Study regions Kraichgau and Schwäbische Alb

Our project will be exemplified for two pilot regions in Southwest Germany which clearly differ as for the kind and intensity of agricultural use and for their climatic conditions. Results and conclusions obtained for these two study regions will be exemplary for extended agricultural landscapes in Germany and Central Europe.

The Kraichgau with its fertile loess soil is an intensively used agricultural landscape. Due to its location in a basin surrounded by low mountain ranges, the region is characterised by a mild climate with comparatively high temperatures and moderate precipitation. The Mittlere Schwäbische Alb (Central Swabian Alb) is a karst region characterised by extensively used grassland and crop lands. Its climate is cooler and wetter than in the Kraichgau because of the higher altitude and orographic effects.