Info: The following article was originally published on the Grassworks blog.
Authors: Vicky Temperton, Line Sturm, Lukas Kuhn, Anita Kirmer, Miriam Wiesmeier
How successful is the restoration of species-rich grassland in Germany? Many of the researchers in the Grassworks project have been working on this question for many years and the Grassworks project was finally launched four years ago, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) via the Research Initiative on the Biodiversity Loss (FEdA).
A successful conclusion and a hopeful day for the restoration of species-rich grassland
The time had finally come at the Grassworks final event, we presented our findings on success factors in the restoration of species-rich meadows and pastures from the perspectives of ecology, economy and social ecology. In the glass hall of the Representation of the State of Lower Saxony in Berlin, we welcomed around 50 participants with the smell of hay, much illustrative material of regional wild plant mixtures and an exciting lecture program. Almost 200 other people also took part in the event online.
Researchers from Grassworks and our invited guests presented and discussed the fascination of grassland, the current state of its restoration and what we can do for species-rich grassland. The well-known journalist Dr. Tanja Busse, who has a great deal of experience in bringing together the topics of agriculture and biodiversity, set the overall framework with her usual sharp mind and charm. The event was opened by Dr. Tanja Busse and Prof. Vicky Temperton, with words on the urgency of bringing biodiversity and agriculture together. Only if we find a way to work together can we find a path to a sustainable future.
Prof. Vicky Temperton, co-project leader with Prof. Anita Kirmer, presented the objectives of the event and the framework of the Grassworks project, followed by an overview of the objectives and projects of the Research Initiative on Biodiversity Loss (FEdA) by Dr. Julian Taffner, head of the central coordination.
Findings from the Grassworks project: Diverse perspectives on multifunctional grassland restoration – grassland can do something!
Prof. Anita Kirmer presented the ecological results of a post-hoc analysis of restoration measures on 121 areas throughout Germany. The aim is to record the ecological success of already restored areas in three different regions along a gradient from north to south in Germany. The comparison with species-rich and degraded reference grasslands impressively demonstrated that the restoration projects assessed were generally very successful. Direct harvesting methods (e.g. hay transfer and direct seed collection) and the sowing of regional wild plant mixtures being the best methods for achieving higher biodiversity. Once the plant species are re-established, the bees and butterflies follow.
Prof. Volker Beckmann added an economic assessment of the profitability of extensive grassland management. Based on the economic data of the managers, his team determined that the average subsidy cannot yet compensate for the additional costs of extensive management.
Konrad Gray then reported on the transdisciplinary work in the real-world laboratories, where the live restoration of species-rich grassland was jointly carried out in direct cooperation between scientists and local stakeholders. In this way, active engagement between stakeholders and with their environment can strengthen diverse and pluralistic values and relationships with each other and with nature. Through strengthened social and socio-ecological ties, not only ecological restoration, but hopefully also long-term sustainable use concepts can be created through close collaboration.
Dr. Michaela Meyer from the German Association for Landscape Conservation (Deutscher Verband für Landschaftspflege, DVL) then presented findings and experiences from a practitioner perspective. She highlighted the recently published practical guide “Creating species-rich meadows and pastures successfully” (that is available free of charge here: https://www.dvl.org/publikationen/dvl-schriftenreihe). It contains information on the legal background, funding opportunities and advice on how to overcome obstacles and challenges.
At the end of the Grassworks session, Prof. Vicky Temperton presented a synthetic view of the results from the whole project, combing ecological, social science and socio-ecological perspectives.
Although the ecological results look very good at first glance, but a nuanced second look shows how important it is to pay attention to the variability in the results and the importance of adequate management practices. The so-called “shifting baseline” syndrome, whereby humans become accustomed to reduced species diversity and are therefore not very concerned about species loss, could play a role here. The species-rich reference grasslands were species-rich, but not as species-rich as fifty or hundred years ago, for example. Thus, the successes on the restored areas may look better than they would with reference from the 1950s. From a social perspective, it is apparent that restoration projects that are managed in a participatory and less top-down manner are more successful (at least in the perception of the participants). Collaboration and co-creation in restoration projects led to an increase in relational values (related to our connections with an object or place) that are important for the strength of connection with the grassland habitat and the motivation to continue. Interestingly, the species-rich grassland is the problem child in the area of biodiversity loss in Europe and, at the same time, the driving force for a transformation towards more diversity.
Biodiversity in meadows and pastures – evidence of our cultural landscape – the result of human-nature relationships
The Grassworks hypothesis
The Grassworks hypothesis seems to have been confirmed: Our findings show that successful grassland restoration is related both to ecological complexity and to beneficial political and social framework conditions.
