Rhinluch (north-west Brandenburg, Germany) is a landscape originally built from peatlands, through drainage converted into grasslands, which were used as intensive animal farming in GDR times. Nutrient cycles became more closed through reduced livestock intensity after the reunification, and in parallel, arable production for food (crops, asparagus) and green biomass (energy) intensified. For both, quality food and non-food short chain supply and transformation has been established. Semi-intensive livestock and intensive cropping coexists with designated areas for nature protection, which harbour one of the main crane resting areas in Europe, a trigger for regional tourism. However, greenhouse gas emmissions due to the drainage required for the grassland use account for a negative image of the land use system as climate sinner. An established network of regional stakeholders (including farmers with different specialisation, processing companies, water and soil agency, nature protection and tourism related stakeholders) seeks for better cooperation across systems. More insights into functional interdependencies and a regional assessment of ES and resilience is expected to promote a clearer understanding of sustainable intensification, and future pathways towards balancing synergies and trade-offs from a regional and multiple user perspective, as well as its communication to public and policies.
Rhinluch (Germany)
