Project title: Protection of Wild Birds in Traditional Orchards of the Central Swabian Alb Foothills and the Central Valley of the Rems River.

Objectives:

The objective of the project is the conservation of breeding birds, mentioned in Annex I, as well as the conservation of migratory birds of Baden-Württemberg, mentioned in the Council Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds (“the Birds Directive”). In this context, the project also supports the objectives of the Sixth Environment Action Programme of the European Commission as well as the objectives of the Göteborg Council.

In the majority of the project area, which covers 450 km² in total, interconnected and sustainably used ecosystems have been developed. This semi-natural cultural landscape serves as habitat for 27 species mentioned in the Birds Directive. Based on the functional concept of the State of Baden-Württemberg regarding the identification and definition of bird sanctuaries, Baden-Württemberg assumes a special responsibility for these species on a national and European level.

The most widely used biotope type, which covers 150 km² of the project area, is the so-called traditional orchard – primary habitat for the Eurasian Wryneck (Jynx torquilla), the Woodchat Shrike (Lanius senator), the Grey-Headed Woodpecker (Picus canus), the Collared Flycatcher (Ficedula albicollis) and the Red-Backed Shrike (Lanius collurio). Among the different types of land use, traditionally managed orchards are a significant part of the central European cultural landscape. They can be compared to agricultural cultivation systems in the south of Europe, such as the Iberian dehesas, olive or almond groves. More than 400 animal and plant species have been detected, making the traditional orchards one of the “hot spots” for Central European biodiversity. The species specifically found in Baden-Württemberg are closely linked to these sustainable orchards due to their high biodiversity. For this reason, the project area plays an important role in the conservation of these species in Central Europe. Additionally, the project benefits the biocenosis as a whole, providing food for the aforementioned bird species, especially during breeding and rearing.

Traditional orchards have been created by man for centuries. In terms of composition, the understory consists mainly of grassland, which is utilized in different ways, especially for sustenance. The orchard also contains many growing trees, including tall fruit trees of varying ages. Old trees with hollows serve as breeding sites and living places for bats and different bird species, such as the Eurasian Wryneck, the Grey-Headed Woodpecker and the Collared Flycatcher. Orchards are generally managed in an environmentally friendly way without using pesticides. Thus, the trophic level is generally low. Furthermore, orchards have many structures, borders and other habitats that provide a living place for insects that become food for birds, bats and other mammals. Due to historic and cultural reasons, most orchards are privately owned or financed by municipalities. In earlier years, families used these orchards to produce food for their personal use or to generate additional income. Due to urbanization, especially after WWII, a vast proportion of these important habitats vanished. Because the agricultural utilization is decreasing and these orchards are often inherited by family members living outside of the region, the future of the remaining areas is in danger. Since traditional orchards are mostly located on hillsides with soils that do not achieve high yields, there is almost no other way in which these areas can be utilized, and especially not a way that would meet the living requirements of the different bird species. When these areas are not used in a traditional way, the habitat is in most cases lost due to land clearing measures, loss of the stand or forestation.

The traditional orchard in the foothills of the Swabian Alb and in the valleys of the Rems and Murr Rivers is in danger due to constantly changing utilization over recent decades. This orchard is one of the largest connected orchards that still exists in all of Central Europe. Changing uses have left partly destroyed, over-aged trees in which the stand is lost and the breeding sites for birds disappear. Furthermore, the habitat quality for many bird species or bats is affected negatively due to the fact that grassland utilization is almost non-existent.

Objective of the project is the conservation of the bird species Collared Flycatcher, Eurasian Wryneck, Woodchat Shrike, Grey-Headed Woodpecker, Red-Backed Shrike and the corresponding biocenosis of the traditional orchards by means of sustainable and long-term revitalization of the habitats and habitat requisites (fruit trees).

The hazard for the bird species mentioned above is closely linked to the economic and social conditions of the traditional orchards. The dramatic decrease of orchard areas requires a multi-layered strategy: Safeguarding existing habitats and integrating the objectives for protecting the environment, especially the objectives of Natura 2000, in the management and conservation of the remaining orchards are the most important approaches.