Our ecologists and the practical know-how of the DVL both recommend the introduction of many native wild plant species, especially wildflowers, and good preparation of the area, i.e. adequate soil disturbance, in order to provide suitable starting conditions for grassland plants species, wild plants that are not competitive under the commonly nutrient rich, fertilized conditions of our farmed landscapes. At the same time, the DVL concluded from collaborative, scientific and practical work that cooperation between farmers and nature conservationists is of great importance. Restoration and conservation of species-rich grassland is much easier and more successful if both groups of stakeholders do not act as antagonists. Rather, if they collaborate as partners in advising and supporting a project and support each other, success is around the corner.
The participants in the concluding panel discussion, Dr. Jürgen Metzner from the DVL, Prof. Sabine Tischew from the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Dr. Julian Taffner from the FEdA program and Steffen Pingen from the Farmers Association at Federal Level, also confirmed that cooperation between stakeholders from nature conservation and agriculture works far better than opposition. Both sides agreed that it would be a good idea for the farmers’ association and the land care association to go to Brussels together. Despite differences, there was a consensus that more efforts were needed to protect and promote grassland ecosystems, but also that the existing concepts, particularly those for rewarding and involving farmers, were not sufficient. Tanja Busse expertly navigated the discussion across the different perspectives brought to the table with a sharp intellect and much charm, and intervened whenever any inconsistencies became apparent.
The research in the real-world laboratories also revealed great unanimity among the participants. The participants also discovered that they shared a diverse appreciation of grassland and exchanged views on the importance of meadows and pastures for them in their home region. Through these consolidated and multi-layered relationships with and around grassland, approaches were developed in the project regions that have sustainably improved the condition and social reputation of species-rich grassland, which will hopefully continue for a long time to come.
A greater understanding and appreciation for each other, between agriculture, nature conservation and society, can thus initiate a transformative change in which grassland as a socio-ecological system produces socially supported biodiversity. A more direct integration into local systems can contribute to (non-)monetary remuneration and thus address the recognized gap between value generation and value creation. This is because the support measures that contribute significantly to profitability are not only often inadequate from a business management perspective, but also too complicated or inflexible for managers and nature conservation goals.
The second part with guest lectures on the multifunctionality of grassland
As an introduction, Prof. Josef Settele, known as a pollinator expert in IPBES (Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services), gave an overall overview of species loss, and the particularly important role of open land and grassland in the loss of plant and animal species, especially in agricultural landscapes. He succinctly emphasized the link between this diversity on open land and the provision of ecosystem services. The potential of nature to contribute to people’s quality of life is continuously decreasing, and the restoration of species-rich ecosystems can significantly counteract this development.
Prof. Eckhard Jedicke from Hochschule Geisenheim University followed with a clear plea for a multifunctionality approach as part of a transformation towards more diversity. Only if the true value of species-rich grassland, its contribution to the common good in a rapidly changing world, are more clearly perceived and appreciated by our society, can we manage a real transformation to more biodiversity.
Finally, Simon Keelan from the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BfN) presented the first key considerations for implementing the EU Restoration Law in relation to grasslands. He made it clear that this legal milestone represents both a great opportunity and a challenge. Here, the core results of projects such as Grassworks will be able to play an important role in improving the planning and implementation on the ground.
This is how it can work …
Dr. Simone Schneider from SICONA Nature Conservation Syndicate in Luxembourg presented the impressive national action plan for the conservation and restoration of species-rich grassland in Luxembourg, characterized by the clear prioritization of necessary measures. In the Luxembourgish approach, each nature conservation authority and organization are provided with the necessary human and financial capacities to achieve ambitious goals and, in particular, to enable personal advice and collaboration with local farmers. In addition, a forum has been established at a high political level in which future positions and strategies in the dialog between agriculture and nature conservation are developed for the national level. A positive outlook for grassland!
Conclusion & Outlook
All in all, it was clear from the results of the Grassworks project, the guest lectures, audience discussions and the panel discussion: species-rich grassland has huge potential! And this requires nature conservation, agriculture, society and politics to pull together. It is also important to raise awareness of the diverse values and relationships relating to species-rich grassland and to make them tangible. That is why not only Grassworks, but also many other academic, political and social initiatives are working to improve compensation and recognition for managing and recreating species-rich grassland. The Grassworks consortium is now preparing a policy brief (Kernforderungen) based on key findings from the project. The presentations, discussions and talks at the Grassworks closing event showed ways and means of how research and practice can work together successfully to protect and restore species-rich grassland and how current approaches can be developed further. Because grassland has much potential. Let’s use this potential!
