Practical workshop “Promoting biodiversity at the edge of the meadow forest”
Where the forest ends, a different life for animals and plants usually begins - forest edges often offer varied structures in a small space and are therefore important home for many animal and plant species that are now endangered.
Meadows and forest edges - habitats full of surprises
From the delicate wildflower to the hazelnut bush to the mighty fir trees - the connection of two or more habitats makes the forest edge unique in its diversity. The transition from forest to adjacent meadow creates numerous interactions with, for example, different light and shade distribution or the availability of heat and moisture. As a rule, this results in a huge range of possible uses for a wide variety of animals and plants, from habitats to places of retreat and food supply to nesting sites, so that the next generation is secured.
Wild bees, ants or warmth-loving lizards and snakes prefer sunny slopes with little vegetation. Beetles breed in dead or ailing wood of various shrubs and trees. Bats use the airspace to hunt. Birds nest and breed at the edge of the forest or use the forest fringes, which are rich in prey, to obtain food, and the deer use and appreciate the cover of the forest and bushes.
Ideal-typical forest edges are becoming rare
Typically, forest edges have a much higher biodiversity and number of species. Forest dwellers meet meadow dwellers, and then there are also species that specialize on the edge of the forest itself. The preservation and care of forest edges are essential for climate and species protection. But in many places there is simply not enough space. Forests abut roads and settlements. In some places the herb and shrub layer is kept short. In addition, the cost of maintaining the edge of the forest usually does not cover the costs. We are all the more proud of our WOERLE farmers, who undertake the extensive forest work for the benefit of people, animals and the environment.
The WOERLE farmers as active living space designers
In November, despite the pouring rain and cold, 30 participants did not let themselves be stopped from getting started. As part of the federal, state and EU-funded project "We builders for diversity", in which WOERLE is a project partner, our farmers together with the ÖKL and under the direction of Dr. Wolfram Adelmann (Bavarian Academy for Nature Conservation and Landscape Management) is concerned with what can be done at the edge of the forest - on meadow patches that are impractical to manage - for biodiversity. To warm up, there was a guided tour of the Wildshut brewery. Many thanks to the speakers and Mr. Fletschberger from the Salzburg Chamber of Agriculture and Mr. Eiblhuber from the District Chamber of Farmers Braunau for this great training. And of course thanks to the team Stiegl Gut Wildshut for the great management.
