New ‘Water-Soil-Agroforestry’ project pursues holistic approaches - On the way to a climate-adapted landscape
The new nature park project ‘Water, Soil, Agroforestry’ is dedicated to the urgent task of shaping the landscape in the southern Black Forest in such a way that it is optimally equipped for climatic changes. The nature park has a wide-ranging ‘toolbox’ for this purpose. The project is largely made possible by the support of a group of foundations.
The special cultural landscape of the southern Black Forest has always been characterised by people, animals and nature. Since land has been farmed, change and adaptation have inevitably taken place there. With increasing climatic challenges, the design and utilisation of the landscape is once again becoming a key factor in better coping with drought and extreme weather events.
Naturpark Südschwarzwald e. V. would like to meet the coming challenges together with farmers and local authorities and implement existing solutions with all those involved. ‘Landscape conservation and maintenance is practically the DNA of the nature park. The cultural landscape has grown and can therefore also be changed again to meet new challenges,’ says Florian Schmid, who heads the “Water, Soil, Agroforestry” project at the Southern Black Forest Nature Park.
During the five-year project period, which begins in 2025, innovative measures in the areas of decentralised water retention, humus-promoting cultivation and agroforestry are to be implemented in the five districts of the nature park. The project aims to show how climate-resilient landscapes can be designed to ensure agricultural productivity, biodiversity and the protection of settlements from flooding in the long term. The project is currently being launched in the town of Stühlingen in the district of Waldshut.
Agriculture under pressure
Current climate trends are characterised by increasingly dry periods and more heavy rainfall events. This increases the stress on agricultural land, which is confronted with both too much and too little water. The aim of the new project is to make agriculture fit for the future and thus secure regional food production.
The nature park's toolbox is packed and focuses on three key points: Water, soil and agroforestry. Florian Schmid explains: ‘We want to combine different approaches so that we can act appropriately depending on the initial situation.’ Even more important to those involved in the project, however, is the involvement of local people: ‘Our main aim is to develop customised solutions together with farmers, municipalities, authorities and experts.’
Support from foundations
Naturpark Südschwarzwald e. V. offers ideal conditions for the project thanks to its many years of experience and close networking in the region. Possible conflicts of interest are to be discussed in order to find and organise room for manoeuvre. At the same time, the local population is to be actively involved in shaping the landscape. This approach has also convinced six foundations, whose extensive support is making the complex project possible in the first place: the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation, the Robert Bosch Foundation, the CHRYSANTIL Foundation, the Baden-Württemberg Climate Protection Foundation, the Josef Wund Foundation and the Heidehof Foundation. The Coordination Centre for Agroforestry Systems Research (kAFo) at the University of Hohenheim is providing scientific support for the implementation of these measures, funded by the Vector Foundation.
Michael von Winning, Chairman of the Eva Mayr-Stihl Foundation, explains the foundations' motivation: ’Agriculture in Germany is under a variety of pressures. These include increasing weather extremes, especially droughts and heavy rainfall, deteriorating soils and the loss of biodiversity. This is precisely where the ‘Water, Soil, Agroforestry’ project comes in and offers great potential: the Southern Black Forest Nature Park is the perfect platform for the necessary dialogue, pursues an innovative concept and has a wealth of experience with the issues and stakeholders. We hope to provide insights and impetus in this model region that will have an impact far beyond the nature park.’
The ‘Water, Soil, Agroforestry’ project is financed by various foundations and as a project of the state of Baden-Württemberg as part of the CAP Strategic Plan Germany 2023 - 2027 with funds from the European Union as part of the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and with funds from the state of Baden-Württemberg.
