TY - JOUR A1 - Vogel, Sebastian A1 - Bönecke, Eric A1 - Kling, Charlotte A1 - Kramer, Eckart A1 - Lück, Katrin A1 - Nagel, Anne A1 - Philipp, Golo A1 - Rühlmann, Jörg A1 - Schröter, Ingmar A1 - Gebbers, Robin T1 - Base Neutralizing Capacity of Agricultural Soils in a Quaternary Landscape of North-East Germany and Its Relationship to Best Management Practices in Lime Requirement Determination JF - Agronomy N2 - Despite being a natural soil-forming process, soil acidification is a major agronomic challenge under humid climate conditions, as soil acidity influences several yield-relevant soil properties. It can be counterbalanced by the regular application of agricultural lime to maintain or re-establish soil fertility and to optimize plant growth and yield. To avoid underdose as well as overdose, lime rates need to be calculated carefully. The lime rate should be determined by the optimum soil pH (target pH) and the response of the soil to lime, which is described by the base neutralizing capacity (BNC). Several methods exist to determine the lime requirement (LR) to raise the soil pH to its optimum. They range from extremely time-consuming equilibration methods, which mimic the natural processes in the soil, to quick tests, which rely on some approximations and are designed to provide farmers with timely and cost-efficient data. Due to the higher analytical efforts, only limited information is available on the real BNC of particular soils. In the present paper, we report the BNC of 420 topsoil samples from Central Europe (north-east Germany), developed on sediments from the last ice age 10,000 years ago under Holocene conditions. These soils are predominantly sandy and low in humus, but they exhibit a huge spatial variability in soil properties on a small scale. The BNC was determined by adding various concentrations of Ca(OH)2 and fitting an exponential model to derive a titration curve for each sample. The coefficients of the BNC titration curve were well correlated with soil properties affecting soil acidity and pH buffer capacity, i.e., pH, soil texture and soil organic matter (SOM). From the BNC model, the LRs (LRBNC) were derived and compared with LRVDLUFA based on the standard protocol in Germany as established by the Association of German Agricultural Analytic and Research Institutes (VDLUFA). The LRBNC and LRVDLUFA correlated well but the LRVDLUFA were generally by approximately one order of magnitude higher. This is partly due to the VDLUFA concept to recommend a maintenance or conservation liming, even though the pH value is in the optimum range, to keep it there until the next lime application during the following rotation. Furthermore, the VDLUFA method was primarily developed from field experiments where natural soil acidification and management practices depressed the effect of lime treatment. The BNC method, on the other hand, is solely based on laboratory analysis with standardized soil samples. This indicates the demand for further research to develop a sound scientific algorithm that complements LRBNC with realistic values of annual Ca2+ removal and acidification by natural processes and N fertilization. KW - soil acidity KW - pH buffer capacity KW - soil-base titration KW - titration curve Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-3370 SN - 2073-4395 VL - 10 IS - 6 PB - MDPI ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tanneberger, Franziska A1 - Birr, Friedrich A1 - Couwenberg, John A1 - Kaiser, Moritz A1 - Luthardt, Vera A1 - Nerger, Monique A1 - Pfister, Sonja A1 - Oppermann, Rainer A1 - Zeitz, Jutta A1 - Beyer, Colja A1 - van der Linden, Sebastian A1 - Wichtmann, Wendelin A1 - Närmann, Felix T1 - Saving soil carbon, greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity and the economy: paludiculture as sustainable land use option in German fen peatlands JF - Regional Environmental Change N2 - Peatlands in the European Union are largely drained for agriculture and emit 25% of the total agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Drainage-based peatland use has also negative impacts on water quality, drinking water provision and biodiversity. Consequently, key EU environmental policy objectives include the rewetting of all drained peatlands as an essential nature-based solution. Rewetting of peatlands can be combined with site-adapted land use, so-called paludiculture. Paludiculture produces biomass from wet and rewetted peatlands under conditions that maintain the peat body, facilitate peat accumulation and can provide many of the ecosystem services associated with natural, undrained peatlands. The biomass can be used for a wide range of traditional and innovative food, feed, fibre and fuel products. Based on examples in Germany, we have analysed emerging paludiculture options for temperate Europe with respect to greenhouse gas fluxes, biodiversity and indicative business economics. Best estimates of site emission factors vary between 0 and 8 t CO2eq ha−1 y−1. Suitability maps for four peatland-rich federal states (76% of total German peatland area) indicate that most of the drained, agriculturally used peatland area could be used for paludiculture, about