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VLM WP3

This pilot project is part of a study led by the University of Oldenburg, which is evaluating the performance of regional and non-regional seed mixtures under local field conditions in the North Sea region. Seed mixtures from Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden are being tested to observe their establishment and development during the course of the EXPBIO project.

Flower mixtures from Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Belgium are sown side by side on a former cornfield and compared.

Main content

Location

Oostkamp (West-Flanders)

Work planned/methods tested

Soil samples were taken and tested to estimate the nitrogen (N) and organic matter content. During the summer seasons of 2026 and 2027, the vegetation in the various plots will be inventoried. Within each plot, a permanent square will be selected and, during the vegetation period, the insects that visit the species Alchemilla millefolium will be observed several times.

Aim of work

This work is part of an Expbio research project, led by the Oldenburg Botanical Garden and university.

The objective is to compare flower visitor activity in flowering meadows established with seed mixtures of different origins, by focusing on Achillea millefolium pollinator visitation can be assessed consistently across all treatments.

Status right now

The vegetation on the plots is developing.

Half of the plot is sown for the first time in spring 2025, however the establishment success was badly influenced by the drought in spring 2025.

The other half of the plot is sown in autumn 2025.