In order to conserve the mentioned bird species, it is necessary to conserve and develop the overall habitat “traditional orchard” in a sustainable way, by means of a targeted focus on habitat trees in large areas and the creation of orchards that can be utilized well into the future. Furthermore, alternate habitat models will be created, e.g. lightly forested semi-natural landscapes for species mentioned in the Birds Directive. The multi-layered approach is supported by measures to simplify the management of the orchards, by the communication of Natura 2000 and by further financial means.

Actions and means involved:

1. Solution approach: Conservation and revitalization of remaining trees

The objective is to take measures in order to stabilize and prolong the life of the remaining trees. Many of the trees will be cut in a specific way that will serve as a model for after the end of the Life+ project. Incentives will be offered in the future for using the prescribed method. The main measures are: „Revitalisierung von Habitatbäumen auf gemeindeeigenen Flä­chen (C.1)“[Revitalization of habitat trees on areas owned by municipalities (C.1)] and the innovative „Erprobungsphase für eine Baumpflege auf unge­nügend bewirtschafteten Privatgrundstücken (C.4)“ [Test phase for tree conservation on not sufficiently managed privately owned areas (C.4)]. This also creates a field of action for local farmers and entrepreneurs trained for Natura 2000. Such measures make the conservation activities in habitat areas immediately tangible for the local actors. The measures „Fortbildung gewerblicher und privater Obstbaumpflege  (D.3)” [Training in the area of commercial and private fruit tree management (D.3)], and the „Ausbildung lokaler Streuobst-Multiplikatoren (D.4)“ [Creation of local orchard multipliers (D.4)] “ are based on the „naturschutzfach­lichen Leitbild (A.1)“ [Guideline for environmental protection (A.1)] and have all been harmonized.

2. Solution approach: Strengthening Natura-2000-objectives regarding conservation, management, utilization for recreation

One important objective is to integrate all actors and existing local initiatives into the conservation measures for the target bird species and to communicate a common guideline regarding Natura 2000. For this reason, a „naturschutzfachliches Leitbild: Ansprüche der Arten der VSR an ihre Lebensstätten im Bereich der Streuobstlandschaften am Albtrauf (A.1)“ [Guideline for environmental protection: Requirements of the species mentioned in the Birds Directive regarding their habitats in traditional orchards of the Swabian Alb Foothills (A.1)] is currently being developed. The following measures are required for maintaining and managing the areas in a targeted way: „Erfassung und Bewertung der Agrarsozioökonomischen Rah­menbedingungen und deren Auswirkungen auf die Habitatparameter für Wendehals, Hals­bandschnäpper und Rotkopfwürger (A.3)“ [Capturing and evaluating the agro-socioeconomic conditions and their consequences for the habitat parameters for the Eurasian Wryneck, the Collared Flycatcher and the Woodchat Shrike (A.3)] and the „innovative Demonstrationsprojekt exten­siver Obstbau (C.5)“ [innovative demonstration project sustainable orcharding (C.5)].

3. Solution approach: Optimization of maintaining and utilizing habitat areas

The objective is to improve the utilization and management conditions in those areas, which are difficult to maintain.  This will, in effect, help keep the decreasing number of farmers as main partners for the protection of habitats. The „Steigerung der Effizienz der Landnutzung durch die Schaffung praxistauglicher Bewirtschaftungseinheiten zur natur­schutzorientierten Grünlandpflege (C.2)“ [Increase of efficiency for the utilization of land by means of creating adequate management units for managing the grassland in an environmentally friendly way (C.2)], as well as the demonstration and implementation of proven methods are also objectives.

4. Solution approach: Creation of alternative habitats and new habitats

The objective of „C.3: Schaffung neuer halboffener Landschaften als geeignete Habi­tate für Arten der VSR“ [C.3: Creation of lightly forested semi-natural landscapes as adequate habitats for species of the Birds Directive] is to show and implement possibilities to create habitat areas for species of the Birds Directive in a sustainable way, especially if traditional orchards cannot be maintained any longer due to lacking active management.

