The communities of dry marginal pastures and in swamp forests and their numerous relicts -all rich in species- are classified as types of ecosystems with a high priority as to conservation and development. Their continued existence often depends on extensive land-use, which is often not compatible with modern land-use systems. So it is crucial to acquire a sound knowledge of the local habitat factors determining the vegetation, the survival and dispersal strategies of typical species, and their regeneration potential in order

1. to suggest methods of substitutional land-use
2. to come to transferable conclusions about safeguarding the remaining plant populations

Projects

• Extensive grazing in the Northwest German valley of the river Eider
• FFH-impact assessment and development of a landscape plan for the BAB (motor-way) 143, Western by-pass of Halle
• Home range, habitat use and survival probabilities of lapwing families on grassland in North Friesian polders