New space for biodiversity and valuable new habitat for birds is to be created on the farmland of the St. Johannsen penitentiary establishment. At the heart of the project are biodiversity measures that will enhance a wildlife corridor of national importance that runs across the Zihl plain and the arable land of the establishment. Further measures shall contribute to the development of a functioning and well-connected ecological infrastructure. The creation and maintenance of the measures should also create a new area of activity for the inmates.
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© Schweizerische Vogelwarte
Employees of the Swiss Ornithological Institute lend a hand with the hedge planting themselves
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Petra Horch
Joint inspection in the field.
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©
Petra Horch
An existing tree row.
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©
Marc Singer
A new pile of branches.
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©
Schweizerische Vogelwarte
When planning the hedge, space was left for structural elements such as this pile of stones.
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©
Schweizerische Vogelwarte
For now, only the sticks used to mark the shrubs are noticeable. But in just two years, the hedge will be clearly visible and will serve as a guide for wildlife.
©
© Schweizerische Vogelwarte
©
©
Petra Horch
©
©
Petra Horch
©
©
Marc Singer
©
©
Schweizerische Vogelwarte
©
©
Schweizerische Vogelwarte
Employees of the Swiss Ornithological Institute lend a hand with the hedge planting themselves
Joint inspection in the field.
An existing tree row.
A new pile of branches.
When planning the hedge, space was left for structural elements such as this pile of stones.
For now, only the sticks used to mark the shrubs are noticeable. But in just two years, the hedge will be clearly visible and will serve as a guide for wildlife.
Promoting biodiversity with the St. Johannsen penitentiary establishment
Promoting biodiversity and birds on farmland belonging to the prison service of the canton of BE
Domain
Conservation
Unit
Upswing for Birds
Topics
Habitat Promotion
Habitat
farmland
Project start
2024
Project status
ongoing
Project management
Jan Pfister
Project region
Bern
Details
Project objectives
According to the Red List, 48% of Swiss breeding bird species in farmland are threatened. The Swiss Ornithological Institute and the St. Johannsen Intervention Centre have launched a joint project to enhance biodiversity and create valuable bird habitats on the centre’s extensive grounds. The measures are designed to strengthen the region’s role as an ecological corridor and as a stopover and wintering area for migratory birds.
Methodology
In collaboration with the St. Johannsen Intervention Centre, the Swiss Ornithological Institute has created a package of measures covering around three hectares. The focus is on establishing high-quality biodiversity promotion areas. The measures include creating new habitats such as biodiversity-rich field margins, wildflower fallows and high-quality hedges, as well as enhancing existing features like hedgerows.
Significance
Located between Lakes Neuchâtel and Biel, the Zihl Plain is the only ecological corridor linking the Jura with the Swiss Plateau (Bernese Seeland) for 70 km, making it highly important for Switzerland’s ecological infrastructure. Besides its ecological value, the project also benefits residents of the St. Johannsen Intervention Centre. Creating and maintaining biodiversity areas can be flexibly integrated with farming work and may open up future opportunities, for example in nature conservation management.
Project partner(s)
Employees
Species concerned
Unit
Upswing for Birds
Together with partners, we carry out projects to enhance and secure habitats throughout Switzerland in the long term.