5. Solution Approach: Positive Communication of Natura 2000

The objective is to communicate the positive values of Natura 2000. The objectives for the conservation of relevant bird species will be communicated. The following measures should promote the cultural heritage on a European level: „Kommunikation von Natura 2000 in den Gemeinden (D.6)“ [Communication of Natura 2000 in the municipalities (D.6)], „Natura 2000 Aktionen mit Naturschutzverbänden (D.7)“ [Natura-2000-actions with Nature Protection and Landscape Conservation Associations (D.7)], „Erlebnispfad "Streuobstwiese wohin? (D.8)“ [Adventure Trail “Traditional Orchard” (D.8)],

6. Solution approach: Further financing of Natura-2000-measures

The objective is to show and create financial means in which Natura-2000-measures can be implemented in the area for years to come. The municipalities appreciate the measure „Integration von speziellen Maßnahmen zur Aufwertung von Streuobstbeständen als Lebensstätten der zu schützenden Vogelarten in ein kommunales Ökokonto (A.4)“ [Integration of special measures for the exploitation of habitats of the bird species to be protected into an “ecological account” (A.4)]. This is supported by the measure „A.5: Zweckgebundene Spenden, Treuhandstiftung und eine Zustiftung "Streuobstwiesen des Mittleren Albvorlandes und Mittleren Remstales" bei der Stiftung Naturschutzfonds Baden-Württemberg“ [A.5: Earmarked donations, trust and an additional foundation "Traditional Orchards of the central foothills of the Swabian Alb and the central valley of the Rems River" as part of the Foundation Nature Protection Fund Baden-Württemberg].

Expected results (quantified as far as possible):

The synergetic effects of all actions will contribute to the conservation of the target species. Due to the sustainable improvement of the habitat quality, the actions will have a positive effect on the conservation of the overall habitat in one of the most important European cultural landscapes. The inhabitants of the area will see Natura 2000 as an important contribution to the conservation of the Central European Orchards and as a significant part of the European cultural heritage. Taking place on 245 ha of municipal orchards, the project will benefit the habitat, roughly 5900 habitat trees and habitat requisites for the species Collared Flycatcher, Eurasian Wryneck, Woodchat Shrike, Grey-Headed Woodpecker and Red-Backed Shrike. Approximately 4000 trees will be managed on privately owned land. After the end of the project, the actions will be replaced by corresponding measures within the “ecological account” or by standardized processes within the agro-environmental programmes of the State of Baden-Württemberg.

By creating lightly forested semi-natural landscapes on 55 ha, new habitats for the target species will be developed. The municipalities are very interested in this implementation and will continue the strategy after the end of the LIFE+ project. For this reason, it is guaranteed that the knowledge in the area of nature protection and landscape conservation is transferred accordingly.

The creation of improved management units guarantees a consistent and sustainable form of grassland utilization.  These units also increase the habitat quality and especially the food basis of the target species during breeding and rearing. As a driver for sustainable farm management and as a cost-efficient alternative for the conservation, new options for farms and local, commercial fruit tree growers can be established which guarantee a sustainable cooperation. This is essential for the positive perception of the public of the Natura-2000-area.

The numerous local initiatives will be informed of the Natura-2000-objectives. Furthermore, orchard multipliers for the complete area will be trained to transfer knowledge about the content and objectives of Natura 2000 to others.

In order to optimize both utilization options in the bird sanctuaries of the Swabian Alb foothills, the landscape conservation and recreation plans for the Natural Park of the Stuttgart Region will be harmonized.

Although there were many contributions from municipalities and citizens, Natura 2000 has sometimes been rejected in Baden-Württemberg due to the definition of bird sanctuaries. The measures of part D will improve the communication and will contribute to changing the public opinion about Natura 2000, ultimately leading to acceptance and support of the objectives.