WOERLE & HBLA Ursprung start sustainable research project
As part of the extensive sustainability strategy, WOERLE has now taken the next step. In addition to the farmers, you want to work with the HBLA Ursprung specifically involve the next generation in the large-scale climate protection project "WOERLE continues to work". The research project, which is being implemented with students from the agricultural school in Salzburg's Flachgau, is intended to both reduce CO₂ and promote biodiversity.
Research hedge with multiple uses
What is the difference between a newly planted hedge and a normal garden hedge? This "research hedge" was created for the agroforestry system*) optimized - it should create a microclimate for the meadows and arable land in the area and thus help to strengthen the resilience in dry periods or heavy rain events in the future. In addition to the climate-protecting effects, there should also be an additional benefit for farmers. "Agroforestry systems not only contribute to increasing biodiversity, as they provide habitat and food for many different creatures, but also have the advantage of increasing yields on the surrounding land - so they offer a dual benefit for agriculture. This is exactly what we want to check here and use the results to make visible and measurable,” explains Konrad Steiner. For this purpose, the wood growth of the individual hedge types is determined annually in winter using a 3D laser scan - the measurement of the results is initially planned for a period of at least five years.
Working together for climate-resilient agriculture (standing from left): Dir. MMag. Bernhard Stehrer, biologist Prof. Dr. Konrad Steiner (both HBLA Ursprung) and Gerrit Woerle (Managing Director WOERLE), in front the students Johanna Schinwald (left) and Katharina Wirnsperger. Photo: Franz Neumayr
The new hedge consists of four hedge types, namely a wild fruit hedge, an energy wood hedge, a hedge optimized for wild animals and a species diversity XXL hedge. Since native trees and shrubs in particular provide habitat and food for many animals, regional, autochthonous plants - i.e. shrubs that come from wild native plants - were selected for the planting.
Long-term school partnership
Various projects are to be implemented at the Higher Federal College for Agriculture, including through cooperation with local companies. For example, research projects should also serve as topics for diploma theses or the research results from the current project should flow into the teaching content of the next few years. “Practical teaching is an important part of our teaching, and of course research projects are also part of it. We are pleased that in WOERLE we have found a partner with whom we can pursue common goals on the basis of long-term cooperation. At the same time, our business partners are also potential, future employers for our graduates,” explains MMag. Bernhard Stehrer, Director of HBLA Ursprung.
*) In agroforestry systems, trees and other perennial woody plants are established on an agricultural area in order to take advantage of the positive interactions between the two components. The aim is to upgrade the fields economically, ecologically and also in terms of landscape aesthetics.
For example, modern agroforestry systems can improve soil fertility, water quality, biodiversity and the microclimate. On the one hand, soil fertility is increased by more closed nutrient cycles between arable crops and woody plants. On the other hand, more carbon is stored due to leaf fall and dead fine roots as well as root exudates, humus is enriched and the soil quality is improved in the long term.
