Heiligenberg/Witten. A collaboration between plant sociology scientists and Demeter.
Agriculture depends on rich biodiversity to survive in the long term. Ironically, the mainstream practices of the agricultural sector are one of the main reasons for a worrying global loss of biodiversity. Collaborations such as the Initiative for New Crops (Initiative für neue Kulturpflanzen) and the German producer association Demeter MilchBauern Süd [Demeter Milk Farmers South] offer hope. Since 2022, the collaboration has created more than 400 new organic zones on 40 Demeter farms in the Lake Constance region. The ongoing project aims to work closely with farmers to create habitats for native wild and cultivated plants and wildlife around their farms. The ten-biotope concept of plant sociologist Hans-Christoph Vahle, who has defined ten characteristic areas that are part of a diverse natural habitat, is leading the way. Accompanied by the Academy for Applied Vegetation Science (Akademie für Angewandte Vegetationskunde) founded by Vahle, inventories of the flora and fauna are first carried out, followed by the development and implementation of planting and maintenance concepts.
More “10 Biotope Concept” in Action
Translation Charles Cross
Picture Palle Knudsen
