Collaboration
Cooperations
Overview
The project partners, consisting of the coordinating beneficiary and the associated beneficiaries, are dependant on the support of cooperation partners to implement the project.
Cooperation partners have a special position in the project. They work independently, and therefore are not being paid via the project. Still, they contribute to the success of the project by working together with us to achieve common goals.
Research: Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence
Research is an important building block in evidence-based nature conservation, as there are always new challenges and questions that arise in a constantly evolving environment. Synergies between research and applied nature conservation are created by cooperations with interested research institutions.
One of these research cooperations is dedicated to the species Ruff and Common Snipe. We want to understand the migration routes and timing, as well as the breeding biology in space and time of these species. For this purpose, we collaborate with the Department of Ornithology of the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence in Seewiesen since 2023.
Ruffs and Snipes are caught and equipped with GPS transmitters so we can track them on their annual migration. Also, their resting and breeding populations are determined. With the data obtained in this way, area management can be adapted to the specific breeding biology of these species, and protection needs on the migration routes can be identified and addressed.
Another collaboration project with Prof. Bart Kempenaers and his Department of Ornithology is focused on the Northern Lapwing. Kempenaers and his team set up a comprehensive study on the breeding and dispersal behaviour of a population of Northern Lapwings at a moorland site in the Lake Dümmer area.
As part of the ongoing research, adult Lapwings are equipped with GPS transmitters to study the species' dispersal behaviour and year-round movements, and to improve understanding of individuals' habitat needs during the migratory and wintering periods. These data will also be used to increase knowledge on local habitat use of Lapwings at Dümmer, which will help to improve conservation management at this site.
Agriculture
Meadow birds depend on wet to moist, very extensively used meadows and pastures as breeding habitats. Specifically, they need:
- High water tables with temporarily flat-flooded sites
- Low or intermediate trophic level of soil
- Mowing and grazing compliant to nesting distribution
- Farming intensity adjusted for optimal vegetation structure
On the one hand, these factors are not attractive for farmers, as they mean significantly lower yields, and therefore less money. On the other hand, conventional agriculture with high fertiliser rates, dense homogeneous plant stands and frequent mowing does not go well with meadow bird conservation.
That is why farmers, as managers of the meadows, are important partners in meadow bird conservation. We work together with tenants and farmers' associations to manage meadows and pastures in a way that is profitable for both birds and farmers. Part of this project is the development of a sustainable agricultural business model that can also be applied beyond the borders of our project areas.
West Africa
Cooperations with stakeholders in West Africa are currently being developed. The cooperations will include working with civil society actors, academic institutions, statutory agencies and public bodies.
All interested stakeholders from West African countries can contact our team to discuss and explore opportunities for cooperation. The project's geographical scope and timeframe offer great opportunities for long-term partnerships.
New information will be coming soon!