Modern, multifunctional landscapes must provide a wide range of ecosystem functions and services. The diversity of species and ecosystems in these landscapes forms the essential foundation for these functions and services. Europe’s cultural landscapes occupy a special position in this regard. However, the agricultural productivity of modern landscapes is primarily determined by intensively managed agricultural systems with low biodiversity. As a result, there is a diametric contrast between biodiversity conservation and agricultural productivity in many landscapes. Innovative land-use and nature conservation concepts aim to resolve this conflict. The resulting mosaic landscapes are characterized by diverse habitats and ecosystems, such as intensively and extensively farmed areas, fallow lands, and semi-natural and natural vegetation.
This project proposal aims to investigate the relative importance of different habitats and ecosystems in mosaic landscapes for biodiversity along a landscape complexity gradient. The goal is to identify the characteristics of optimally configured landscapes for the promotion of selected species groups and their ecosystem services.
