Overview of Implemented Measures

In spring 2023, the first scrub clearance measures were carried out on a total area of almost 4 hectares in the FFH sites “Hickengrund/Wetterbachtal” near Burbach-Holzhausen and in the “Buchheller Quellgebiet” near Burbach-Lippe. The goal was to reduce shrubs and emerging trees to maintain open habitats and improve conditions for valuable species. Scrub encroachment in open land leads to the loss of valuable habitats, which can only be preserved or restored through clearance.

In winter 2024, scrub clearance in the FFH site "Buchheller-Quellgebiet2 was continued on an additional 6 hectares. Using a walking excavator, open habitats such as Nardus graslands, Molinia meadows, and Hydrophilious tall herb fringe communities were secured and actively promoted.

The protected FFH habitat types in these areas were created and have been maintained through traditional human use, particularly mowing and grazing. Their ecological importance is significant: they provide valuable habitats for numerous species, including our two project target species, the whinchat (Saxicola rubetra) and the violet copper (Lycaena helle). Many other bird and insect species also benefit from these species-rich, extensively managed grasslands.

Pulling Actions

In July 2022, the first action day to control common ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) took place with members of TuS Lippe. Together, 27 participants cleared about 2.7 hectares of species-rich mountain hay meadows from this problematic plant. The hay to be collected is now safe to use again.

Although common ragwort is a native species, it has spread significantly in recent years. The problem is that when the plant is dried, it loses its bitter compounds and is no longer avoided by grazing animals, but eaten. Excessive spread of this toxic plant on meadows makes hay unusable, causing considerable economic damage for farmers. It also poses a problem for nature conservation: when areas are no longer managed due to mass infestations of ragwort, valuable habitats are at risk. Therefore, cooperation between conservation authorities and agricultural stakeholders is essential.

Also in July 2022, another pulling action took place in Burbach-Oberdresselndorf. There, common ragwort was removed from a total of 48 hectares of mountain hay meadows in time before mowing.

On July 1, 2023, a large-scale pulling action followed in the municipalities of Netphen, Burbach (especially Burbach-Lippe), and Freudenberg. A total of 52 volunteers, farmers, and staff from the Biological Station participated to remove the toxic plant from meadows and pastures.

The measures from 2022 had already shown an effect: on the areas treated back then, a clear decline in common ragwort was observed. During the July 2023 action, around 71.5 hectares were managed across the three municipalities.

In 2025, another pulling action was conducted. On about 50 hectares, common ragwort was selectively removed. Since the first measure in 2022, a significant decline in the plant can be observed in Burbach-Lippe: it now represents only about a third to a quarter of the original population from three years ago.

Testing an Aeration Roller

In cooperation with Bochum University, a bachelor thesis on mechanical control of common ragwort was conducted as part of the project.

Titled “Use of an Aeration Roller to Reduce Common Ragwort in a Meadow Community,” Linnea Marie Geurtz submitted her thesis on August 8, 2023.

The study examined the effect of an aeration roller on nutrient availability, vegetation structure, and the occurrence of common ragwort. While there was an increase in mineralized nitrogen (Nmin), no compaction of the vegetation layer was observed. Interestingly, the number of ragwort plants on the treated plots was even higher than on the control plots.

The results suggest that in the first year, this method does not suppress, and may even promote, common ragwort.

Since May 2024, the large-leaved lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus) has been actively controlled in the project area. This invasive species from North America threatens particularly nutrient-poor, species-rich habitats such as nardus grasslands (habitat type 6230), mountain hay meadows (habitat type 6520) and molinia meadows (habitat type 6410), due to its rapid spread and the associated nitrogen enrichment. These habitats rely on low-nutrient conditions and host numerous endangered plant species.

In the FFH site "Buchheller-Quellgebiet", the large-leaved lupine was first recorded in 2024 and poses a direct threat to these valuable habitats. To ensure their long-term preservation, the plants, including their root material, have been completely removed in several targeted actions since then.

In October 2023, targeted measures were implemented in the FFH site "Buchheller-Quellgebiet" to support the conservation of the marsh fritillary butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia). Around 1.000 devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis) plants, serving as larval food, were introduced in 100 planting patches at former flight sites and suitable habitats for reintroduction. The plants originated from a wild seed collection harvested in 2022 from the Buchheller-Quellgebiet and Mückewies nature reserves. Two specialized nurseries propagated the plants in peat-free substrate. Planting was carried out manually with planting spades in 1 m² patches, each consisting of 9–11 individual plants.

For habitat enhancement, collaboration also took place with colleagues from Rhineland-Palatinate. In the Fuchskaute Nature Reserve in the Westerwald district, home to one of the last known populations of the marsh fritillary in the region, an additional habitat patch of approximately 35 m² was established. Here, too, plants from specialized nurseries were used and planted at a density of 9–11 plants per square meter.

In October 2024, two more “habitat patches” were created in the Fuchskaute Nature Reserve. Again, plants from regional wild seed sources, propagated at the Wittgenstein perennial nursery, were used. Two areas of about 60 m² and 40 m² were planted with a total of 1.000 young plants (9–11 plants/m²), marking another step toward restoring a functional habitat for this strictly protected butterfly species.

In May 2024, about four hectares of rotational fallows were established on pastures and mown areas in the FFH site "Buchheller-Quellgebiet". Fences were set up with mobile barriers on the pastures, while specific areas on the meadows were marked out. These areas were left unmown this year to create habitats for ground-nesting birds and to promote insect diversity. At the same time, the fallows make an important contribution to the planned reintroduction of the marsh fritillary butterfly (Euphydryas aurinia), as devil’s-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), the larval food plant of this rare butterfly species, was planted on these plots.

In May 2025, an additional 4.7 hectares were designated as rotational fallows. The goal is to counteract bush encroachment and prevent valuable open habitats from being left to natural succession.

Perches for birds

Also in May 2025, 20 bamboo poles were installed in the FFH site “Buchheller-Quellgebiet” as perches for meadow birds. From these elevated vantage points, the birds can sing to mark their territories and hunt for insects. In particular, these measures aim to support our target species, the whinchat, which returned to our SPA from West Africa in mid-April.

Meadows need to be mown regularly to maintain their ecological functions. However, conventional mowing methods, especially with rotary mowers, pose a significant risk to insects: many are killed.

Meadows can still be managed in an insect-friendly way. Particularly suitable are sickle-bar mowers (single or double blade systems), which work with a horizontal cutting bar and slow driving speed. This avoids the suction of insects that often occurs with rotary mowers. Additional protection is provided by insect scaring devices, which encourage animals to flee before the mower arrives; these can be used regardless of the type of mower.

To promote insect-friendly management in the project area, two sickle-bar mower will be acquired and made available to farmers free of charge. The goal is to actively support the transition from conventional to nature-friendly mowing techniques.

On July 16, 2024, Kersten Maschinenfabrik demonstrated the practical use of double-blade sickle-bar mower in Burbach-Lippe as part of the LIFE project.

The use of ecological mowing techniques is also promoted under contractual conservation schemes by the Chamber of Agriculture. In the SPA, such methods are already partially in use.

Thanks to support from FöNa funding (Nature Conservation Funding Guidelines), we were able to acquire a meadow seed collector as part of the project. In June 2024, the first field trials with the device were successfully conducted. The meadow seed collector brushes seeds directly from grasses and herbs without mowing or threshing. The harvested seeds are then used for targeted overseeding on conversion areas (from spruce tree plantations to grasslands) or nutrient-poor meadows to promote valuable plant populations and increase biodiversity.

This brochure compiles all the key information on how nature conservation and agriculture can work together to promote species-rich grasslands

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