one-third of the fen area for any paludiculture type. Fen-specific biodiversity benefits from rewetting and paludiculture, if compared to the drained state. Under favourable conditions, paludiculture can be economically viable, but costs and revenues vary considerably. Key recommendations for large-scale implementation are providing planning security by paludiculture spatial planning, establishing best practice sites and strengthening research into crops, water tables and management options. KW - Agriculture; Biodiversity; Ecosystem services; Greenhouse gases; Mitigation; Organic soil Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5003 SN - 1436-3798 SN - 1436-378X VL - 22 PB - Springer Nature ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Amblard, Laurence A1 - Mann, Carsten T1 - Understanding collective action for the achievement of EU water policy objectives in agricultural landscapes: Insights from the Institutional Design Principles and Integrated Landscape Management approaches JF - Environmental Science & Policy N2 - This paper aims to identify drivers and barriers to the achievement of EU water policy objectives in the agricultural sector by adopting an institutional perspective on water quality management at the landscape level. We apply a conceptual framework combining Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) and Institutional Design Principles (IDP) perspectives to analyze cooperation initiatives involving water suppliers and agricultural stakeholders to protect drinking water catchments from agricultural diffuse pollution. Three cases representing different forms of cooperation in rural landscapes in France were investigated on the basis of primary data collected at the local, water-basin and national levels. The results show that the success of multi-stakeholder collective action depends on both local factors such as characteristics of the water resource and stakeholders (knowledge, resources, trust and social capital) and on factors linked to the EU and national water and agricultural policy frameworks. In addition to the identification of drivers of and constraints on the implementation of EU water policy in agricultural landscapes, the analysis highlights the conceptual added value in combining the IDP and ILM approaches to understand policy implementation processes at the landscape level. KW - EU Water Framework Directive; Diffuse pollution; Institutional Design Principles (IDP); Integrated Landscape Management (ILM); Social-ecological systems; Landscape perspective Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5017 SN - 1462-9011 SN - 1873-6416 IS - 125 SP - 76 EP - 86 PB - Elsevier ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Missall, Siegmund A1 - Abliz, Abdulla A1 - Halik, Ümüt A1 - Thevs, Niels A1 - Welp, Martin T1 - Trading Natural Riparian Forests for Urban Shelterbelt Plantations—A Sustainability Assessment of the Kökyar Protection Forest in NW China JF - Water N2 - Cities at the fringe of the Taklimakan desert in NW China are prone to dust and sand storms with serious consequences for human well-being. The Kökyar Protection Forest was established in the 1980s as an ecological engineering project with the intent of protecting the city of Aksu, NW China, from these impacts. It is designed as a combination of poplar shelterbelts and orchards, irrigated by river water from the Aksu River, the main tributary of the Tarim River. Prevalent literature describes it as an afforestation project for combatting desertification with manifold positive effects for the economic, social, and environmental dimension of sustainable development. This paper sets out to challenge these claims by a sustainability assessment in which the plantation is examined from a broader perspective, embedding it to the wider context of social and environmental problems in South Xinjiang. Methods comprise evapotranspiration calculations, interviews, a socioeconomic household survey, stakeholder dialogues, and literature research. Results affirm its economic sustainability, but see a mixed record for the social sphere. From the nature conservation point of view, it has to be classified as unsustainable because its high irrigation water consumption results in the downstream desiccation and desertification of natural riparian forests along the Tarim River, causing a forest loss in the downstream area twice the size of the forest gain in the upstream area. There is a trade-off between artificial shelterbelt plantations for urban ecosystem services on the one hand side, and natural riparian forests and their biodiversity on the other hand side. The paper recommends restricting agricultural extension, and using locally adapted less water consuming agroforestry schemes to protect urban dwellers from dust stress. KW - Central Asia; Tarim River; shelterbelt; Tugai; desertification; sustainability; afforestation; ecosystem services; ecological engineering Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5022 SN - 2073-4441 IS - 10(3) ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Martens, Dörte A1 - Molitor, Heike T1 - Play in appropriate natural environments to support child development