Lupine project

Motivation

There has been a steady decline in species richness in the Central European cultural landscape. The intensification or abandonment of traditional land use are important causes of the widespread decline in species. Particularly in the grasslands of the low mountain regions, secondary succession and the invasion of invasive neophytes following abandonment or change of use lead to dramatic species declines and, as a result, to a deterioration in the quality of mowed material and forage. In the Rhön, the invasive perennial lupine(Lupinus polyphyllus Lindl.) exhibits characteristics that lead to permanent changes in ecosystem processes and functions (e.g. nitrogen input and changes in vegetation structure). L. polyphyllus also contributes to the loss of habitats worthy of protection, such as golden oat meadows and bristlegrass grasslands in particular. This is problematic, as golden oat meadows and bristlegrass grasslands are characterized by a high floristic and faunistic species richness and thus represent special conservation assets.

Aims and approach

As part of two exploration projects (2015-2016), the extent of the current distribution of L. polyphyllus in the Rhön and the potential for the renaturation of species-rich mountain meadows to preserve biodiversity as well as a possible energetic use of the growth are currently being analyzed. This information will be used in the project to develop and test a concept for the permanent restoration and conservation of large areas of species-rich grassland in low mountain regions. In a first phase (24 months), the restoration of mountain meadows through the activation of the seed bank and the transfer of diaspore-containing mowing material will be tested and the dispersal processes of L. polyphyllus will be analyzed at the landscape level. Furthermore, the effects of a cutting regime suitable for the reduction of L. polyphyllus on the bioenergetic utilization of the annual green cuttings of mountain meadows will be investigated and the detection of L. polyphyllus dynamics by remote sensing methods will be tested. The results will be summarized in the form of a prediction model. The dissemination of the findings will be ensured through the establishment of a network with other stakeholders, through the joint development of a brochure and via a project website.

Innovations and perspectives

The focal points are:

• WP 1 - Restitution of mountain meadows invaded by L. polyphyllus through the activation of the seed bank and the transfer of species-rich mown material
• WP 2 - Analysis of the dispersal processes of L. polyphyllus at landscape level
• WP 3 - Energetic utilization of extensive grassland under consideration of L. polyphyllus
• WP 4 - Non-destructive, remote sensing assessment of the timing of cutting measures to control the invasive neophyte L. polyphyllus and its impact on the energetic parameters of grassland stands