28th SOIL Conference of the Working Community of the Danube Regions - Soil Ecosystem Services in Agricultural Landscapes. 15th and 16th of September 2021 in Tulln

Soil Ecosystem Services in Agricultural Landscapes
on the example of Hedgerows

Conrtibutions to Soilprotection, to enhanced Productivity, Climate Change Adaptation & Biodiversity

15. und 16. September 2021 - UFT Tulln

Excursions to the Lighthousefarms of Franz Binder & Alfred Grand.

In this conference participants shared and discussed recent information on the vital role of hedgerows in agricultural landscapes in the Danube region and other parts of the world. It is well and for long established that hedgerows contribute significantly to improve micro climate and wind erosion control in open landscapes. This has been the main motivation for regions such as Lower Austria in the middle of the 20th century to assign their land reform authorities to support the development of hedgerows in cooperation with the farmers. Since then, numerous other functions and ecosystem services of hedgerows have been explored, including benefits for crop production, climate change adaptation, soil protection, biodiversity and flood prevention. Recent studies and practical experience impressively demonstrate the multiple functions of hedgerows.

This conference provided a forum for scientists and innovative practitioners to share their data, views and experiences, and to discuss future perspectives and further developments. Presentations were given at BOKU´s University and Research Centre Tulln (UFT). The program also included related presentations on soil monitoring. Real world examples of hedgerows and their services were demonstrated and discussed during field excursions to the demonstration farm Binder in Untermallebarn and to the Grand Farm at Absdorf. The conference served as open forum for the exchange of ideas, knowledge and know-how between different groups of stakeholders interested in hedge rows and their benefits for humans and the environment.