The aim of the Schorfheide-Chorin project was to develop theoretical and illustrated examples of practical methodologies and models on how to integrate nature conservation targets into ordinary farm management. Although this aim also included conventional conservation and restoration of (semi-)natural habitats within agricultural landscapes, the project focused on the definition and implementation of conservation targets for the arable fields themselves.

Within the project MODAM was used to model different site-specific scenarios of sustainable landuse systems and as that was part of a far reaching participatory approach to integrate scientific based nature conservation into arable landscapes. The book published at the end of the project presents a comprehensive methodology to integrate important conservation targets into the 'normal' routines of modern agriculture.

The maps show the field specific impact on N-leaching and amphibians of two model runs at the endpoints of the trade off function in the graph. The graph shows the trade off between the average farm risk of nitrogen leaching the total gross margin of the farm, calculated on the basis of nitrogen leaching restrictions implemented in a farm LP. Production activities were evaluated for their impact of N-leaching and other indicators among which the risk of disturbance of amphibians.

Literature:
Flade, M., H. Plachter, R. Schmidt and A. Werner. 2006. Nature Conservation in Agricultural Ecosystems. Quelle & Meyer Verlag, Wiebelsheim. 706 p.
Meyer-Aurich, A. 2001. Entwicklung von umwelt- und naturschutzgerechten Verfahren der ackerbaulichen Landnutzung für das Biosphärenreservat Schorfheide-Chorin. Agrarökologie (Bern, Hannover) 41: 1-137

Zander, P. 2003. Agricultural land use and conservation options : a modelling approach 222 S.
Zander, P. 2006. Modelling for a participatory development of sustainable land use systems. - In: Flade, M. [Hrsg.] ; Plachter, H. [Hrsg.] ; Schmidt, R. [Hrsg.] ; Werner, A. [Hrsg.]: Nature conservation in agricultural ecosystems : results of the Schorfheide-Chorin research project: 573-612; Wiebelsheim (Quelle & Meyer).