil nutrient balance are being scientifically investigated. To this end, vegetation surveys are carried out twice a year before each use, yield shares are estimated, feed analyses are performed, and soil samples are taken.

  In September 2020, a species-rich mixture of native seeds was sown on the „Gehrhof“ area, which is mowed twice a year, in accordance with the different disturbance and sowing variants, and rolled with a Cambridge roller.

  

  

  

  

  

  

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  On the grazed area „Beverlake,“ the establishment success of a late sowing (sown in September 2020) is compared with the establishment success of an early sowing (sown in March/April 2021). The scientific investigations follow the same procedure as in the „Gehrhof“ experiment.

  Just a few weeks after sowing, seedlings of a number of target species were identified on the plots of the trial areas.

  

  

  

  

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• Reintroduction, management, and revitalization of populations of the responsibility species Dactylorhiza majalis

  The small-scale wet and marshy meadows of the Karstlandschaft Südharz Biosphere Reserve, with their recent and extinct occurrences of the orchid species Dactylorhiza majalis (broad-leaved marsh orchid), were already the subject of investigation in the NaturGrüST project.

  In order to further develop recommendations for the nature conservation-friendly use of wet meadows and marshes where Dactylorhiza majalis occurs, as well as recommendations for the reintroduction and population strengthening of the species, the „Struthwiese“ (management trial) and „Rote Wiese“ (reintroduction trial) trials, which have been running since 2017, will be continued.

  Knowledge gained to date on the germination behavior of Dactylorhiza majalis is being expanded through an experimental germination trial. Furthermore, measures for the reintroduction of Dactylorhiza majalis are being implemented on three selected wet meadows, and populations with low numbers of individuals are being strengthened. The aim is to improve the conservation status of the species in the biosphere reserve and to create conditions for the manageability of use-dependent wet and marshy meadows.

  

  

  Dactylorhiza majalis – Experimental management trial “Struthwiese”

  Area characteristics:

  Elevation: approx. 422 m above sea level
  Annual precipitation: 500-700 mm
  Annual temperature: 7-7.8 ˚C

  Since 2017, the effects of five different management variants on the orchid species Dactylorhiza majalis have been tested in the eastern part of the Karstlandschaft Südharz Biosphere Reserve near Wettelrode.

  The fully randomized plot trial includes the following management variants of different types, intensities, and timing:

  • One-year waiver of use
  • Mulching
  • Single cut (early mowing before flowering)
  • Single cut (summer mowing at seed maturity)
  • Two cuts (early mowing + late mowing)

  

  

  Success is monitored annually by conducting vegetation surveys. In addition, individuals of Dactylorhiza majalis are counted and population biology characteristics are recorded.

  Accompanying the management trial, a germination trial was set up to determine the germination rate of Dactylorhiza majalis and to draw conclusions about the significance of weather influences. For this purpose, in July 2020, seed trays filled with seeds from the local population were placed in the top soil layer. For regular germination checks, individual seed frames are removed and examined under a microscope.

  

  Dactylorhiza majalis – Experimental reintroduction project “Rote Wiese”

  Area characteristics:

  Elevation: approx. 379 m above sea level
  Annual precipitation: 500-700 mm
  Annual temperature: 7-7.9 ˚C

  In 2017, an experiment was set up on a second test site in the eastern part of the biosphere reserve (“Rote Wiese”) to actively reintroduce Dactylorhiza majalis. The aim here is to investigate the conditions under which Dactylorhiza majalis can be successfully established through sowing. The test area is subject to the land management practices used to date (single mowing in July with removal of the mown material). As Dactylorhiza majalis occurs in the area with a few individuals, it can generally be assumed that the site is suitable for the species.

  The reintroduction attempt comprises six different disturbance and seeding variants:

  • Sod cutting flat
  • Sod cutting flat + seeding
  • Sod cutting deep
  • Sod cutting deep + seeding
  • Without sod cutting
  • Without sod cutting + seeding

  Since 2018, success has been monitored annually through vegetation surveys. At regular intervals, seedlings of Dactylorhiza majalis are sought out and their establishment and further development documented.

  

  

  Dactylorhiza majalis – Success monitoring on 10 areas sown in 2018

  In late summer 2018, as part of the NaturGrüST project, Dactylorhiza majalis seeds were sown on 10 wet and marshy meadows in the South Harz Karst Landscape Biosphere Reserve with the aim of reintroducing and strengthening the population. As an alternative disturbance method to the significantly more invasive sod cutting (Struthwiese management trial), turning the topsoil before sowing is being tested.

  

  

  Dactylorhiza majalis – Implementation of measures (reintroduction/population reinforcement on three wet meadows)

  Dactylorhiza majalis is to be reintroduced or populations with low numbers of individuals strengthened in three meadows in the Karstlandschaft Südharz Biosphere Reserve. The meadows are often unused or mulched meadows characterized by tall vegetation and dense litter layers. In addition to directly improving the conservation status of the species, measures are therefore being implemented to promote and reintroduce Dactylorhiza majalis, and the initiation of land use or changes in land use is being organized.

  The first measures were implemented in July 2020. To ensure long-term manageability and create suitable habitat conditions for the target species, trees and shrubs were removed, vegetation was mowed, litter was removed and transported away from the area.

  

  

  

  

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  For the sowing of Dactylorhiza majalis, seeds were harvested from a nearby population rich in individuals and introduced into small disturbed areas of the prepared wet meadow in August 2020. Seedlings are searched for at regular intervals and their establishment and further development are documented.

   

  

• project archive

  Information on sustainable development and nature conservation-oriented management optimization of FFH habitat type 6510 and populations of the species of concern Dactylorhiza majalis (broad-leaved marsh orchid) in Saxony-Anhalt from the previous project can be found here.