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Use of indigenous seeds and plants
Meadow from the Swabian mountains, which is cut twice a year. © Dr. Gottfried Briemle,
Aulendorf
Involved sectors
Agriculture, Water management, Spatial planning, Nature protection, Transport
Affected habitats
Areas for settlements and transport
Description
During renaturation measures and other construction projects (construction of roads,
railways and watercourses, and landscaping), but also in gardens and city parks, it is
important not only to select site-appropriate species but also to use indigenous seeds
and plants of local origin. The use of non-local seed may result in locally specific
adaptations and regional biotopes being squeezed out or impaired, which may have a
negative impact on other organisms, such as nectar-collecting and pollinating insects.
Furthermore, some individual species may behave in an invasive manner. The use of
indigenous seeds also helps to safeguard biotope-specific species diversity and promote
native wild plants, thus contributing to the biotope network and the preservation of
genetic diversity in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Impact
Impact in
particular on
Ecological
impact
Improvement or
preservation of
habitats
Insects
Some insect species depend on native species of plant. By using
specific species and with appropriate management, the habitat is
enhanced, especially on spaces along transport routes.
Element of
ecological
network
Other
Time of
realisation for
measure
Impact scope
Species-rich areas along transport routes can act as stepping stone
biotopes in the biotope network. Indigenous species are particularly
valuable.
Preservation of genetic diversity (Convention on Biological Diversity).
Months: Some months will elapse from the time of the preparatory
measures to the development of the full impact during the vegetation
period.
Local (municipality): The use of indigenous seeds should be promoted
transregionally in order to increase the impact of individual measures.
Implementation
Implementation Days: Can be well-integrated into conventional landscaping measures.
period
In "greening" measures, appropriate seeds must be used.
Frequency
Recurring: This requires the implementation of a long-term strategy.
Economic and legal aspects
Costs
Socioeconomic
impacts
Sources of
financing
Very low (less than 1'000 EUR): The use of indigenous seeds and
plants may result in higher costs in some cases.
Low: Seed production of indigenous wild species can offer alternative
income generation opportunities for farmers in the region (domestic
value-added instead of seed imports).
Public: local, Public: regional, Public: national, Public: European
According to the Nature Conservation Act, the use of alien plants may
Legal situation be prohibited, so the use of indigenous plants and seed should be
appropriately regulated by the relevant nature conservation authorities.
Further information
Evaluation
Information
In Bavaria, technical recommendations have been developed on the
use of indigenous plants and seeds, which should serve as guidelines
for nature conservation authorities. As EU rules on the marketing of
seeds and seed mixtures exist, amendment of national legislation may
be required.
Germany: Further information at:
http://www.stmugv.bayern.de/umwelt/naturschutz/autochthon/index.htm