Nature conservation in agricultural ecosystems

This book documents major parts of an extensive, multidisciplinary research and developmental project in NE-Germany, entitled „Implementation of nature conservation objectives in an agricultural landscape, exemplified by the Schorfheide-Chorin Biospere Reserve“. The aim was to develop theoretical and illustrated examples of practical methodologies and models on how to integrate nature conservation targets into ordinary farm management. The book describes the basics and main approaches for a scientific-based nature conservation in arable landscapes. For the first time, a comprehensive methodology to integrate important conservation targets into the „normal“ routines of modern agriculture is presented. The concept of quality targets and standards proved to be applicable to conservation objectives in man-used landscapes. The results are of crucial importance in the current discussion on the implementation of environmental targets, and the re-introduction of „regional identity“ into the European Union`s agricultural policies and practice.