MOSAIK: Semi-open pasture and ley — a research project on keeping the cultural landscape open

Abstract

The ``Mosaik'' project studies the effects of two new management concepts, on the one hand the creation of permanent pastures with low stocking densities (< 0.5 animals/ha) under an overall `semi-open pasture landscape' approach, and oil the other hand a spatial mosaic with cyclic, massive interventions in the vegetation cover (hoeing/mechanical cultivation) under an overall `ley landscape' approach. Both management approaches will lead to a semi-open landscape with scrub and a mosaic - both spatial and temporal - of habitat qualities for flora and fauna. This may pose a risk of colonization and extinction for some of the endangered species. The aim of the research project is to predict the local and regional risk of extinction of flora and fauna when such management systems are used. If the risk is low, intensive, expensive maintenance and simulation of traditional land use can be replaced by these generally simpler and cheaper management systems.