Project "Occurrence and genetic diversity of arable weed flora on farms in the canton of Basel-Stadt"
In the canton of Basel-Stadt, extensive studies on plant biodiversity have been conducted, with the exception of arable land areas. An assessment of arable weed flora has yet to be carried out. Both internationally and nationally, there is a dramatic decline in species diversity. A study is still needed for Basel-Stadt to determine which species are still present, how they can be supported and lost species restored, the role of climate change in these processes, and which measures might motivate farmers to engage in the protection of arable wild plants. The associated supportive framework conditions also need to be defined.
This project aims to:
- Identify species—endangered species or those with significant habitat or nutritional functions that need protection;
- Formulate strategies and measures for their conservation;
- recommend promising methods for their preservation and promotion in practice.
Implementation strategy:
- Survey of existing species;
- Development of a target concept for arable weed flora;
- Implementation of practical methods for the conservation and promotion of protected species in cooperation with farmers;
Establishment of long-term monitoring.
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In the second year of the project (2025), a QField application will be developed for field- and point-specific recording of arable wild plant species across all arable fields in the canton of Basel-Stadt. Field data will be provided by the Ebenrain Center of the canton of Basel-Landschaft (BL). Survey periods are scheduled for May and August.
In the following months, the collected data will be evaluated and compared with previous findings. If necessary, the QField application will be optimized. Initial recommendations for improved arable farming practices to support arable wild plant species will be prepared and made available to farm managers upon request.
The QField application is being developed by Bernhard Freyer (Institute of Agroecology), who is also responsible for data evaluation and reporting. The recording of arable wild plant species is coordinated by Michael Ryf and his team (Atelier für Natur und Umwelt, Bern).
Base funding is provided by the Horticultural Department of the Canton of Basel-Stadt (commissioning authority of the study).
The Christoph Merian Foundation (CMS) supports the development of the QField application and large-scale monitoring, while the Foundation for the Promotion of Botanical Knowledge in Basel-Stadt funds the related expenses.
We thank the Canton of Basel-Stadt / Horticultural Department for commissioning the study.
We thank the Ebenrain Center of the Canton of Basel-Landschaft for providing the field data.
We thank the Christoph Merian Foundation (CMS) for financially supporting the QField development and monitoring.
We thank the Foundation for the Promotion of Plant Knowledge Basel-Stadt for financially supporting the second survey in August.
Further information
Contact / Project team at Institute of Agroecology
- Bernhard Freyer (Project leader and implementation)
Survey team
Project Partner:
- Michael Ryf: Head of the survey team
- UNA Atelier for Nature and Environment
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