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Restoring Agricultural Landscapes for Biodiversity and Resilience

Promoting restored agricultural landscapes to foster biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and support sustainable agriculture

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Agricultural Productivity

Biodiversity Enhancement

System Resilience

Sustainable
Practices

Environmental Health

Ecosystem
Rehabilitation

About Us

Restoration for a Sustainable Future

AgriRestore is a pioneering research initiative that addresses global challenges in biodiversity and ecosystem functionality of agricultural landscapes through cross-scale interdisciplinary research.

By leveraging cutting-edge research, remote sensing, and landscape restoration techniques, we aim to support the mitigation of global change effects and promote long-term sustainability in agriculture.

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Why AgriRestore?

Research for Resilient Ecosystems

Commitment to Long-Term Solutions

We focus on creating lasting, sustainable changes both in promoting evidence-based solutions at a science-policy interface and fostering knowledge transfer within the field of ecosystem restoration.

Focus on Agricultural Landscapes

We specialize in restoring agricultural ecosystems, an often-overlooked aspect of climate resilience and biodiversity enhancement.

Evidence-Based Research

We conduct comprehensive experiments and meta-analyses to build a robust evidence base for successful ecosystem restoration.

Creating Scalable Solutions

We use remote sensing, machine learning, and predictive, knowledge graph-based analytics to assess restoration measures at multiple spatial and temporal scales, ensuring our findings can be applied to different regions and agricultural contexts.

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Discover our Work

AgriRestore in Action

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Interested in our research?

Contact us for more information about our innovative research.

We also foster knowledge exchange and capacity development on the topic of ecological restoration at our Excellence Centre for Landscape and Habitat Restoration (ÉCLAIR). For more information about that or contribution suggestions, please visit ÉCLAIR.

RU 5: Theory and Synthesis: Developing a new theoretical framework for restoration ecology

To add real value to restoration science, RU 5 aims to develop a new theoretical framework for restoration ecology by synthesizing the underlying results of the thematic RUs 1 − 4 in a step-by-step process. Based on the overarching assessment of the studied ELR measures from RU 4, we aim to (i) develop a new theoretical framework and hypotheses for restoration science (RU 5.1), (ii) translate our results into evidence-based restoration (RU 5.2), and (iii) identify research gaps and future research needs (RU 5.3). This approach allows us to advance restoration science beyond the efforts made so far.

RU 4: Data-driven predictive analytics and overarching evaluation of restoration benefits, risks and uncertainties

The overall objective of RU 4 is to gain new insights through the joint analysis of findings and data from RUs 1 − 3. RU 4 bundles and evaluates landscape-scale effects, tests the generalisability of results and searches for effect patterns of ecosystem and landscape restoration (ELR) measures through the following approaches: (i) valuation ((non-)economic) of biodiversity and ecosystem services (RU 4.1), (ii) integration, causal relationships and transfer of results beyond the case study region (RU 4.2). 

Our aim is to develop data-driven approaches towards a knowledge-driven concept. In particular, spatio-temporal knowledge graphs and ontologies enable us to model the impact of ELR measures on the complex nature of biodiversity and ecosystem function to gain new insights based on predicting interactions and processes by considering temporal dynamics and spatial scalability in our comprehensive data basis.

RU 3: Comprehensive analysis of ecosystem and landscape restoration measures across (semi-)dry European agricultural landscapes

The overall scientific objective of RU 3 is to gain new insights into restoration of agricultural landscapes by expanding the spatial and temporal scale of observation. RU 3 will derive key indicators and (spatial and temporal) patterns of transition for sustainable successful restoration in two ways: (i) through a set of comprehensive literature based meta-analyses of the existing evidence base across (semi-)dry European agricultural landscapes (RU 3.1) and (ii) by (re-)evaluating long-term data from existing restoration experiments (RU 3.2). For RU 3.1. we will focus on both, temporary and permanent ELR measures. Data series for re-evaluation in RU 3.2 come primarily from projects aiming to restore permanent forb-rich vegetation structures e.g., grasslands or field margins. This approach allows for an assessment beyond the experimental study sites and study duration of the project.

RU 2: Effects of permanent landscape elements in agricultural landscapes

The main focus of RU 2 is on basic research related to a multitude of remote sensing sensors and methods in the special context of permanent ecosystem and landscape restoration measures. Specifically, the effects of woody and forb-rich linear landscape elements on biodiversity and related ecosystem function (incl. ecosystem services) and ecosystem processes as well as climate change resilience are investigated. In RU 2.1. we aim to develop novel remote sensing techniques, and fundamental analysis of remote sensing-based traits representing ecosystem function and ecosystem services of hedgerows and field margins. RU 2.2. evaluates and validates the effects of permanent linear landscape elements with an agricultural and ecological focus. Up- and downscaling will be possible by combining innovative remote sensing approaches using knowledge graphs and predictive models, enabling analyses of quantity and quality of linear permanent landscape structures in selected landscapes across Saxony-Anhalt.

RU 1: Effects of temporary measures

Within RU 1 we investigate restoration potential within agricultural landscapes of Saxony-Anhalt where Agri-Environmental Schemes are frequently implemented. We quantify current and long-lasting effects on selected functional organism groups, their interactions as well as colonization and dispersal processes. In addition, ecosystem services such as humus formation, nutrient cycling, soil moisture, erosion control, pollination, crop vitality, yield quality as well as ecosystem disservices such as pest damage will be quantified. 

Within RU 1.1, we study effects of current wildflower strips compared to arable fields with simple, species-poor field margins. In RU 1.2, we focus on the positive legacy effects of former wildflower strip sites. RU 1.3. will clarify in a replicated mesocosm experiment how above- and below-ground biodiversity and related ecosystem services are influenced by perennial wildflower strips, established with different seed mixtures and diversity levels. 

RU 0: Coordination and Management

Coordination and management of scientific as well as structural and practical activities are key tasks essential for successful implementation and realization of the added value of our research beyond the contributions of the thematic research units.

Thus, the main objective of the RU 0 is the provision of a basic infrastructure and overarching integration of all thematic RUs, especially with regard to fieldwork, data management and analysis, publication of the results, measures necessary for the continuation, and dissemination. This coordinating team also already works with the aims of RU5 in mind, forming the basis for the synthesis and further development of theory in restoration ecology.

In addition, RU 0 engages our collaboration partners and ensures the support of young scientists and the integration of our scientific achievements into teaching.

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