Learning from farmers’ needs: Identifying obstacles to the successful implementation of field margin measures in intensive arable regions

In intensive arable areas, field margins can constitute boundary biotopes that are valuable for natural resource conservation. In order to analyse the potential for implementing more field margin measures, 865 responding farmers in intensive arable areas in three German federal states were surveyed. Determinants of their willingness to participate in field margin measures were analysed by binary logistic regression. The farmers were asked about the optimal design of field margins, and these designs are discussed within the context of nature conservation goals. The results show that farmers implement field margins less often if they are risk-averse. Farmers already implementing grassland environmental measures and mulch seeding or extensification measures with regards to herbicide and fertiliser reductions on arable land more often adopt field margin measures. Regarding the design of field margins, farmers’ preferences hardly differ between the federal states, and they do not significantly conflict with nature conservation needs in intensive arable areas. The main fear is the risk of weed spreading. Therefore, farmers prefer sown field margins, mown at least once a year and treated with restricted herbicide applications. Certain features, such as seed mixture, mowing date and plant protection measures, could be adapted in order to minimise conflicts with nature conservation objectives.