JF - PsyEcology : Bilingual Journal of Environmental Psychology / Revista Bilingüe de Psicología Ambiental N2 - Nature experiences are important aspects in the development of children, with positive effects on the physical, mental and social level. Nature experience areas, that is, play areas with natural elements only, instead of constructed play elements, address the aim to support child development. This article analyses the effects of three nature experience areas in a metropolitan area, compared with three playgrounds serving as control areas. In a quasi-experimental design, behaviour observations on play behaviour and autonomy of children playing in either nature experience areas or control playgrounds were conducted in 2017. Results show that the play of children in the nature experience areas was more complex than that of those on the playground. The frequencies of children playing in nature experience areas are lower than on the playground. The autonomous behaviour, measured by social interactions, the involvement of adults and an autonomous mobility, shows a differentiated picture between the three areas. Natural experience areas could provide important aspects to support child developments, and improvements are being discussed. T2 - Fomento del desarrollo infantil mediante el juego en entornos naturales apropiados KW - nature experience; child development; play; urban design; exploration KW - experiencias en la naturaleza; desarrollo infantil; juego; diseño urbano; exploración Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-5034 SN - 2171-1976 SN - 1989-9386 VL - 11 IS - 3 SP - 363 EP - 396 PB - Taylor & Francis ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Vogel, Sebastian A1 - Bönecke, Eric A1 - Kling, Charlotte A1 - Kramer, Eckart A1 - Lück, Katrin A1 - Philipp, Golo A1 - Rühlmann, Jörg A1 - Schröter, Ingmar A1 - Gebbers, Robin T1 - Direct prediction of site-specific lime requirement of arable fields using the base neutralizing capacity and a multi-sensor platform for on-the-go soil mapping JF - Precision Agriculture N2 - Liming agricultural fields is necessary for counteracting soil acidity and is one of the oldest operations in soil fertility management. However, the best management practice for liming in Germany only insufficiently considers within-field soil variability. Thus, a site-specific variable rate liming strategy was developed and tested on nine agricultural fields in a quaternary landscape of north-east Germany. It is based on the use of a proximal soil sensing module using potentiometric, geoelectric and optical sensors that have been found to be proxies for soil pH, texture and soil organic matter (SOM), which are the most relevant lime requirement (LR) affecting soil parameters. These were compared to laboratory LR analysis of reference soil samples using the soil’s base neutralizing capacity (BNC). Sensor data fusion utilizing stepwise multi-variate linear regression (MLR) analysis was used to predict BNC-based LR (LRBNC) for each field. The MLR models achieved high adjusted R2 values between 0.70 and 0.91 and low RMSE values from 65 to 204 kg CaCO3 ha−1. In comparison to univariate modeling, MLR models improved prediction by 3 to 27% with 9% improvement on average. The relative importance of covariates in the field-specific prediction models were quantified by computing standardized regression coefficients (SRC). The importance of covariates varied between fields, which emphasizes the necessity of a field-specific calibration of proximal sensor data. However, soil pH was the most important parameter for LR determination of the soils studied. Geostatistical semivariance analysis revealed differences between fields in the spatial variability of LRBNC. The sill-to-range ratio (SRR) was used to quantify and compare spatial LRBNC variability of the nine test fields. Finally, high resolution LR maps were generated. The BNC-based LR method also produces negative LR values for soil samples with pH values above which lime is required. Hence, the LR maps additionally provide an estimate on the quantity of chemically acidifying fertilizers that can be applied to obtain an optimal soil pH value. KW - Proximal soil sensing KW - Lime requirement KW - Precision farming KW - Sensor data fusion KW - Spatial variability KW - Sensitivity analysis Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4140 SN - 1385-2256 SN - 1573-1618 VL - 23 IS - 1 SP - 127 EP - 149 PB - Springer US ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sabatini, Francesco Maria A1 - Bluhm, Hendrik A1 - Kun, Zoltan A1 - Aksenov, Dmitry A1 - Atauri, José A. A1 - Buchwald, Erik A1 - Burrascano, Sabina A1 - Cateau, Eugénie A1 - Diku, Abdulla A1 - Duarte, Inês Marques A1 - Fernández López, Ángel B. A1 - Garbarino, Matteo A1 - Grigoriadis, Nikolaos A1 - Horváth, Ferenc A1 - Keren, Srđan A1 - Kitenberga, Mara A1 - Kiš, Alen A1 - Kraut, Ann A1 - Ibisch, Pierre L. A1 - Larrieu, Laurent A1 - Lombardi, Fabio A1 - Matovic, Bratislav A1 - Melu, Radu Nicolae A1 - Meyer, Peter A1 - Midteng, Rein A1 - Mikac, Stjepan A1 - Mikoláš, Martin A1 - Mozgeris, Gintautas A1 - Panayotov, Momchil A1 - Pisek, Rok A1 - Nunes, Leónia A1 - Ruete, Alejandro A1 - Schickhofer, Matthias A1 - Simovski, Bojan A1 - Stillhard, Jonas A1 - Stojanovic, Dejan A1 - Szwagrzyk, Jerzy A1 - Tikkanen, Olli-Pekka A1 - Toromani, Elvin A1 - Volosyanchuk, Roman A1 - Vrška, Tomáš A1 - Waldherr, Marcus A1 - Yermokhin, Maxim A1 - Zlatanov, Tzvetan A1 - Zagidullina, Asiya A1 - Kuemmerle, Tobias T1 - European primary forest database v2.0 JF - Scientific Data N2 - Primary forests, defined here as forests where the signs of human impacts, if any, are strongly blurred due to decades without forest management, are scarce in Europe and continue to disappear. Despite these losses, we know little about where these forests occur. Here, we present a comprehensive geodatabase and map of Europe’s known primary forests. Our geodatabase harmonizes 48 different, mostly field-based datasets of primary forests, and contains 18,411 individual patches (41.1 Mha) spread across 33 countries. When available, we provide information on each patch (name, location, naturalness, extent and dominant tree species) and the surrounding landscape (biogeographical regions, protection status, potential natural vegetation, current forest extent). Using Landsat satellite-image time series (1985–2018) we checked each patch for possible disturbance events since primary forests were identified, resulting in 94% of patches free of significant disturbances in the last 30 years. Although knowledge gaps remain, ours is the most comprehensive dataset on primary forests in Europe, and will be useful for ecological studies, and conservation planning to safeguard these unique forests. KW - Biodiversity KW - Conservation biology KW - Forest ecology Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4173 SN - 2052-4463 VL - 8 PB - Nature Publishing Group UK ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Spies, Michael A1 - Zuberi, Mehwish A1 - Mählis, Madlen A1 - Zakirova, Aksana A1 - Alff, Henryk A1 - Raab, Christoph T1 - Towards a participatory systems approach to managing complex bioeconomy interventions in the agrarian sector JF - Sustainable Production and Consumption N2 - Calls for a “sustainable bioeconomy” have recently begun to proliferate in academic and political circles as an answer to global challenges such as the rapidly increasing world population and changing environmental conditions due to climate change. To build economies that rely on various sources of biomass rather than on fossil-based resources, bioeconomy policies highlight a need to explore ways in which productivity in agriculture can be increased. While the focus on productivity growth has largely been inspired by technology optimism and modernisation thinking, the local knowledge of farmers and other rural stakeholders – as a means of contributing to socially and ecologically more sustainable bioeconomy pathways – has frequently been sidelined. This perspective article proposes and discusses a participatory approach to strategy formulation and evaluation in agricultural transformation and bioeconomy development that is based on the methodological toolbox MARISCO (Adaptive MAnagement of vulnerability and RISk at COnservation sites). By offering a means of developing a comprehensive knowledge map, bringing together both insights and perspectives from diverse local stakeholders, this approach enables a systemic evaluation of the social and ecological effects of intervention strategies on the ground. The article outlines the benefits – and challenges – of such a systemic and participatory approach and briefly sketches how the results can be utilised in more sustainable governance processes in the development of bioeconomy strategies. We conclude that our adapted MARISCO methodology offers a viable tool to make more visible the perspectives and knowledge of biomass producers for policymakers and to contribute to a much-needed discursive shift in bioeconomy debates towards more holistic and inclusive perspectives. KW - Bio-based economy; Participatory methods; Social-ecological systems; Intensification; Agriculture Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4205 SN - 2352-5509 IS - 31 SP - 557 EP - 568 PB - Elsevier ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Braun, Charis Linda A1 - Bitsch, Vera A1 - Häring, Anna Maria T1 - Developing agri-food value chains: learning networks between exploration and exploitation JF - The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension N2 - Purpose The present study explores the development of agri-food value chains from an organizational learning perspective, using the German organic food sector as an example. We illustrate how the development of local value chains unfolds over time and outline how facilitation can support this process. Design/methodology/approach The study used an action research design to facilitate change in practice and to create new knowledge. Data were collected through qualitative interviews, participant observation, and documentation of workshops and other learning activities. Data analysis and conceptualization followed a grounded theory approach. Findings The development process of value chains occurs in three phases, from joint exploration of the