Historisch altes Grünland – Bedeutung und Bewirtschaftung aus Naturschutzsicht

Abstract

Within the framework of the model and demonstration project "Identification and Conservation of Historically Old Grassland", various areas in the administrative district of Tübingen were identified as historically old grassland. These areas are potentially suitable as genetic conservation areas for grassland. The investigated areas include limestone grasslands (especially juniper heaths) and (species-rich) smooth oat meadows on the Swabian Alb as well as wet meadows and moor grass meadows in Upper Swabia. The low calcareous grasslands investigated are protected biotopes § 30 BNatschG and habitat types according to Annex I of the FFH Directive (FFH-LRT). They are of great importance for the protection of both plant and animal species. Changing economic conditions in agriculture and nitrogen inputs via the air lead to changes in the vegetation, to which a specific care management (contractual nature conservation) has to respond. Species-rich smooth oat meadows are protected as FFH-LRT. The statewide and nationwide conservation status is poor. The importance for animal nutrition has been declining for decades. The conservation of the areas is therefore carried out through special subsidies and contractual nature conservation. Wet meadows are protected as biotopes according to § 30 BNatschG. They typically occur in floodplains or on fen sites and are usually very species-rich in floristic terms. The agricultural importance is very low today; therefore, the management is predominantly carried out by contractual nature conservation. Pipe grass litter meadows are protected as biotopes by the NatschG BW and as FFH-LRT. They are very important for the protection of species. In the past, they were also widespread on alternating mineral sites, but today they occur almost exclusively on moor soils in Upper Swabia. As oligotrophic habitats, they are highly endangered by Genetische Erhaltungsgebiete für Wildpflanzen für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft – Fachtagung 2019 56 Julius-Kühn-Archiv, 466, 2020 eutrophication. Due to bog degradation, they can no longer be preserved on many lowland bog sites in the long term. For all historically old grasslands investigated, there are major shifts in the species composition. These can only be partially compensated through adapted management.