Excursion to the agroforestry system in Sieglitz: Together for more biodiversity!
30.10.2024
Last Saturday, we paid a visit to the agroforestry system planted last year in Sieglitz near Lommatzsch (video here) on our excursion. The Lommatzscher Pflege region is known for its good soil, but also for its cleared landscapes. Hardly a tree far and wide. So what can be done to contribute more to biodiversity and a better infrastructure network in the region?
With around 15 conservationists, farmers and other interested parties, we walked from the Herrmann farm to the 1ha agroforestry area on 12ha of fields and discussed the possibilities of an agroforestry system. Five strips of woodland, each with five rows, were planted here in April 2023. The outer rows consist of poplars and the inner row of valuable trees such as wild cherry or Norway maple. The advantage here is that the value woods can continue to grow undisturbed, while the poplars can be harvested every 6 years or so and used for heating, for example. At the moment, the trees are still in the establishment phase and there are currently no intercrops between the rows. In addition, a roe deer has gobbled up a few poplars at the end of the row towards the road, so they will have to be replanted next spring.
What can we learn from the area? Agroforestry systems do not achieve the nature conservation value of a hedge, but can be combined with flower strips or certain tree species to promote biodiversity. Investing in more individual tree protection or fencing is worthwhile, especially if you know what animals are present in your area.
This flexibility and practicality of designing your own agroforestry system was particularly well received by farmers and conservationists. Everyone agreed that more support is needed for the high initial investment costs in this area and that the distribution network must continue to grow.
We will keep at it, because as the saying goes: “The path is made by walking!”.
The excursion was organized by the Meissen regional group of the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU), the German Association for Agroforestry (DeFAF) and the OLGA project.