How Luxembourg is bringing biodiversity back to its fields
Ales Krivec, Unsplash
On 10 June, the Minister of Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, and SICONA's Head of Science, Dr Simone Schneider, presented the long-term programme "Strategy for the conservation and restoration of biodiverse grasslands in Luxembourg 2020-2030". The document includes 10 strategic objectives and almost 100 specific measures that aim to protect one of the most important but vulnerable elements of the rural landscape - the meadow.
Extensively used grasslands are not just fields. They act as natural water filters, store carbon in the soil, regulate the microclimate and provide shelter for rare plant and animal species. However, most of these grassland ecosystems in Luxembourg are in danger of disappearing - due to intensive farming, urbanisation and the loss of traditional landscape management practices.
Over 300 hectares of grassland have been restored over the past two decades. Scientifically proven methods are used: from sowing native seeds to biodiversity-friendly mowing (so-called Mahdgutübertragung). Everything takes place at strictly defined times of the year, taking into account the climatic conditions and the subsequent scientific monitoring of the results.
The real effect is not immediately visible: it may take several years before the typical ecosystem mix of species is restored. However, the result is worth the wait - the variegated meadows bring insects, birds and many other inhabitants back to life.
A key condition for such meadows to function is the avoidance of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. To motivate farmers, the state has provided financial compensation through the Biodiversitätsverordnung, a biodiversity regulation that supports voluntary conservation efforts.
The format of the co-operation is a contractual conservation approach (Vertragsnaturschutz) in which the farmer is paid for sustainable activities. This enables not only landscape conservation, but also a change in the approach to agricultural practice itself.
Meadow restoration works take place every year from April to October with the support of the Ministry, SICONA experts and in co-operation with local communities. Private land owners and municipalities provide areas for restoration.
The grassland programme is part of the EU's overall commitment to restoring natural ecosystems - including the renaturalisation law adopted at EU level. Luxembourg has already set ambitious targets in its national nature conservation plan and is now actively putting them into practice.