problem, through a phase of experimentation and implementation, to further cultivation of established collaborations among value chain actors. The development process oscillates between intra- and inter-organizational learning as well as explorative and exploitative activities. Practical implications The results of this study can help to understand and to further professionalize the practice of value chain development and provide guidance for facilitators and other stakeholder working in this field. Theoretical implications By drawing on the theory of exploration and exploitation, the study enhances the understanding of value chains collaboration in an inter-organizational setting. The study conceptualizes the development of agri-food value chains and the role of facilitators in the process. Originality/value There is little research to date that considers the development of value chains as a collaborative learning process. The presented grounded theory of local value chain development may inform further research on the transition towards a more sustainable agri-food system. KW - Action research; grounded theory; organizational learning; process facilitation; value chain development; local and organic food Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4700 SN - 1389-224X PB - Taylor & Francis ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Behrendt, Gerlinde A1 - Peter, Sarah A1 - Sterly, Simone A1 - Häring, Anna Maria T1 - Community financing for sustainable food and farming: a proximity perspective JF - Agriculture and Human Values N2 - An increasing number of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the German organic agri-food sector involves citizens through different community financing models. While such models provide alternative funding sources as well as marketing opportunities to SMEs, they allow private investors to combine their financial and ethical concerns by directly supporting the development of a more sustainable food system. Due to the low level of financial intermediation, community financing is characterized by close relations between investors and investees. Against this background, we apply the proximity concept from economic geography to explore spatial and relational aspects of community financing in the German organic agri-food sector. Based on a qualitative multiple case study approach, we find that the relevance of proximity is twofold. While different forms of proximity between SMEs and their potential investors are key success factors, proximity is also considered as one desired outcome of community financing. Furthermore, our results reveal that the extent to which SMEs rely on particular proximity dimensions distinguishes two different approaches to community financing. KW - Proximity; Multiple case study; Crowdfunding; Cooperatives; Citizen shareholder corporations; Profit participation rights Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4711 VL - 39 IS - 3 SP - 1063 EP - 1075 PB - Springer Nature ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Behrendt, Gerlinde A1 - von Münchhausen, Susanne A1 - Häring, Anna Maria T1 - How to fund learning and innovation networks for sustainable agriculture: a conceptual framework JF - The Journal of Agricultural Education and Extension N2 - Purpose Learning and innovation networks for sustainable agriculture (LINSA) are considered drivers of innovation towards a more sustainable agri-food system. However, sustaining long-term funding remains a challenge for many networks. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive conceptualization of how funding relates to LINSA continuation and suggests a classification of relevant funding instruments. Design/Methodology/Approach Being purely conceptual, this paper combines perspectives of strategic management and nonprofit finance with empirical insights from innovation network literature to develop a conceptual framework on LINSA funding. Findings The conceptual framework suggests that thriving LINSA require both an appropriate funding mix, which corresponds with the benefits provided, and an anticipatory utilization of financial resources to build and maintain relevant intangible resources. The availability of funding instruments which incorporate these findings is crucial for successful LINSA. Practical Implications The conceptual framework provides guidance to practitioners and policy makers who reflect on appropriate strategies and instruments for LINSA funding. Theoretical Implications By integrating perspectives from different disciplines, namely the resource-based view and the benefits theory of nonprofit finance, this paper contributes to an increased understanding of funding in network organizations. Originality/Value This is the first paper to offer an explicit conceptualization of how funding relates to LINSA development. It also provides a classification of relevant funding instruments. KW - Learning and innovation network for sustainable agriculture; financial resources; nonprofit funding; benefits theory; resource-based view; conceptual framework Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:eb1-opus-4724 SN - 1389-224X PB - Taylor & Francis ER -