Study area

 

The three model regions are distinguished by contrasting characteristics and trends.

The natural attributes of the Lausitz, for example, in terms of soil quality and precipitation levels, are largely unfavourable for tillage. The forecast changes to the regional climate, particularly with respect to precipitation over the coming years, will serve to worsen the situation, with increased occurrences of drought expected.

The loess hills of Mittelsachsen are characterised by intensive, large scale tillage on particularly good sites. The agricultural enterprises in this region are often considerably larger than found elsewhere in Germany. The forest area, by contrast, is comparatively low and there are few natural, structure-enhancing elements present within the landscape. In both regions a dramatic decline in the local populations has been apparent since the reunification of Germany.

The population of the southern part of the Hamburg metropolitan area on the other hand continues to grow steadily. This, inevitably, is resulting in a growing number of conflicts over the most appropriate use of land in the region. The focus of the AgroForNet activities undertaken in the metropolitan region centre around highlighting how innovative wood-based value creation networks can be developed at the urban-rural interface amidst a growing population and increasing tensions over land use, how regional value creation can be improved and how the supply of a large city with wood from the region can be improved.