In order to test whether we can create synergies between the challenges of water erosion and the loss of biodiversity, a 4-fold replicated plot trial with two different multifunctional wild plant seed mixtures was established on an erosion-prone field near the Bernburg university campus together with German Agricultural Society (DLG e. V.).

For the plot trial the following variants were created

•  grass-dominated variant, consisting of 6 wild grasses and 15 wild forbs (70 % grasses, 30 % forbs)
• forb-dominated variant, consisting of 3 grasses and 27 forbs(30 % grasses, 70 % forbs)
• crop variant (either corn or winter wheat in strip-tillage cultivation)

The goal is to prevent water erosion while providing diverse pollen and nectar sources. Vegetation development, flowering aspect and erosion events are regularly assessed. 

For impressions of the implemented trial, have a look at a short film we shot in summer 2021 (only availablein German) :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUSU5x1GamA&t=5s 

• Measure sheets for biodiversity-promoting measures in the agricultural landscape (as of April 2021)
  • Diversified perennial field margins
  • Perennial flower strips
  • Annual flower strips
  • Protective strips
  • Arable field margins
  • Woody structures
  • Skylark window
  • Measures for upgrading the farm
  • Biodiversity lanes in vineyards
• Practical guide to hems and field borders (2nd edition 2019)
• Instructions for the successful creation and maintenance of perennial flower strips and flower areas with local wild species
• Poster too "Operating plan for biodiversity - a planning and advisory tool for farms " (As of June 2018)
• Poster too "Establishing and maintaining species-rich field margins on productive locations in the Central German dry area " (As of June 2018)
• Poster too "Effects of perennial wild plant flower strips on the floristic and avifaunistic diversity in the agricultural landscape of Saxony-Anhalt" (As of June 2018)