The project

Traditionally-managed rice fields provide suitable winter habitats for many wading bird species. However, modern rice field management shifted towards monotonous parcels, the usage of large amounts of fertilisers and pestizides, and a strict water management. As a result, modern rice fields lack insects and are no suitable habitats for Black-tailed Godwit and Ruff anymore.

Our project supports complementary actions that will test and develop strategies to combine modern rice farming and ecosystem services. Based on these strategies, a sustainable rice field management system for West Africa and also staging sites in southwest Europe will be developed. We will provide suggestions for long-term strategy plans that include co-funding of the European Union.