The European BioDivERSA project investigates frequently used agro-environmental and climate-environmental measures for their added value in conserving and promoting biodiversity in agricultural landscapes. In particular, the combination of hedges and flower strips is in the foreground and is set concerning agricultural practice as follows: “Is it more beneficial for biodiversity and natural pest control to create a flower strip along a hedge or a field margin strip?”.
What has happened so far
ConservES, a collaborative effort that started on 1 March 2023 with partners from France, Belgium, Germany and the Czech Republic, is making significant strides. The project operates in so-called living labs, fostering close cooperation with agriculture, associations, the public, business and science representatives. On October 16 and 17, the project participants met at the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg to discuss the project's progress and plan the upcoming activities until the end of the project in 2026. Work to date in Germany includes designing and implementing the field trials in 2023 and 2024 in close cooperation with the local participants. In the early summer of 2023, so-called BioBlitzes were carried out in all partner countries, allowing interested citizens and researchers to engage in discourse, take a closer look at nature and record many species themselves. Exciting impressions of the BioBlitz in Würzburg can be found here.
Current status
The first field season has been completed, and most collected samples have already been sorted. Identifying slugs (pests in agricultural systems), ground beetles, and spiders (predatory arthropods that contribute to pest control) is currently in full swing. Furthermore, interviews with researchers and practice partners of the project were conducted this year and are presently being analysed. They are intended to provide insights into the experiences of those involved in the living labs and with the protection of biodiversity.
Work on a further work package is also gathering pace. This work package includes the development of indices and scenarios that will help to communicate and disseminate the results.
Outlook
The first ecological and social science data collection results are expected in 2025. Once the consortium has processed them, they will be communicated and disseminated with recommendations for practice and policy and published in scientific publications. We will, of course, also report on the results here.
Another exciting development is the upcoming biodiversity survey next year. This will be done in some of the ConservES areas in Belgium, Germany, and France. In addition, interested parties can participate in BioBlitz events again in the partner countries and experience the interplay between biodiversity and agricultural practice. In Germany, this will once again take place in the Würzburg area. The date and program will be announced here and on LinkedIn. Another exciting project year lies ahead. For more information and the latest news, follow us on LinkedIn.